May 17, 2024
Alice Munro, DLitt‘76 (Photo source: Derek Shapton)
Remembered as one of Canada’s most celebrated authors, Nobel laureate Alice Munro passed away May 13. She published her first short stories while studying at Western and the Alice Munro Chair in Creativity continues her legacy.
Also covered by: CTV National, CBC News, Toronto Star
Dr. Michael Strong (Photo source: Allan Lewis/Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
In a groundbreaking discovery powered by philanthropy, a team of researchers led by Dr. Michael Strong has uncovered a potential path toward a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Also covered by: Toronto Star, Global News, CBC Afternoon Drive
Adrian Owen (Photo source: Western Communications)
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Adrian Owen has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the U.K.'s national academy of science. Owen is the fifth Western faculty member since 1878 to be elected as a Fellow.
Martha Dagnew (Photo source: Megan Stacey/Western Communications)
Western Engineering professor Martha Dagnew is one of three women scientists across the country to be named to the 3M 25 Women in Science Program, the first time it has recognized recipients in Canada.
Also covered by: The London Free Press, CBC London
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Tima Bansal, Sonya Malone and Matthew Dawkins (Image source: Crystal Carter/Western Communications)
Never has a discussion of impact been more important. If you have an impact story, we would love to hear it. Whether it is something you are working on, or the efforts of a colleague, drop us a note. Together, we will make a difference by inspiring others.
Coming Up
May 21 (10 to 11:30 a.m.)
Basic data handling in Excel
Explore the basics of setting up and managing data in Excel. Whether you are planning a data project or setting up data for analysis, this Zoom workshop will include a demonstration of how to use various Excel features. Register online.
May 21 (2 to 4 p.m.)
Faculty/staff session: Co-op work permits for international students
Learn more about the government regulations pertaining to international students whose programs include work experience as part of their curriculum. Presenters will discuss who can apply for a co-op or intern work permit. Register online.
May 23 (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Exploring solutions for carbon transformation workshop
Join your colleagues for an interactive day of events and discussions to explore carbon capture, organic waste management, carbon mitigation in building infrastructure and more. Register online. Amit Chakma Engineering Building, Rm 1450.
May 23 (12:10 to 12:50 p.m.)
Zumba with Living Well @ Western
Join certified Zumba instructor Darlene Willie for a lunch time Zumba class. Register online. Arts & Humanities Building, Rm 2B15.
Working at Western
(Image source: Western Communications)
Community Updates
A new webpage has been created to share community updates from Western leadership: uwo.ca/community-updates/. You can find a link to this page from Western's homepage, on the faculty & staff page and the Student Experience homepage. The Community Updates webpage will be a home for institutional messages, including updates about the current encampment.
Victoria Day holiday
Western is observing Victoria Day on Monday, May 20.
Solstice on campus
Say goodbye to cables and hello to seamless wireless presentations this conference season. Solstice, a service provided by Western Technology Services, gives you the ability to present content on your workstation or mobile device wirelessly to a group of participants.
Photo of the Week
Did you see the northern lights last weekend? Check out the stunning views of the aurora borealis captured by members of the physics & astronomy department. (Photo source: @WesternUniversity on Instagram)
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
(Photo source: Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery/Wikimedia Commons)
BBC
Why is Canada having so many wildfires this season?
Gordon McBean, geography and environment professor, and Paul Kovacs, executive director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, explain how climate change and warming temperatures are impacting the frequency and intensity of wildfires in western Canada.
CBC Business
As AI becomes more human-like, experts warn users must think more critically about its responses
FIMS professor Luke Stark weighs in on new AI upgrades from Google and OpenAI. He describes them as "decorative" and emphasizes that these systems still lack true understanding.
University Affairs Podcast: The Academic Issue
AI in Academia with Chief AI Officer Mark Daley
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming the academic landscape. Mark Daley, Canada's first Chief AI Officer, discusses the impact of generative AI tools on academic integrity and the future of higher education.
