April 21, 2023
An Eastern carpenter bee on a dandelion was spotted on campus in April 2023. (Photo source: Jackson Kusack/iNaturalist)
Western’s biodiversity inventory captured 1,225 species on campus, including 22 considered at-risk, using photographs uploaded to a web application called iNaturalist. Biology PhD candidate Brandon Samuels hopes the information can help protect Western’s natural environment.
(From left): Chemistry professor Francois Lagugné-Labarthet with startup company SCATR Inc. founders Ari Forman, BSc’20, and Alex Boukin with the portable drug-checking device. (Photo source: Chris Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Professor Francois Lagugné-Labartheth teamed up with two student entrepreneurs to develop an innovative technology that analyzes drug samples for dangerous fillers or other drugs. Thanks to a $1.9M federal grant, the technology is being piloted at safe consumption sites across Canada.
(From left): Art history instructor Ira Kazi and third-year student Arthur Mustard Thompson stand in front of his exhibit at the Tropical House. (Photo source: Chris Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Three years after closing due to the pandemic, Western’s greenhouses and botanical gardens have reopened, providing the perfect gallery for Locus Amoenus: The Garden of Verdant Delights, an exhibit by third-year art history students.
Ivey Dean Sharon Hodgson (Photo source: Geoff Robins)
Sharon Hodgson is stepping down as the dean of Ivey in June 2024 to prioritize family and personal passions. During her tenure, she made enormous strides in ushering the business school into its next century.
Members of the Connecting for Climate Change Action development team (from left): Katrina Moser, Sara Mai Chitty, Beth Hundey and Hawlii Pichette. (Photo source: Chris Kindratsky/Western Communications)
The recipients of the 2022-2023 Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching have been announced. Seven faculty members and a collaborative course development team were selected for their contributions to the academic development of students.
Political science professor Martin Horak speaks to his class at King and Richmond streets during a downtown field trip. (Photo source: Megan Stacey/Western News)
Students in professor Martin Horak’s political science class stepped out of the classroom and into the downtown core on a walking tour of key London, Ont. landmarks to see first-hand how political decisions play out in a city.
Working at Western
Thames Hall (Photo source: Western Communications)
Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations
The Vaccination and Testing Centre in Thames Hall will close for the summer on May 22. Book your appointment online by May 19 to secure your spot. The centre will re-open in the fall.
Register for summer intramurals
A full range of sports are available at the super, competitive and recreational levels. Open to Sport Recreation members and non-members. Join as a team, or as a free agent. Register by May 9.
Keep cool at work
A sudden jump to summer weather may mean elevated indoor air temperatures. Work is underway to fill the coils that provide air conditioning. If you aren’t feeling cooler air in your workspace, please notify the Client Services team.
Pension education sessions continue
Ready for a spring pension tune-up? Join a pension education session, attend the annual meeting or connect one-on-one with a Sun Life consultant.
Photo of the Week
Ivan Coyote, Western’s Alice Munro Chair in Creativity and award-winning writer, performed at London Public Library's Wolf Performance Hall on April 13 to mark the finale of their tenure as chair. (Photo source: @WordsLDN)
Coming Up
Indigenous artist-in-residence Kelly Greene (Photo source: Orelie Grimaldi)
April 26 (5 to 6 p.m.)
Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Solar Longhouse project
Join Indigenous artist-in-residence Kelly Greene at the Wampum Learning Lodge to learn about the upcoming installation of her interactive Solar Longhouse project, where she will build a traditional ceremonial longhouse from living native species of pollinator plants.
April 28 (9 to 10 a.m.)
City Nature Challenge hike
Join a guided hike through the Medway Valley Heritage Forest, led by Peter Baker, MSc candidate, and Tim Hain, assistant professor in the department of biology. They will discuss biodiversity and demonstrate how to use the iNaturalist community science app to contribute to the City Nature Challenge. Meet behind the Support Services Building. Contact Laura Mantz at lmantz@uwo.ca for more information.
April 28 (10 to 11 a.m.)
Big Sit at Western
Everyone is welcome to this accessible outdoor birdwatching event beside the Medway Valley Heritage Forest environmentally significant area.
May 2 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Employee Health Fair
Stop by the Thames Hall atrium to learn from 40 vendors/displays about health-related topics affecting physical and mental well-being. Access resources to improve your wellness and have the chance to win prizes.
Western in the News
Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes (Photo source: Rob Rombouts)
CTV News
Sociologist says pandemic may have made Canadian youth less empathetic, meaner
Increased time online during the pandemic may have made young Canadians meaner. Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes says many parents may not be aware of their children's increased exposure to online harassment during the pandemic, which is now having negative consequences.
Global News
Canada plans to reduce overdose rates with new funding, Liberals stress crisis impact
Last week at Western, Minister Carolyn Bennett announced $37 million in federal funding for research to improve health outcomes for those who use substances. An innovative harm-reduction research project led by chemistry professor François Lagugné-Labarthet received nearly $2 million as part of the announcement.
The Toronto Star
An Ontario law to identify domestic abusers seems like common sense. It’s not as simple as it sounds
Should Ontario adopt legislation similar to the U.K.’s Clare’s Law which will give people in potentially dangerous situations the right to receive information about a partner’s past criminal convictions? Education professor Peter Jaffe, director emeritus of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, says it makes sense because many abusers go from one victim to another.
The London Free Press
Winners unveiled at 2023 London Heritage Awards
The Wampum Learning Lodge is the winner of a 2023 London Heritage Award in the adaptive re-use project category. What was once the library at Althouse College is now a gathering space for Indigenous people at Western and across the community.
Commentary
(Photo source: Western Communications)
How do LGBTQ+ individuals determine whether someone is an ally? Samantha Joel, assistant professor, psychology, spoke to thousands of LGBTQ+-identified participants across the U.S. to understand the causes and effects of allyship and presents three ways to be a good ally to your LGBTQ+ colleagues.
