Aug. 1, 2025
(L to R) Research associate Lizzy Hinds-Hueglin and research assistant Ronique Gillis. (Submitted Photo)
A team of Western scholars is deepening our understanding of Black life in mid-19th century London by addressing gaps in historical records through the Black Londoners Project.
An Oceanic Field Cricket photographed in Hawaii. (Photo source: Silversea_starsong/iNaturalist)
Biology professor Natasha Mhatre and her team developed a new computer model that reconstructs how crickets make songs using preserved wing specimens, advancing research in insect communication and evolution.
BJ Kipp (centre) is one of about 30 athletes who finds a joyful sporting environment through the program. (Photo source: Colleen MacDonald/Western Communications)
Led by Sport and Recreation’s Jenna Smith and PhD student Marcus Nandu, Western’s Unified Basketball program brings together students, varsity athletes and people with intellectual disabilities for weekly games that foster community and expand access to inclusive support.
Also covered by: London Live on AM980
Shane McCarthy (Photo source: Colleen MacDonald/Western Communications)
Engineering grad Shane McCarthy is turning his boxing passion into a business, developing a hand wrap roller for fighters, with mentorship and support from Morrissette Entrepreneurship.
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Tarun Katapally (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Tarun Katapally: How technology can strengthen health-care equity.
Coming Up
Aug. 6 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Western Farmers Market
Support local businesses every Wednesday in the open space in front of McIntosh Gallery. Listen to live music while you shop for fresh fruits, plants, veggies and baked goods from vendors on campus.
Aug. 7 to 10
Summer Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's classic tale of forbidden love in the Beryl Ivey Garden behind University College. Purchase tickets and learn more online.
Working at Western
University College (Photo source: Western Communications)
Grace Parraga named director of WAFAR
Grace Parraga has been appointed director of the Western Academy for Advanced Research and awarded a Western Research Chair (Leadership), for a five-year term, effective Oct. 1. Read the announcement.
Weather siren testing
Live testing of Western’s emergency weather siren will take place Aug. 6 around noon. Unless otherwise notified, this is only a test. No action is required. Testing occurs the first Wednesday of every month from March to October.
Civic holiday
Western is observing the civic holiday on Monday, Aug. 4.
Photo of the Week
Mustangs track and field long jumper Arman Shahzadeh set a personal best of 7.61m during the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games from July 16 to 27 in Germany. He was among 18 Western athletes and two staff members representing Canada on the international stage. (Photo source: USPORTS)
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
Jane Rylett (Photo source: Della Rollins/The Globe and Mail)
The Globe and Mail
Canada is hosting the world’s biggest dementia conference for the first time in a decade. What’s changed since then?
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Jane Rylett explains how new research is shifting the global conversation around dementia and why Canada is poised to lead on brain health.
CNN
The asteroid that will spare Earth might hit the moon instead. What happens if it does?
Physics and astronomy professor Paul Wiegert explains how asteroid 2024 YR4’s possible lunar impact could endanger satellites and impact our approach to planetary defense.
Canadian Press
All five former junior hockey players acquitted in high-profile sexual assault trial
Law professor Melanie Randall provided expert analysis on the impact of the acquittal of five former junior hockey players on Canada’s legal system and how it handles sexual assault cases and survivors.
