No. 481 - February 23, 2022

  • Coming Events:

    - Reflections on Black Queerness: Joy, History and Significance
    - Seeing Human Rights - Video Activism as a Proxy Profession
    - Research Ethics Workshop: "Conducting research with or about human participants"
    - mediations: Data collection during the pandemic - When the unwritten rules become the applied rules 
    - Western Day featuring Survivor winner Erika Casupanan (BA'11) & Rick McGhie
    - Higher education, "diversity," and information literacy
    - mediations: "By Women For Women" - Communicating Gender Discourse in r/FemaleDatingStrategy

  • Important Dates:

    - Monday, February 21, 2022 - Friday, February 25, 2022 - Spring Reading Week 
    - Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - Nominations Close for Student Membership on Board and Senate (4:00 pm)
    - Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Western Day 
    - Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Board and Senate Elections - Polls open for Students (8:00 am)

  • News & Announcements:

    - New Creative Arts and Production (CAP) program approved

  • Awards & Accomplishments:

    - Stephanie Simpson
    - Aidan Warlow

  • Publications & Presentations:

    - Magnus Berg
    - Ebenezer Martin-Yeboah
    - Alex Mayhew
    - Danica Pawlick-Potts
    - Michael Ridley

  • In the Media:

    - Jacquie Burkell
    - Basil Chiasson
    - Norma Coates
    - David Guignion
    - Sally Kewayosh
    - Antoinette Taranets (BA'16)

  • Additional Activities of Note:

    - Juan Bello's Never Forgotten, the story of the On-To-Ottawa Trek
    - Ajit Pyati co-facilitating workshop for professional librarians

  • News from the FIMS Graduate Library:

    - Volunteer with ELIP
    - Tours of Your Space in FNB: Stop by the FIMS Grad Library next week for a tour
    - Textures of Your Pandemic Experience: a FIMS Graduate Community Zine Project (Wednesday, March 2)
    - Working in the Knowledge Management Field: A Discussion with Sarah Morrison (Monday, March 7)
    - Game On: A Workshop on Developing Board Game Programming and Collecting Games in Libraries with Carlie Forsythe (Tuesday, March 22)

  • FIMS Undergraduate Round-Up:

    - FIMS Career Camp puts career exploration on the map this January

  • News from Western Libraries:

    - Finding and Evaluating Open Educational Resources Workshop

  • Next Issue:


Coming Events


Reflections on Black Queerness: Joy, History and Significance
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Zoom (by registration)
Presented by Marisa Rosa Grant as part of Western's Black History Month Speaker Series. Co-hosted by FIMS and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
All are welcome to attend. Register here.
Abstract: Western's EDI Office and the Faculty of Information and Media Studies are thrilled to share Performer Marisa Rosa Grant with our campus and community. Black queer joy and liberation are pivotal pieces of black History. Grant will share their personal stories of blackness and queerness along with the stories of black queer pioneers that have paved the way. 
Speaker Bio: Grant is an event planner focused on creating spaces for Black queer and trans folks. They are the founder and creator of, STRAPPED, Pour Choices: A Queer Wine tour, Strapped House, and many more events to come. Aside from hosting show-stopping events, Grant is also a workshop facilitator and events consultant. Their goal is to always make spaces inclusive to queer people of colour.

Seeing Human Rights - Video Activism as a Proxy Profession
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Zoom
Presented by FIMS Guest Speaker Sandra Ristovska, Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder.
Everyone is welcome. To register, contact Karen Kueneman at kueneman@uwo.ca.
Synopsis: As video becomes an important tool to expose injustice, Seeing Human Rights (MIT Press, 2021) examines how human rights organizations seek to professionalize video activism through video production, verification standards, and training. The result, it argues, is a proxy profession that helps legitimize video’s potential to serve distinct policy functions while brokering human rights voices in journalism, the law, and political advocacy.
Speaker Bio: Sandra Ristovska is Assistant Professor of Media Studies at the College of Media, Communication, and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research, informed by her experiences as a documentary filmmaker, focuses on the interplay between images and human rights, particularly in institutional and legal contexts (continue reading).

