April 29, 2022
(Photo source: Western Communications)
Western has placed first in Canada and third in the world in a global ranking of universities working toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Announced this week, the Times Higher Education 2022 Impact Rankings assess more than 1,500 post-secondary institutions from 110 countries.
(Front, seated) National Centre for Audiology director Susan Scollie, Leonard Cornelisse; and (back row, left to right) Steve Beaulac, Richard Seewald, Sheila Moodie, Shane Moodie and Marlene Bagatto (submitted photo)
A team of researchers at Western’s National Centre for Audiology, led by director Susan Scollie, has won a Governor General’s Innovation Award for developing the world’s first paediatric hearing aid prescription software.
(Photo source: Western Communications)
Western's spending commitment in the coming budget year includes significant investment in enrolment growth, faculty and staff expansion, EDI initiatives, research and infrastructure, as the university builds on the momentum to fulfill priorities outlined in its strategic plan.
(L-R) Uma Venkatasubramanian, Roberto Budzinski and Kathleen Lyons (Submitted photo)
Uma Venkatasubramanian, Kathleen Lyons and Roberto Budzinski are the three inaugural research fellows of the recently established Western Institute for Neuroscience, conducting breakthrough research on brain functions.
Frozen water. (Photo source: Maksim Romashkin/Pexels)
Engineering researchers have teamed up with Core Geoscience Services Inc. to investigate the use of cryopurification – water treatment by freezing – for treating contaminated water in a mine in Northern Canada.
(L-R) Eastelle Ding, Aaron Cheung, Clara Sun, Ronald Cheung and Lydia Ji (submitted photos)
A group of Western students took home one of the top prizes at the Proteus Innovation Competition for their commercialization plan for novel CT scan software that can accomplish in minutes what current technology takes hours to do – with less computer processing power.
Working at Western
Community members standing alongside garden plots on campus. (Photo source: Western Sustainability)
Western Community Garden
There are nine plots available for campus community members at the Western Community Garden this year. Campus community members can sign up to request a plot, and a draw will be held May 9 to assign the available planters. Join the collaborative garden initiative with Western Sustainability, Facilities Management, EnviroWestern, SOGS, and the Indigenous Student Centre.
Sharon Hodgson to serve as Ivey dean until 2024
Sharon Hodgson will lead the Ivey Business School until June 30, 2024. Hodgson was originally appointed to the role for a four-year term beginning in 2019.
Linda Miller to lead SGPS for another year
Linda Miller has agreed to extend her appointment in the role of vice-provost of the School Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) for an additional year, through June 30, 2023. She has served as vice-provost since the formation of SGPS in 2008.
Registration open for summer courses
Western Continuing Studies courses are designed to provide an array of choices for lifelong learning. All courses are online and are advance funded for eligible employees through Western's educational assistance plan.
Travel and learn this summer in Trois-Pistoles
Gain an unmatched leadership skillset, explore your potential in technology and design, or join us for an enriching cultural experience as we return to in-person French Immersion learning in Trois-Pistoles.
Eid al-Fitr: Parking lot closures
On Monday, May 2, Western will welcome London’s Muslim community to our campus, gathering at Alumni Stadium to observe Eid al-Fitr. To accommodate this event, the South Valley Lot and Huron Flats will be closed. Employees may wish to adjust their travel times on Monday morning and park in lots other than Huron Flats and South Valley.
Photo of the Week
Facilities Management recently installed a new nest box for ospreys on top of the stadium lights on campus. (Photo source: Ric Symmes, Nature London)
Coming Up
Riker Mounts (detail) from the Zoological Collections, Department of Biology. (Image source: McIntosh Gallery)
April 28 to June 18
Insect as Idea
This exhibition at the McIntosh Gallery examines insects within a multispecies framework, considering the role that they play throughout ecological systems. How have we learned from insects in the past and what can they tell us about the future? If we read insects as ideas made manifest, what does their disappearance say about human-earth relationships? This exhibit, curated by Helen Gregory and biology professor Nina Zitan, features insect specimens from the department of biology’s zoological collections.
Thursday, May 5 (11:30 a.m.)
Language, Land, and Love: Sharing Stories with Eli Baxter
Explore history, science, math, education, philosophy, law and spiritual teachings, outlining the cultural significance of language to Anishinaabay identity with Anishinaabay Elder and Knowledge Keeper Eli Baxter.
May 2 to 8
Mental Health Awareness Week
Western encourages you to take the time to support your mental health through a variety of resources and events. This includes a one-week emotional wellness challenge, a 15-minute mental health e-module available through OWL, and recorded fitness sessions in the areas of meditation, yoga and mindfulness can be accessed on the Living Well @ Western page.
Western in the News
Two trainees, Mariya Goncheva, PhD, and Corby Fink, PhD, inside the biocontainment level 3 facility in ImPaKT. (Photo source: Crystal Mackay/Western Communications)
The London Free Press
Inside the London biosafety lab where COVID is studied
A rare look inside the ImPaKT facility during a routine shutdown highlights how Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s level three biocontainment laboratory is helping researchers better understand COVID-19.
TVO: The Thread (18:42)
The School Experience
In this month's episode about the school experience for students, educators and caregivers during the pandemic, Faculty of Education professor Prachi Srivastava explains the impacts from school closures and disruptions.
Global News: The West Block
Speculation by Canadians 'absolutely' playing role in red-hot home prices: Expert
The average price for a home in Canada continues to soar. Ivey Business School professor Mike Moffatt discusses whether measures introduced in the recent federal budget will be enough to cool the hot market.
CBC The National (43:11)
The Moment: A harmless case of ‘whodunnit’
Music Library director Brian McMillan and Taylor Library’s user services manager Crystal Mills discuss the mystery surrounding intricate origami animals being left in Western’s libraries.
Commentary
Cultured Pallets: "SAIB” (Photo source: Soheila Esfahani)
Visual Arts professor Soheila Esfahani explains how ornamentation in Islamic art shows the movement and transformation of culture.
