No. 482 - March 9, 2022

  • Coming Events:

    - Healing + Belonging: Blackness and Indigeneity
    - mediations: "By Women For Women" - Communicating Gender Discourse in r/FemaleDatingStrategy
    - Active Voice: Angela Sterritt
    - The Discourses of Drag Queen Story Time Challengers and Supporters
    - mediations: Data Imaginaries
    - Disinformation on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence and journalistic challenges

  • Important Dates:

    - Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Board and Senate Elections - Polls open for Students (8:00 am)
    - Friday, March 18, 2022 - Meeting of the Senate (1:30 pm)

  • News & Announcements:

    - Nominations open for Fantastic FIMS and Spirit of Librarianship awards
    - WTS offering free teaching technologies sessions for faculty and staff

  • Awards & Accomplishments:

    - Juan Bello
    - Griffin Jaeger
    - Tanaz Javan

  • Publications & Presentations:

    - Ebenezer Martin-Yeboah
    - Anabel Quan-Haase
    - Daniel Robinson

  • In the Media:

    - Billie Anderson
    - Tim Blackmore
    - Marisa Rosa Grant
    - Tracy Moore (MA'00)
    - Selma Purac
    - Percy Sherwood
    - Sharon Sliwinski
    - Sarah Smith
    - Kadie Ward (MA'07)
    - Creative Arts & Production program

  • Additional Activities of Note:

    - From Remote Stars exhibit now open at Museum London

  • News from the FIMS Graduate Library:

    - The Emerging Library and Information Perspectives Journal (ELIP) is looking for cover art!
    - Textures of Your Pandemic Experience: a FIMS Graduate Community Zine Project
    - Game On: A Workshop on Developing Board Game Programming and Collecting Games in Libraries with Carlie Forsythe
    - Working in the Knowledge Management Field: A Discussion with Sarah Morrison
    - Printing in the FIMS Nursing Building
    - FIMS Graduate Library Virtual Service Desk

  • FIMS Undergraduate Round-Up:

    - FIMS student receives prestigious Cansbridge Fellowship

  • News from Western Libraries:

    - Western Libraries Financial Support for Open Access

  • Next Issue:


Coming Events


Healing + Belonging: Blackness and Indigeneity
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
7:00 - 9:30 pm
Zoom (by registration)
Featuring FIMS lecturer Sally Kewayosh (Bkejwanong Territory, Walpole Island First Nation). This event is organized in cooperation between FIMS, the Film Studies Program, Office of EDI and OII at Western University.
Abstract: According to Haitian-Canadian writer, director, and award-winning podcast producer Yasmine Mathurin, One of Ours (2021) is her attempt at understanding what it means to heal and what it means to belong. This documentary explores the intersecting politics of Blackness and Indigeneity through the journey of a young man named Josiah Wilson. Please register now for a free virtual screening of this important film, which will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A (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).

Active Voice: Angela Sterritt
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
7:00 pm
Zoom Webinar (by registration)
Presented by 2022 FIMS Asper Fellow Angela Sterritt. This event is hosted by Western's Alice Munro Chair in Creativity Ivan Coyote, in partnership with the Words Festival and Public Humanities at Western.
All are welcome to attend. 
Abstract: Please join us for this free and public performance series, which will bring some very exciting and compelling artists right to your own screens at home. Join writer and storyteller and Alice Munro Chair in Creativity Ivan Coyote as they welcome some of their favourite performers and makers to the virtual stage to share their songs and stories with you in this intimate and compelling investigation into the creative hearts of some of the finest contemporary voices working in their fields today (continue reading).

The Discourses of Drag Queen Story Time Challengers and Supporters
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Zoom (by registration)
Presented by Roger Chabot (LIS PhD'19) and Davin Helkenberg (LIS PhD'19) as part of the FIMS Seminar Series.
All are welcome to attend. For the Zoom link, contact Karen Kueneman at kueneman@uwo.ca.
Abstract: Drag Queen Story Time (DQST) is a relatively novel public library program where drag queens lead a story time for children and families. Libraries advertise this program as one that brings families together to celebrate diversity, difference, and being true to oneself. For hosting libraries, however, the program can also invite an onslaught of political warfare against gender and sexuality non-conformity, often prompting controversy that threatens to influence library policies (or law) to restrict intellectual freedom (continue reading).