Research Ethics Workshop: "Conducting research with or about human participants"
Thursday, March 3, 2022
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Zoom (by registration)
Are you considering a Guided Research Project, a Major Research Project or starting your thesis research next term? If your research involves collecting data from or about people, attendance at this human research ethics workshop is required before submitting any Guided Research, Major Research or thesis research proposal for the Summer 2022 term. You can also attend if you're considering a research project in a subsequent term, though the same workshop will be offered in the Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 terms. If you have already received ethics approval for your research/data collection, attendance is not required. Faculty researchers are also welcome to attend. To register, please email Shelley Long at slong@uwo.ca.

mediations: Data collection during the pandemic - When the unwritten rules become the applied rules 
Thursday, March 3, 2022
4:30 pm
Zoom
Talk presented by Giada Ferrucci, Ebenezer Martin-Yeboah, Eunice Annan-Aggrey, and Sananda Sahoo, followed by a Q&A period. If you would like to attend this event, email fimsmediations@gmail.com to request the Zoom link.
Abstract: The global pandemic continues to disrupt economic, academic, and socio-cultural facets of life due to the need to adhere to public health protocols. In most academic settings, whereas it is conceivable that all stakeholders have been hardly hit by COVID-19 pandemic, the stories of research-based students seem unique and require attention. As young researchers learning the rudiments of undertaking academic research projects, the pandemic is complicating the learning curve of graduate student researchers who now have to navigate not only the intricacies of research but must also learn to do this in an ‘unchartered territory’ using remote methods (continue reading).

Western Day featuring Survivor winner Erika Casupanan & Rick McGhie
Thursday, March 3, 2022
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Zoom Webinar (by registration)
Join alumni and friends online for a purple and proud Western Day event featuring MIT graduate Erika Casupanan, BA'11, best known for being the sole survivor on the 41st season of the American reality TV competition series Survivor.
Hear more about Erika’s experience on the show, her winning strategies and the relationships she forged in order to become the first Canadian to win the competition. Then, sit back and enjoy a live performance by Western musical legend Rick McGhie. Rick invites you to enjoy all your favourite songs and Western traditions in the comfort of your home. More here.

Higher education, "diversity," and information literacy
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Zoom (by registration)
Presented by Professor Karen Nicholson (Manager, Information Literacy, University of Guelph) as part of the FIMS Seminar Series.
All are welcome to attend. Contact Karen Kueneman for the Zoom link at kueneman@uwo.ca.
Abstract: In the global knowledge economy, universities function as privileged sites for the reproduction of human capital—the knowledge, skills, competences, and other attributes embodied in individuals that are relevant to economic activity. Developing students’ skills, such as teamwork and information literacy, is an important focus of higher education, and discourses of excellence, diversity, leadership, and skills are now core to universities’ recruitment and marketing efforts (continue reading).

mediations: "By Women For Women" - Communicating Gender Discourse in r/FemaleDatingStrategy 
Thursday, March 10, 2022
4:30 pm
Zoom
Talk presented by Media Studies PhD candidate Brittany Melton, followed by a Q&A period. If you would like to attend this event, email fimsmediations@gmail.com to request the Zoom link.
Abstract: Female Dating Strategy (FDS or r/femaledatingstrategy ) is a forum on Reddit, formed in 2019, that promotes itself as a female-only space for discussing dating. This paper will seek to explore how the FDS communicates gender and how gendered discourse has the potential to radicalize its members through gender essentialist and misandrist discursive practices. This study will also consider how gender is constructed in an inherently genderless space as Reddit users are not required to share their identities and are thus anonymous by function (continue reading).


