Feb. 21, 2025
(L to R) Julia King, Aidan Cowell-Miller, Morgan Reevie and Ian Dafoe help an elementary school student. (Photo source: Colleen MacDonald/Western Communications)
Students from local First Nations hit the track at Thompson Arena for Indigenous Track and Field Day on Feb. 18, embracing athletic challenges and building confidence through sports, mentorship and community.
Also covered by: CTV London
Petra Owusu (Submitted photo)
Education PhD candidate Petra Owusu is engaging Black youth to improve access to mental health services and address the lack of race-based data in Canada.
Matthew Heath (Photo source: Kim McCready/Western Health Sciences)
Kinesiology professor Matthew Heath conducted research that found a 20-minute session of moderate aerobic exercise improves executive function and alleviates concussion symptoms in athletes during early recovery.
Amber Carroll (Photo source: Nikki Lamb Tudico)
Amber Carroll, BHSc'24, and her team made financial literacy fun for youth by turning it into a game through Western’s RBC Design Thinking Program. Renewed funding for the program and 10 new scholarships will give more students the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges.
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Matthew Dawkins (Photo source: Steve Anderson/Western Communications)
Matthew Dawkins: How literature can change the world.
Coming Up
Feb. 24 (5 to 7 p.m.)
Black Resistance Against the Status Quo
Join students, staff and faculty for a powerful discussion on how Black leaders are challenging the system, resisting the status quo and creating change. This event is part of Western’s celebration of Black History Month. Thames Hall Atrium. Register online.
Feb. 25 (noon to 1 p.m.)
Three Years of the Russo-Ukrainian War
Political science professor Marta Dyczok will moderate a discussion on the Russo-Ukrainian War and its impact on Canada. The expert panel includes former ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and political science professors Matthew Lebo and Adam Harmes. Social Science Centre, Rm. 6210.
Feb. 26 (2 to 4 p.m.)
Wampum Belt and Treaty Teachings
Listen as Dr. Alan Ojiig Corbiere, an Anishinaabe scholar from M'Chigeeng First Nation, shares his work on language revitalization, Indigenous history and storytelling. A Canada Research Chair at York University, he is dedicated to making Anishinaabe history more accessible. Register today.
Feb. 27 (8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Canada-Africa Academic Collaborations Conference
The Africa Institute is hosting a virtual event to explore education, policy, climate, Indigenous studies and global health under the theme of academic collaboration for posterity. The conference features speakers including President Alan Shepard and nursing professor Abe Oudshoorn. Register online.
Working at Western
Talbot College (Photo source: Western Communications)
Western’s annual pension plan member update
Western’s Joint Pension Board invites you to a virtual presentation at noon on March 5 for updates on the 2024 pension plan performance and a demonstration of a Sun Life financial planning tool. Register online and submit questions prior to the meeting. You can also test your knowledge through this new pension awareness quiz.
Women’s self-defense classes
Learn practical defensive techniques that don’t require any special skills. Many session dates are available and all classes take place on campus. Register online.
Ecologies in Practice podcast
Supported by the Western Sustainability Impact fund, this new podcast explores the intersections of art, ecology and sustainability through conversations with artists, scholars and community members. Hosted by visual arts PhD student Ashar Mobeen, the podcast highlights creative discussions on environmental challenges and resilience.
Photo of the Week
The Western Mustang Cheerleading team are national champions for the 37th time, claiming victory at the 2025 PCA National Collegiate Championships on Feb. 15. (Photo source: Western Mustangs Cheerleading)
Western in the News
In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.
Julian Birkinshaw (Photo source: Ivey Communications)
Times Higher Education
Business schools can’t be true forces for good unless they widen access
An opinion piece written by Ivey dean Julian Birkinshaw explains why business schools should increase efforts to widen access by providing high-touch, low-cost business learning.
CBC London
Valentine's Day origins wilder than you might expect
Classics professor Kelly Olson discusses the origins of Valentine’s Day.
CTV National
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine
History and political science professor Marta Dyczok shares expert insight into U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments about Ukraine.