mediations: Data Imaginaries 
Thursday, March 24, 2022
4:30 pm
Zoom
Talk presented by Melissa Adler, Sananda Sahoo and Luke Stark as part of the FIMS mediations Lecture Series. If you would like to attend this event, email fimsmediations@gmail.com to request the Zoom link.
Abstract: This panel will examine the role of information and its attendant technologies in social, cultural, psychological, and political contexts. Sananda Sahoo’s paper provides a frame for thinking about the history of data imaginaries, how data becomes legitimized, and what that data can do. Luke Stark asks, How did Silicon Valley companies get to a point where it seemed normal and desirable to develop “emotional artificial intelligence,” and what does that story tell us about the role of emotion in American society over the past century? Melissa Adler will talk about knowledge organization as a technique in cultivating a settler colonial imaginary, and how information infrastructures have been essential for empire expansion (continue reading).

Disinformation on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence and journalistic challenges
Thursday, April 28, 2022
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Zoom
A panel discussion presented by Anabel Quan-Haase, the FIMS Rogers Chair in Studies in Journalism and New Information Technology, featuring Ahmed Al-Rawi (Simon Fraser University), Alfred Hermida (University of British Columbia), Lauren Pelley (CBC News) and Craig Silverman (ProPublica). All are welcome to attend. 
Abstract: Social media has been a strategic tool used by governments, health agencies, and experts during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing rapid updates on topics such as health regulations, safety recommendations, and disease risk. Yet, with its unmoderated and fast-paced nature, social media has contributed to the spread of disinformation, fears, and distrust of experts and the mainstream media. A 2021 CBC Marketplace investigation identified hundreds of social media posts spreading disinformation and no initiatives on part of tech giants to deal with the problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an ‘infodemic’ that impairs effective health policy and requires immediate intervention. This panel will discuss many of the challenges confronted by journalists today with identifying and combatting disinformation (continue reading).


Important Dates


- Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Board and Senate Elections - Polls open for Students (8:00 am)
- Friday, March 18, 2022 - Meeting of the Senate (1:30 pm)


News & Announcements


Nominations open for Fantastic FIMS and Spirit of Librarianship awards
Nominations for the Spirit of Librarianship and Fantastic FIMS awards are now open! You have until Monday, March 10, 2022 at midnight to submit nominations for these awards. To submit a nomination, check your Western email for the call out and reply to the message. Your nomination should include an explanation as to why you are nominating that individual. You can submit multiple nominations. Questions about nominations can be sent to Andrew Cowley at acowley7@uwo.ca.

WTS offering free teaching technologies sessions for faculty and staff
Are you interested in new teaching technologies? Are you looking for new and different ways to engage your students? On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, representatives from Western Technology Services and Western Libraries will be presenting four short sessions on the free teaching technologies that are available to all Western Faculty and Staff. For more information and to register for the webinar, visit the Western Teaching Technologies Showcase page.


Awards & Accomplishments


FIMS instructor Juan Bello was awarded a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts (Explore and Create program: Concept to Realization) to produce The Telenovela Archives, a web-based project documenting the production of serialized fiction during the early years of television in Latin America (1950-1969).

MMJC student Griffin Jaeger is one of this year's recipients of the Joan Donaldson Scholarship, awarded by CBC News to aspiring journalists across Canada who have demonstrated strong potential for producing intelligent journalism. 

Tanaz Javan, HIS PhD candidate, successfully defended her PhD thesis titled, "Organizational Implementation of Trauma and Violence Informed Care" on February 28, 2022.


Publications & Presentations


HIS PhD student Ebenezer Martin-Yeboah and Professor Anabel Quan-Haase co-authored and presented "Deciphering Ontario Library Association’s health and wellbeing support to members during Covid-19 pandemic" at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference's poster session. 

Associate Professor & Assistant Dean (Research) Daniel Robinson published the following chapter:
D. Robinson, "Imperial Tobacco Canada and Health Reassurance Cigarette Marketing during the 1970s," in Charlene Elliott and Joshua Greenberg, eds., Communication and Health: Media, Marketing, and Risk (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022), 123-141.


In the Media


Media Studies PhD student Billie Anderson discussed the depiction of disability in film in the Film Cred article, "'Mad Max: Fury Road' and Disability," published March 3, 2022.

Professor Tim Blackmore joined London Live with Mike Stubbs on March 8, 2022 to discuss the images of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that are shared by media.

FIMS guest speaker Marisa Rosa Grant was interviewed by the Western Gazette ahead of their Black History Month talk, "Reflections on Black Queerness: Joy, History and Significance" hosted by FIMS and the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion on February 23, 2022.

