October 22, 2021
Western News file photo
Western is celebrating graduating students through a virtual fall convocation beginning tonight at 7 p.m. Three degree-specific, pre-recorded ceremonies will be posted online, each including celebratory music by Convocation Brass and remarks from this year’s exemplary honorary degree recipients.
Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels
Children have been spending almost triple the recommended amount of screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study co-authored by education professor and Canada Research Chair Emma Duerden.
Photo by sergiimostovyi via Shutterstock
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Marnin Heisel and his colleagues will be working to prevent suicides among vulnerable populations, thanks to two separate grants worth a total of $1.2 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Movember Foundation.
Photo by sudok1 via Getty Images
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Ruth Lanius is using MRI to pinpoint moral injury effects in brains of health-care workers and to identify better treatment methods.
Interior of Massey Hall, Toronto, Ont. (Jag Gundu)
With a foreword by Jann Arden and memories of many magical moments from national and international artists, alumnus David McPherson, BA’96, MA’98, will release his new book, Massey Hall, as the hall reopens after a three-year revitalization.
Photo from Housing and Ancillary Services
Virtually all Western students and employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the latest data shows. Mandatory proof of vaccination is just one of the ways Western has been working to keep the community safe and healthy throughout the pandemic.
Working at Western
TD StairClimb: Step up for your community
It’s the 25th anniversary of the StairClimb for United Way! On Nov. 4, TD Bank StairClimb for United Way Elgin Middlesex will continue to 'step up' virtually to ensure no one is left behind, raising money for programs and services in our community. Join our Western team as we come together virtually to support our local community.
Take care. Get the flu shot
Starting Monday, Nov. 1, students and employees can receive their free flu shots at Western's flu immunization clinic in the Vaccination and Testing Centre at the Graphic Services Building. No appointments required.
Caretaker Job Fair
Facilities Management is hiring full-time caretakers. If this sounds like a good fit for someone you know, encourage them to attend the job fair Oct. 26 and Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Alumni House Residence.
Photo of the Week
The Western Mustang Band performed at Western Alumni Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 16 for the final home football game of the 2021 season. The Mustangs trounced the Windsor Lancers to the tune of 54–4. Photo from Emma Lord, Western Mustang Band
Coming Up
Jon Kimura Parker. Photo courtesy of the Don Wright Faculty of Music
Friday, Oct. 22 (7:30 p.m.)
Parsons and Poole annual legacy concert
International piano superstar Jon Kimura Parker is this year’s distinguished Parsons & Poole guest artist, hosted each year by the Don Wright Faculty of Music. All are welcome to join the free livestream tonight.
Thursday, Oct. 28 (3:30 p.m.)
Studying the COVID-19 infodemic at scale
Anatoliy Gruzd, professor at Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management and Canada Research Chair in Privacy-Preserving Digital Technologies, will discuss how researchers at Ryerson University’s Social Media Lab, in partnership with the World Health Organization, are spearheading an international effort to help stem the rise of and counter COVID-19 misinformation via the COVID-19 Misinformation Portal. This presentation is part of the FIMS Rogers Chair event series.
Thursday, Oct. 28 (7 p.m.)
Race and racism: Indigenous climate justice, nature based solutions and self-determined futures
This presentation will feature Deborah McGregor, professor at York University and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice. This public lecture series is hosted by the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, the department of philosophy and London Public Library. Advance registration is required.
Nov. 15 to 19
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Days 2021
From tracking COVID-19, to mapping local women’s activist organizations, to charting historically significant sites for the Munsee-Delaware community, there’s something for everyone at GIS Days. Join virtual events throughout the week and learn about mapping and real-world applications of geographic info systems that impact society.
Western in the News
Mummies positioned in a tin shed in the village of Oiwa. Photo by Andrew Nelson, chair in the department of anthropology
Discover Magazine
The last Papuan mummies
Andrew Nelson, chair in the department of anthropology, along with other researchers are exploring a mummification technique in the highlands of New Guinea that preserves loved one's faces long after death.
CBC News
Pandemic learning loss is real and kids need help to catch up, education experts say
Education and global development professor Prachi Srivastava says the disruption to education is not equitable and she proposes a recovery plan to help children succeed academically after the pandemic.
The Weather Network
Late-season tornado stirs up damage in Quebec amid potent storms
Northern Tornadoes Project is examining the damage from the tornado in the Centre-du-Québec region.
CBC Fresh Air
'1 in a 100 billion' meteorite sent to a team of experts at Western
After a meteorite fragment smashed through a residential roof, physics and astronomy professor Peter Brown says this sort of event is something that happens once every ten years in the world.
Commentary
Photo by Glen Carrie via Unsplash
Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes and faculty of information and media studies professor Jacquelyn Burkell on how social media companies' profit driven motivation allows for toxic content and selling of person data.
