February 2, 2024
(Photo source: Pok Rie/Pexels)
Western’s new multi-disciplinary climate risk graduate program is the first of its kind in Canada.
Caregiving Research Laboratory researchers (from left) Abirami Mathiyalagan, Grace Norris, Marie Savundranayagam, George Philip, Anya Sarma and Grace Malheiro, (in front) Allison Chen (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Health studies professor Marie Savundranayagam has developed a virtual reality training system, ‘Be EPIC-VR', to help health-care workers communicate with people living with dementia.
Inaugural SASAH Scholarship recipients (seated, left to right) Theodora Vulpe, Myles MacPherson and Max Steinbock; (standing, from left) Levi Macleod and Felix Gu (Photo source: Frank Neufeld)
A $500,000 donation from the John Dobson Foundation has created the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities Scholarship Program.
Aerial photo of EF4-rated damage to a farm (Photo source: Northern Tornadoes Project)
Western’s Northern Tornadoes Project recorded 86 tornadoes across Canada in 2023, significantly less than the previous year’s 129 – a Canadian record for the most tornadoes in a year.
Dr. Jen Gunter (Photo source: Talia Herman)
Best-selling author and board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter is debunking myths about menstruation and addressing the societal shame and stigma that continues to surround it.
(Photo source: Franz26/Pixabay)
A new study by Western researchers shows most newcomers – and the majority of Canadians ─ choose to live in cities, and how that trend negatively impacts smaller communities.
Working at Western
(Photo source: Sport Western)
Registration open for Sport Western camps
Sport Western offers a wide range of fun and educational activities for kids of all ages. Camps are filling fast. Register your camper today.
Senate elections – Second call for nominations (staff membership)
A second call for nominations is open for staff membership on Western’s Senate. Nominations close Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. More information can be found on the University Secretariat website.
Preparing for retirement
Make sure you’re getting the most out of your Western Pension Plan. Learn more by attending an upcoming workshop, the annual member meeting on March 1, or book a personal consultation with Sun Life.
Online booking now
available for TELUS Employee (and family) Assistance Program counselling
Online scheduling is now available to provide an easier way to book your first virtual (phone or video) counselling appointment. Learn more.
Test of Alert WesternU
A campus-wide test of the mass emergency notification tool, AlertWesternU, will be conducted on Feb. 7 at 12:30 p.m. Visit the Alert WesternU website for instructions on how to download the app and customize your settings.
Photo of the Week
Check out the Black Resources Collection at Weldon, featuring titles from a variety of classic and Canadian Black authors curated by Black mental health staff counsellors, African-Canadian scholars and members of the Black Students Association. (Photo source: Westernulibs on X/Twitter)
Coming Up
(Image source: Western Communications)
Celebrating Black History Month
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and faculty partners are hosting a number of events celebrating Black excellence.
February 2 (12 to 2 p.m.)
DRUMS – Ngoma ensemble
Kick off Black History Month with the Ngoma ensemble as they share their African ancestry through drum and dance. UCC Atrium.
February 6 (1 to 4 p.m.)
What We Deserve: A film screening and panel discussion on reparations
Watch the award-winning documentary What We Deserve, which examines over 400 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, followed by a panel discussion with executive producer and director Shelley Jarrett.
February 7 (12 to 1 p.m.)
Workshop: Unpacking anti-Black racism
Learn about anti-Black racism in North America from a contemporary standpoint. This workshop will provide insight into common terms related to anti-Black racism, review the different ways anti-Black racism is manifested, and provide practical strategies to address anti-Black racism. Save your spot.
February 12 (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.)
Leading change in difficult times with hope and optimism
Recognized as one of the most motivational keynote speakers of the past decade, Ivan Joseph will share personal stories and actionable steps that show how EDI issues can impact your team’s performance and how change can impact the health of an organization. Save your spot.
Western in the News
Mark Daley (Photo source: Geoff Robins)
New York Times
Hottest job in corporate America? The executive in charge of A.I.
Chief A.I. Officer Mark Daley was featured in an article exploring the rise of the position throughout corporate America.
CNN
What you should know about the moon area where Japan’s lander touched down
Earth Studies professor Gordon Osinski shared his unique expertise on Japan’s moon landing as principal investigator for Canada’s lunar lander.
CBC The Current
Tackling deepfake nudes in schools and online
Concerns over A.I. and deepfake explicit images have been increasing but when Taylor Swift became the target the issue was suddenly in the spotlight. Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes explains the harms that can be done to youth online.
BBC News
Scientists have created the tightest and smallest knot ever
Scientists, including chemistry professor Richard Puddephatt, set a Guinness World Record by creating the world's smallest and tightest knot using a tiny molecular chain composed of gold, carbon and phosphorus.
Commentary
(Photo source: Cottonbro Studio/Pexels Images)
In this Conversation piece, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor John McCormick and postdoctoral associate Juan Manuel Diaz explain the increase in cases of invasive Strep A and how it can lead to other invasive infections if left untreated.
