December 8, 2023
Aerial view of Talbot College and the Music Building (Photo source: Steve Anderson/Western Communications)
The QS (Quacquarelli Symonds Limited) World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 positions Western 10th in the world out of 1,403 institutions for sustainability. Western is the only Canadian university in the global top 10 in sustainability rankings released by QS and Times Higher Education this year.
Serena Mendizabal (Submitted photo)
Serena Mendizabel, BA'20, MA'23, is at COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as an expert panellist, sharing grassroots insights and Indigenous Knowledge on five panels at the conference. In 2020, she told Western News there were “big-picture things” she wanted to accomplish, and in the three years since her convocation, she has.
(Photo source: Pexels)
Need help with holiday shopping? Western News has put together a holiday gift guide of student-run and alumni-owned businesses for the people on your list.
(From left) Students Alexis Andrade, Kamryn Philippe and Chris Zekany (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Classical studies professor Bernd Steinbock uses an award-winning, innovative teaching method, Reacting to the Past, to bring ancient Greek history to life in his third-year Athenian Democracy at a Crossroads course.
(From left) Team lead Roberta Flemming, Jayshri Sabarinathan, Catheryn Ryan, Yaozhu Li, Dana Beaton, Izabela Kolodziej and Stanislav Veinberg (Photo source: Roberta Flemming)
A Western-led research team has developed the first-ever hand-held diffraction tool for the identification of minerals in their natural setting on planetary surfaces such as Mars. Working with industry partner Proto Manufacturing, the team successfully tested the miniaturized device.
(From left) Cadence McGillicuddy and Sneha Sivaramakrishnan (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
First-year arts student Cadence McGillicuddy and third-year integrated science student Sneha Sivaramakrishnan are among those taking a new coding course with a digital humanities focus, encouraging them to use coding in unique ways to drive solutions.
Working at Western
(Image source: Tricia Starrett/Western Communications)
Download Alert WesternU: New safety features available
The latest version of Alert WesternU includes a significant safety enhancement – an SOS button. This feature provides you with immediate access to assistance in any emergency situation on campus. Visit the Alert WesternU website to see instructions to download the app and customize your settings.
Operational Excellence at Western
Check out the winter course offerings in Western's Operational Excellence program for administrative staff. There are a variety of topics related to Western practices and processes including sessions on finance, research, human resources and information and security.
Winter clothing program looking for donations
Campus Safety and Emergency Services and University Students’ Council are partnering on a winter clothing program for students in need. Drop off donations of new and gently used coats, hats, boots, mitts and scarves in the foyer of the Western Special Constable Service office, Lawson Hall, or email westernclothingrequests@gmail.com to arrange pick up.
Photo of the Week
Western President Alan Shepard dropped by Global Café to help celebrate International Week at Western. With events and activities across campus, the week was filled with great energy as students, staff and faculty celebrated diversity, explored international learning opportunities and engaged in discussions on global themes. (Photo source: Nyren MO/Western International)
Coming Up
Mark Daley (Photo source: Geoff Robins)
December 11 (10 to 11:30 a.m.)
Interactive Town Hall with Mark Daley
Join your colleagues at a special town hall featuring Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Mark Daley. This 90-minute Q&A session is dedicated to fostering an engaging dialogue about the role and impact of AI at Western. Your input will help guide AI initiatives across campus. North Campus Building, Rm 101.
December 12 (12:10 to 12:50 p.m.)
Yoga with Living Well @ Western
Improve your posture, balance, coordination, strength and breath control by practising a series of physical postures. Please bring your own yoga mat. Arts & Humanities Building, Room 2B15. Save your spot.
Western in the News
Stephen Barr (Photo source: Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
CBC Health
As temperatures rise, dengue fever infections keep surging around the world
The spread of dengue fever through mosquitos is offering a glimpse at how climate change is fuelling potentially deadly threats to human health. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Stephen Barr says rising temperatures could make Canada more hospitable to locally-acquired dengue infections in the years ahead.
The New York Times
Brain study suggests traumatic memories are processed as present experience
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Ruth Lanius explains how for some people traumatic memories are not remembered, they are re-lived and re-experienced, and how a new U.S.-based study may provide insight for future PTSD treatment.
The Toronto Star
Canada saw a record 90 youth homicides in 2022. Why these ‘worst case scenario’ incidents are a symptom of growing problems
A new Stats Can report highlights a rise in the number of young people who were accused of homicides. Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes says it points to a need to focus more attention on young people’s mental health.
The London Free Press
Montreal massacre victims, Lynda Shaw remembered
The 34th anniversary of the Montreal massacre was marked at a memorial hosted by Western Engineering on Wednesday.
Commentary
Santasil Mallik (Photo source: FIMS)
In this article republished from The Conversation, FIMS PhD candidate Santasil Mallik explores the payment controversy behind the Academy-award winning film, The Elephant Whisperers, and compensation terms for participation in documentary films.
