March 18, 2022
(Photo source: Western International)
The International Peer Guide program celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and was developed to provide mentorship and resources for students coming from abroad. It is now a community to more than 5,000 students who have participated in countless opportunities to share laughter, provide or accept a helping hand, and find a sense of belonging at Western.
Peggy O'Neil (Submitted photo)
Brescia professor and home economist Peggy O'Neil shares her thoughts on food system sustainability and cultivating food security from the ground up. O’Neil will be the keynote speaker at the Building Sustainable Food Systems symposium on Mar. 22.
(Photo source: Jenalle Los)
Co-founder and director of Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners Charity Kabango, BESc’08, BA’08, is helping African entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Kabango shared aspects of her journey as guest speaker at the Lynda Shaw Memorial Lecture on Mar. 17.
(Photo source: Andrea Soddu/Western University)
Brain & Mind Institute researcher and professor Andrea Soddu’s unique brain imaging software, that provides neural insights on patients with acquired brain injury, is helping one law firm strengthen the case for better support for clients with concussions.
(Photo source: Rob Potter/Western Communications)
Pathology professor Subrata Chakrabarti, astrophysicist Pauline Barmby and health geographer Isaac Luginaah have been named Distinguished University Professors for their excellence in research, teaching and service.
Dr. Victor Yang (Photo source: Tara Whittaker)
Dr. Victor Yang is turning his dream into reality as he joins Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and embarks on innovative research to help build better medical devices and ‘digitize surgery.’
Working at Western
(Photo source: Western Sustainability)
Waste and recycling portal
The waste and recycling portal remains available to all students, staff, and faculty who are looking to get rid of any waste and recycling.
Spring course recommendations for employees
Western Continuing Studies moved some of its most popular courses online, including business, technology and communications. Registration is open. These courses are advance funded for eligible employees through the educational assistance plan.
Building a creative campus
Share your experience with the arts at Western and in the greater London community as part of a survey led by Kim Solga, principal investigator and professor in the department of English and writing studies.
Celebrating Michael Groden: a public tribute
Join colleagues and former students for a tribute on Friday, Mar. 25 at 3 p.m. to honour the late Michael Groden, distinguished professor in the department of English and writing studies.
Photo of the Week
The Weldon Mezzanine has reopened with some great collaborative and study space. (Photo source: Facilities Management)
Coming Up
(Artwork by Isaac Murdoch)
Tuesday, March 22 (3 p.m.)
Water is Life speaker series
In recognition of World Water Day, Carol Hopkins and Irene Peters will discuss the history of Water Walks and the connections of water to life. The Water is Life speaker series is hosted by the Indigenous Students’ Association along with support from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, University Students’ Council, Western Housing and Western Sustainability.
Thursday, March 24 (2 p.m.)
The NFF youth conference
The Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women & Children’s Neighbours, Friends, and Families division will be hosting its first-ever virtual youth conference. The event is open to youth and adults, and will feature keynote speaker Sandy Hudson, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Canada.
Friday, March 25 (9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.)
Reflecting on the trucker convoy
Western Law is hosting two panel discussions to reflect upon the implications of the recent trucker convoy protests in Ottawa and beyond. The first panel features political science professor Laura Stephenson and arts and humanities professors Cody Barteet, Kate Korycki and Patrick Mahon to discuss impacts on identity, culture and politics. The second panel features Law professors Wade Wright and Akis Psygkas, economics professor Ananth Ramanarayanan, Ivey professor Gal Raz and FIMS professor Tom Streeter to discuss impacts on trade, economics and security. Pre-registration is required. Register for panel one here and panel two here.
Friday, March 25 (12:30 p.m.)
"Old and New"
The Don Wright Faculty of Music Fridays at 12:30 concert series will feature internationally acclaimed violist Rivka Golani and pianist Angela Park in a program that celebrates the past and present, including Rebecca Clarke's Sonata.
Western in the News
(Photo source: Patrice Bouchard/Unsplash)
CBC Quirks and Quarks
Fear of predation all by itself can reduce the survival rate of songbirds
Biology professor Liana Zannette has found that just being aware of predators, even without actually being preyed upon, can reduce the reproductive rate of songbirds, and reduce the survival rate of their offspring.
The National Post
After two years of the COVID pandemic, Canadians want changes to the health system
Marking the second anniversary of the pandemic, neuroscientist Adrian Owen reflects on the launch of his COVID-19 brain study in June of 2020 and says he never imagined the pandemic would escalate to affect as many people as it has.
CBC Ontario Today
What does Zelenskyy's leadership inspire you to do?
After Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Canadian Parliament in a powerful speech this week, Gerard Seijts, executive director of the Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership at the Ivey Business School says there is much we can learn from his inspiring leadership and courage.
Toronto Star
Restrictions are lifting and boosters are flowing, but the mental health of many isn’t improving
Even with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, psychology professor David Dozois has observed continued high levels of anxiety and depression among Canadians.
Commentary
(Photo source: Cedric Fauntleroy/Pexels)
Dr. Andrea Lum and Dr. Laura Foxcroft are making a case for more mental health supports for health-care providers, and how Western’s Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is responding with a new, first-of-its-kind, Peers for Peers program.
