September 16, 2022
Cornel Grey, a new professor in the department of gender, sexuality and women’s studies, is developing course content for the minor in Black Studies. (Photo source: Dhoui Chang)
The department of gender, sexuality and women’s studies has launched a new minor in Black Studies. The courses offer a variety of perspectives in Black history, culture and heritage and supports students in learning more about the Black Canadian experience.
The inner region of the Orion Nebula as seen by the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam instrument. (Image source: NASA, ESA, CSA, PDRs4All ERS Team)
Western researchers were part of an international team that captured the most detailed and sharpest images ever taken of the inner region of the Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery situated 1,350 light-years away from Earth. The new images shed light on the heritage of interstellar planetary systems and how stars and planets form.
Valerie Oosterveld (photo source: Hilary Gauld) and Christopher Alcantara (photo source: Chris Kindratsky/Western Communications) are recipients of Royal Society of Canada Awards.
Seven faculty members are being honoured as part of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) class of 2022. Christopher Alcantara and Valerie Oosterveld have been named RSC award recipients and they join RSC fellows Kim Baines, Aaron Fenster, William Fisher, and Adrian Owen, as well as RSC member Arghya Paul.
The Western Academy for Advanced Research is charting an ambitious new course to address major issues facing humanity in Canada and around the world. (Photo source: Western Communications)
The new Western Academy for Advanced Research brings together Western faculty and international scholars to address complex challenges and engage with the public, government and private sectors. During its inaugural year two themes will be explored: the mathematics of neural networks and climate resilient infrastructure and buildings.
A monarch butterfly is seen on a flower. (Photo source: Jeremy McNeil)
Climate change has wreaked havoc with many species’ life cycles and now a pair of Western master's students are shedding light on how it’s affecting the survival of the Monarch butterfly and the armyworm.
Gregory Kopp (left) and David Sills (right) of the Northern Tornadoes Project are featured on the cover of the new issue of the Alumni Gazette. (Photo source: Tyler Gray)
The latest Alumni Gazette is now available online and will be in alumni mailboxes around the world next week. With the Northern Tornadoes Project featured in the cover story, the new issue also features stories on flood research, the Bell-Western 5G partnership and campus sustainability initiatives.
Working at Western
Don Wright Faculty of Music (Photo source: Western Communications)
Doors Open London
The London community will have the opportunity to visit four campus locations during Doors Open London. The Brain and Mind Institute, Don Wright Faculty of Music, The D.B. Weldon Library and the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory will be open to the public Sept. 17-18.
Call for nominations: Honorary degrees
The Senate honorary degrees committee is inviting members of the community to nominate individuals meriting the award of an honorary degree.
2022 Award of Excellence deadline approaching
The deadline is Friday, Sept. 30 to nominate an individual staff member or a team for a 2022 Award of Excellence.
Buy a meal and help a neighbour in need
Out of respect for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral service on Monday, Sept. 19, the in-person United Way Elgin Middlesex 3M Harvest Lunch London event has been cancelled, but you can still pay it forward by purchasing a meal for a neighbour in need.
Featured job opportunities
Search by the job posting ID to learn more and apply or share with your network.
Associate Director, Academic Support & Engagement, Student Experience (28130)
Provide leadership to the writing support centre, learning development and success, and accessible education departments.
Accounting Assistant II, Food Services (28110)
Provide financial and administrative assistance to the hospitality services leadership team.
Human Resources Specialist, Facilities Management (28109)
Develop and implement a range of human resources processes and strategies to ensure client-focused and responsive services are delivered.
Photo of the Week
Alumni Stadium was purple and proud on Sept. 10 as the Mustangs played under the lights in front of a sold-out crowd, battling their way to a 35-11 victory over the Queen’s Golden Gaels. (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Coming Up
Buy a smile cookie at campus Tim Hortons locations in support of the United Way campaign. (Image source: Pixabay)
September 19-22 (while quantities last)
Buy a smile cookie and support United Way Elgin Middlesex
Buy a $1 smile cookie with all proceeds supporting the United Way campaign at Tim Hortons locations in Natural Science, Health Science, or the University Community Centre (UCC). Large quantity orders can be placed at the UCC Tim Hortons location.
September 20 (9:00-11:30 a.m.)
Riverfest 22 Water Walk
Join the Anishinaabe Water Walk, led by Dr. Carol Hopkins and her mother Irene Peters. Learn about the origins and healing nature of these water walks, as part of Riverfest '22. Meet in the Medway parking lot behind Elgin Hall.
September 21 (12:00-1:00 p.m.)
Western Heads East webinar: The future of probiotics and fermented foods
Join Drs. Gregor Reid and Jeremy Burton, leading faculty from Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and scientists at Lawson Health Research Institute as they discuss how probiotic supplemented food is making a difference to the lives of people in Africa and Canada.
September 22 (events throughout the day)
"Bike to Campus" day
Celebrate World Car-Free Day and bike, walk, or roll to campus. Join in a number of events throughout the day, including a bike fair and breakfast booth, campus walking and cycling tours and an afternoon meetup.
September 23-25
Homecoming
Western's 73rd Homecoming takes place on campus this year with some virtual programming for those who cannot attend in person.
Western in the News
Physics and astronomy professor Els Peeters. (Submitted photo)
CNN
New 'breathtaking' Webb images to reveal the secrets of star birth
Physics and astronomy professor Els Peeters was “blown away” by images of the Orion Nebula taken by the James Webb Space Telescope, which reveal intricate details about how stars and planetary systems form.
The Decibel: Globe and Mail Podcast
Why storms are more destructive now
The storms we are seeing in Canada are changing. David Sills, executive director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, explains how prepared we are to handle damage from severe weather.
NPR
What does the future hold for the Commonwealth under King Charles III?
King’s professor David Webster reflects on what the monarchy might look like in Commonwealth countries like Canada under the reign of King Charles III.
The Globe and Mail
More than three million Ontarians could be without a family doctor by 2025
Millions of Ontarians may not have a family doctor in the next three years, according to Dr. Kamila Premji, who compiled the data as part of her current PhD work at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Commentary
An aerial view of a neighbourhood in Ontario. (Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)
With a number of young Canadians grappling with housing affordability, sociology professor Kate Choi looks at whether moving in with aging parents may be a solution and who benefits most from this arrangement.