Important Dates


- Monday, February 21, 2022 - Friday, February 25, 2022 - Spring Reading Week 
- Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - Nominations Close for Student Membership on Board and Senate (4:00 pm)
- Thursday, March 3, 2022 - Western Day 
- Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Board and Senate Elections - Polls open for Students (8:00 am)


News & Announcements


New Creative Arts and Production (CAP) program approved
The Creative Arts and Production (CAP) program, jointly offered by FIMS, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Don Wright Faculty of Music, gives undergraduate students the opportunity to explore creativity, creative practice and collaboration across a range of disciplines.
For more on the major, read the Western News article "Western launches new creative arts and production program" describing the program, and visit the CAP website at https://cap.uwo.ca/. 


Awards & Accomplishments


Stephanie Simpson, HIS PhD candidate, successfully defended her PhD thesis titled, "Implementing Health Impact Assessment as a Required Component of Government Policymaking: A Multi-Level Exploration of the Determinants of Healthy Public Policy" on February 14, 2022.

Aidan Warlow, Media Studies MA candidate, successfully defended his MA thesis titled, "Radiant Dreams and Nuclear Nightmares: Japanese Resistance Narratives and American Intervention in Postwar Speculative Popular Culture" on February 11, 2022.


Publications & Presentations


MLIS student Magnus Berg published the following article:
Berg, M. (2022). Expanding trans cinema through the Tranny Fest Collection. Journal of Cinema and Media Studies, 61(2), 181-187. https://doi.org/10.1353/cj.2022.0003

HIS PhD student Ebenezer Martin-Yeboah co-published the following article: 
E. Martin-Yeboah, S. Gyamfi, J. Adu, M. Fordjour Owusu. (2022). Reconciling Primary Healthcare Delivery with Social Media: A case study of Cape Coast, Ghana. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 16, 100395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2022.100395 

LIS PhD students Michael Ridley, Danica Pawlick-Potts, and Alex Mayhew presented "Algorithmic Literacy and the Role for Libraries" at the 2022 Ontario Library Association virtual SuperConference.


In the Media


Associate Professor Jacquie Burkell was interviewed on the role technology plays in relationships for the Western Gazette article, "Is tech poisoning your relationship?" published on February 15, 2022.

Assistant Professor Basil Chiasson and FIMS Lecturer Sally Kewayosh were mentioned in the Western News article, "Western launches new creative arts and production program" published on February 17, 2022.

Associate Professor Norma Coates discussed the controversies with Spotify and streaming platforms on 630 CHED Radio on February 13, 2022.

Media Studies PhD candidate David Guignion was quoted in The New York Times article, "Canada Toughens Stance on Protests, Promising 'Robust' Police Response" published on February 11, 2022. Guignion also joined London Live with Mike Stubbs on February 10, 2022 to discuss how misinformation motivated some individuals to support the trucker protest.

MIT graduate Antoinette Taranets (BA'16) was featured in the Toronto Star article, "Looking to switch careers? In a post-pandemic world, you may not need the training you think" published on February 14, 2022.


Additional Activities of Note


Juan Bello's Never Forgotten, the story of the On-To-Ottawa Trek
FIMS instructor Juan Bello produced the documentary Never Forgotten, which tells the story of the on the On-To-Ottawa Trek, a historical event of great repercussion in the history of organized labour movements in Canada.

A web-based version of the project, including the documentary, images, documents, and a series of educational resources is now available to the public at https://www.ontoottawatrek.ca/.

Ajit Pyati co-facilitating workshop for professional librarians
Associate Professor Ajit Pyati is a co-facilitator, along with Dr. Clara Chu (Director of the Mortensen Center for International Library Programs, University of Illinois Library), of the Engineering Change: A Pathway for Meaningful Action workshop series for professional librarians. This workshop is guided by the work of Dr. Agnes Kaposi, Holocaust survivor, engineer, and educator.

The workshop consists of two sessions - February 15 & April 19 on the theme of "dislocation" and March 1 & May 3 on the theme of "propaganda." More information is available at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/mortenson/engineering-change/


News from the FIMS Graduate Library


Volunteer with ELIP
The Emerging Library and Information Perspectives Journal (ELIP) is looking for reliable MLIS students with strong writing and grammatical skills to assist us with the copy-editing stage of the editorial process from March until May. We also need cover art to celebrate our 5th edition of the Journal!