Cityline aired a Black History Month tribute to Tracy Moore, MA'00 (Journalism), for her life and legacy in Canadian media on February 28, 2022.

Assistant Professor Selma Purac joined TVO's The Agenda to discuss whether people will return to watch movies in cinemas post-pandemic on March 3, 2022.

Media Studies PhD candidate Percy Sherwood was interviewed by 900CHML Hamilton Today about Patrick Brown's legal settlement with CTV News on March 9, 2022. He also joined 106.9 The X to discuss the Emergencies Act on February 15, 2022.

Professor Sharon Sliwinski was quoted in the National Post article, "'We want to see the source of terror': Why we're glued to social media as the Russia-Ukraine war unfolds," published on March 2, 2022. 

Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair in Art, Culture and Global Relations (Tier 2) Sarah Smith was featured in the Western News article, "Futurist’s 1960s vision inspires Western-curated exhibition," published on March 2, 2022. 

Media Studies graduate Kadie Ward (MA'07) discussed the events leading up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Ukrainian citizens' brave commitment to democratic values in the Western News article, "Expert Insight: Ukraine’s unwavering resolve to fight for democracy," published February 25, 2022.

Western's new Creative Arts & Production program, jointly offered by FIMS, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Don Wright Faculty of Music, was featured in the London Free Press article, "Creative solution: Western University program targets in-demand job skills," published on March 5, 2022.


Additional Activities of Note


From Remote Stars exhibit now open at Museum London 
Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair in Art, Culture and Global Relations (Tier 2) Sarah Smith co-curated From Remote Stars: Buckminster Fuller, London, and Speculative Futures, a major exhibition at Museum London running until May 15, 2022. The exhibition looks architect R. Buckminster Fuller's 1968 ideas of a techno-utopian future of the planet he calls Spaceship Earth, and explores how yesterday’s inspiration for a sustainable planet has evolved into today’s complex reality of global interdependence, big data, artificial intelligence and climate change.


News from the FIMS Graduate Library


The Emerging Library and Information Perspectives Journal (ELIP) is looking for cover art to celebrate our 5th edition of the Journal!
Please contact Lisa (lbowker@uwo.ca) if you’re interested in this opportunity.

Textures of Your Pandemic Experience: a FIMS Graduate Community Zine Project
     Friday March 11, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (drop-in)
     Wednesday March 16, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (drop-in)
     Wednesday March 23, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (drop-in)

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. The workshop will cover a short history and introduction to zines and provide resources for the creation of your own pages. Then there will be time for everyone to create together. Registration is not required. Please drop in if you are interested. 

Game On: A Workshop on Developing Board Game Programming and Collecting Games in Libraries with Carlie Forsythe
     Tuesday, March 22, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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.

Working in the Knowledge Management Field: A Discussion with Sarah Morrison
     Monday March 28, 12:00-1:00 pm [Re-scheduled]

Good news! We were able to reschedule our Knowledge Management workshop. Join Sarah Morrison, 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 register for any of these workshops, email fimslib@uwo.ca. A Zoom link will be sent to you before the event. Those who registered for the last date need not re-register. You’re already on the list.

Printing in the FIMS Nursing Building
Are you back on campus and need to print an assignment? Now that we’re back on campus, you can! Get familiar with FIMS printing by checking out these how-to videos so you’ll be all set when you get to the library.

myFIMS Printing: Introduction and Printing from a FIMS Computer
myFIMS Printing: Web Print Tutorial
myFIMS Printing: Troubleshooting Tutorial

FIMS Graduate Library Virtual Service Desk
Virtual Service Desk drop-in hours have been cancelled as we move forward with in-person services. If you would like to meet over Zoom to discuss your library or research needs, please email us at fimslib@uwo.ca to schedule a time to meet.


FIMS Undergraduate Round-Up


FIMS student receives prestigious Cansbridge Fellowship
MIT student Rubaina Singla is one of four Western students named to the 2022 cohort of The Cansbridge Fellowship program, and joins only 175 Canadian students selected to join the prestigious fellowship since its inception in 2011.


News from Western Libraries


Western Libraries Financial Support for Open Access
Western Libraries is pleased to share new publisher agreements supporting Western authors. Authors do not pay APCs (article processing charges) to publish Open Access in Cambridge, PLOS, and Sage journals, and several publishers offer a discount. The Western News story "Journal agreements make Western research more accessible"  provides additional background and describes the benefits realized by many authors. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to wlrsc@uwo.ca.


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 23, 2022. The deadline for submissions is noon on Tuesday, March 22, 2022.