August 27, 2021
Image by Steven Anderson, Western Communications
Western has strengthened its COVID-19 vaccination policy by eliminating the option for regular testing except under rare exemptions, following a recent Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health letter strongly recommending mandatory vaccinations in all postsecondary institutions in the province.
Photo by Ekaterina Kurchavova, Special to Western News
An award-winning electrochemist, Samantha Gateman is the new chair in radiation-induced chemistry at Western. Her research will be funded through a new $1.1-million grant from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels
Volunteers and event organizers in parasport events or sport clubs often lack awareness of disability-specific issues according to new research led by Laura Misener, director of the school of kinesiology.
Photo by Roberto Nickson via Pexels
Vaccine equity must go beyond securing equal vaccination for all. It needs to consider distinct populations’ exposure to COVID-19 and prioritize high-risk areas by allocating more vaccines, according to Kate Choi, director of Western’s Centre for Research on Social Inequality.
Sydney Warner Brooman, BA'18 (Sarah Bodri). Cover art for The Pump by London, Ont. artist Jeremy Bruneel
Sydney Warner Brooman, BA’18, wrote The Pump as part of their thesis project. The short fiction collection, to be released Sept. 7, explores the isolation of small towns, queerness and making sense of one's upbringing.
Photo by Toralf Thomassen via Unsplash
Canada is an outlier in requiring physiotherapists to pass clinical licensing exams after graduating from their university programs, according to new Western-led research calling for a re-evaluation of the usefulness of the competency examination.
Working at Western
Campus Police now operating as Western Special Constable Service
The name change from Campus Community Police Service to Western Special Constable Service was required to comply with amendments to Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act designed to help the public better differentiate between public police and special constables.
On-campus COVID-19 vaccination and testing centre
The vaccination and testing centre is open in the Graphic Services Building for any registered student or current employee with an active Western username and password. Upcoming vaccination and testing availability are Monday, Aug. 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 31 and Wednesday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 2 through Sunday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Photo of the Week
Red doors at McIntosh Gallery. Photo by Keri Ferguson, Western Communications
Coming Up
Image from Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28 (7 p.m.)
Summer Shakespeare: Cymbeline in the Anthropocene
The 41st running of Western's Summer Shakespeare is part of a global initiative, Cymbeline in the Anthropocene. This modern-dress version of Shakespeare’s historical romance brings to the foreground the necessity of environmental stewardship, creating a performance perfect for a summer evening. The performance takes place outdoors behind the International & Graduate Affairs Building. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2
Welcome back to campus
Western is hosting a variety of welcome back to campus events for employees. A select number of food trucks will be on Concrete Beach on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Thursday, Sept. 2, there will be 13 food trucks on Oxford Drive (rain or shine) – tickets are required and can be picked up on Aug. 31 or Sept. 1 on Concrete Beach. The food trucks are free for Western employees.
Thursday, Sept. 2 (6 p.m.)
Fixing digital locks
Canadian Repair Coalition and the Innovative Deviance Lab are hosting a town hall on the impacts of "digital locks", bits of code embedded in our devices, appliances, vehicles, and other belongings. Presented by the Faculty of Information & Media Studies and Big Data at the Margins.
Western in the News
Photo by Tierra Mallorca via Unsplash
Toronto Star
The affordability crisis: Why is everything suddenly getting so expensive?
Mike Moffat, Ivey Business School assistant professor, says the federal government is limited in policies related to affordable housing.
The Agenda
Is COVID-19 a brain disease?
Neuroscientist Adrian Owen says if even 10 per cent of the population have long-term cognitive challenges from COVID-19, it would be a big economic and societal problem.
London Free Press
Citizens, experts reflect on deadly Goderich tornado – 10 years on
David Sills, executive director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, says stronger tornadoes are easier to catch using satellite imagery.
London Free Press
'An athlete is an athlete': Academics set to examine Paralympics coverage
Laura Misener, director of the school of kinesiology, launched a three-year research project with a goal to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for Canadian parasport athletes.
Commentary
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. Photo by DoD News via Wikimedia Commons
Political science professor Christopher Alcantara on why the prime minister decided to call a federal election and whether the Liberal party will benefit from the early election call.