Volunteering with ELIP is a great way to learn more about scholarly communication and open access publishing and it looks good on resumes, so please contact Lisa (lbowker@uwo.ca) by February 25 if you’re interested in either opportunity!

Tours of Your Space in FNB: Stop by the FIMS Grad Library any day during the week of February 28th between 11:00 am - 11:30 am for a tour
Whether you’re new to grad programming at FIMS or new to working on campus, come by and we will help you navigate your spaces!

FIMS Graduate Library presents...
Take advantage of your chance to learn beyond your classes.
Have ideas for future workshops that you'd like to attend? Email us at fimslib@uwo.ca. We'd love to hear from you!

Textures of Your Pandemic Experience: a FIMS Graduate Community Zine Project
Wednesday, March 2, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm on Zoom
Join us to create a collaborative zine which captures our experiences as we’re moving through these times. The theme can be interpreted as the texture of your space, your mind, the world, whatever it has meant to feel your way through existence during this pandemic. An initial workshop will be held to jumpstart the project on the Wednesday, March 2. The workshop will cover a short history and introduction to zines and provide resources for the creation of your own pages. It will be followed by sessions where everyone can create together (dates to be announced).

Working in the Knowledge Management Field: A Discussion with Sarah Morrison
Monday, March 7, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm on Zoom
Join us for a discussion with Sarah Morrison, a graduate of FIMS' MLIS program, as she talks about her experiences working in the knowledge management (KM) field and the practical application of KM concepts. Sarah will also share her tips on finding employment within the field. New to KMt? No problem! All are welcome to learn more about what the field entails and the opportunities available within it.
To submit questions that you’d like Sarah to address in the workshop, email fimslib@uwo.ca.

Game On: A Workshop on Developing Board Game Programming and Collecting Games in Libraries with Carlie Forsythe
Tuesday, March 22, 12:00 - 1:00 pm on Zoom
Interested in non-traditional collections development? Want to learn about how libraries can engage in community-building by offering recreational programming? If so, join us for this workshop with Carlie Forsythe, a recent graduate of FIMS’ MLIS program. In the workshop, Carlie will show us some of the games they collected for Fanshawe College’s Library Learning Commons, provide an introduction to the world of tabletop role-playing games, and offer tips on collecting games and developing in person and virtual board game programming.
Have questions about recreational play in libraries that you’d like Carlie to discuss in the workshop? Send them to us at fimslib@uwo.ca.

To register for any FIMS workshop, please email fimslib@uwo.ca. A Zoom link will be sent to you before the events.


FIMS Undergraduate Round-Up


FIMS Career Camp puts career exploration on the map this January
More than 100 undergraduate students attended the virtual FIMS Career Camp from January 21 to 28 to help start planning for their meaningful future careers. The camp featured special guests and online sessions dedicated to building career development fundamentals. Highlights from the virtual sessions can be read in the FIMS piece, "FIMS Career Camp puts career exploration on the map this January."


News from Western Libraries


Finding and Evaluating Open Educational Resources Workshop
Thursday, February 24, 2022
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
OER are educational materials (like textbooks, streaming media, simulations, and more) that are free of cost and access barriers for learners. They are also editable and adaptable, meaning that they can be customized to suit your course content. Let’s say that, for many reasons, you want to switch up your materials and use OER in an upcoming course. How can you find high-quality open textbooks and other OER that will work for you and your students? That’s what this workshop will cover!
Register here.


Next Issue


The Grad Bulletin is your source for news, announcements, and events pertaining to FIMS graduate programs. Submissions from the FIMS community are always welcome and may be sent via e-mail to fims-communications@uwo.ca.

The next issue of the Grad Bulletin will be published on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. The deadline for submissions is noon on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.