No. 518 - April 3, 2024

  • Coming Events:

    - FIMSWrites - Winter Edition
    - FIMS 9328 - Misinformation and Viral Deception Poster Session
    "'Lies and Scams and Myths. Oh My!' Pulling Back The Curtain on Manipulative Deceptive Behaviours: Case Studies and Preventative Strategies"
    - Libraries Do Good Work
    - Generating Community: An Interdisciplinary FIMS Grad Conference
    - Gender-Based Violence & the Sustainable Development Goals: Research & Knowledge Mobilization to Drive Change
    - Save the Date: GradCast: Disseminating Academic Research on Air
    - Save the Date: Generative AI: A Disuptive Game Changer in Higher Education
    - Save the Date: Gaming the Future: How Video Games Help Us Play What's to Come
    - Save the Date: Public Health and Safety: An Integrative Review Examining the Use of Pharmaceutical AI for Evergreening
    - Save the Date: Feedback and Focus: Exploring Post-Secondary Students' Perception of Feedback, Mindfulness, and Stress

  • Important Dates:

    - Monday, April 8, 2024 - Last day of classes for undergraduate students
    - Thursday, April 11 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024 - Undergraduate exam period
    - Friday, April 12, 2024 - Last day of classes for FIMS graduate programs
    - Friday, April 19, 2024 - Meeting of the Senate (1:30 PM, Somerville House)
    - Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - Board of Governors Meeting (10 AM, WIRB)
    - Friday, May 3, 2024 - Orientation for new MLIS students
    - Monday, May 6, 2024 - First day of classes for FIMS graduate programs

  • News & Announcements:

    - AI study seeks instructor participants
    - Western appoints new Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian

  • Awards & Accomplishments:

    - Melanie Mills

    Publications & Presentations:

    - Revna Altiok
    - Heather Hill
    - Joanna Redden
    - Kamran Sedig
    - Tom Streeter

  • In the Media:

    - Noah Brennan
    - Jeremy Copeland
    - Anabel Quan-Haase

  • Additional Activities of Note:

    - Vicky Chung

  • News from the FIMS Graduate Library:

    - Upcoming Research Presentations, Poster Sessions in the FGL
    - Professional Portraits
    - Intersession Hours
    - Make of the Month

  • Next Issue:


Coming Events


FIMSWrites - Winter Edition
Every Wednesday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Check your Western email for the Zoom link (or contact Pam McKenzie).
Do you expect to have assignment, story, article, report, thesis, and/or book writing deadlines coming up this term? Does having other people writing around you help keep you on-task? Then join us for FIMSWrites, an informal initiative to provide some solidarity in the sometimes-solitary writing process. What it is: a group of people sitting silently together working on their individual writing projects for 25-minute Pomodoro sessions, with short breaks between and a longer mid-morning coffee, snack, and socializing break (virtual fika). What it's not: a writing tutorial or workshop. Open to FIMS faculty and grad students who have writing to work on.

FIMS 9328 - Misinformation and Viral Deception Poster Session
"'Lies and Scams and Myths. Oh My!' Pulling Back the Curtain on Manipulative Deceptive Behaviours: Case Studies and Preventative Strategies"
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
FNB Atrium (first floor)
The FIMS community and wider Western community are invited to check out work from over 20 graduate students enrolled in FIMS 9328. Light refreshments will be provided.

Libraries Do Good Work
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Museum London (421 Ridout St. North)
Presented by Emily Drabinski, President of the American Library Association (ALA). Everyone is welcome.
Description: Librarians are experts at the pivot. We move between print indexes, CD-ROMS, and relational databases with ease, leaping big technology shifts in a single bound. We connect students to reading materials of all kinds, create sanctuary for our most vulnerable students, all while advocating for ourselves and our communities inside and outside the building (continue reading).

Generating Community: An Interdisciplinary FIMS Grad Conference
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
FIMS & Nursing Building
Since FIMS graduate programs are home to media studies, communication, health-based, and information science research united by a common ethos of engaged scholarship and practice, this conference brings together graduate student researchers and topics from a variety of domains. The conference is open to all graduate students in the Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS), offering a valuable opportunity for students to share their work with members of the FIMS community. Visit the conference website.

Gender-Based Violence & the Sustainable Development Goals: Research & Knowledge Mobilization to Drive Change
Thursday, April 18, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
WIRB 3000
Presented by Kaitlynn Mendes and Nadine Wathen.
Abstract: Professors Kaitlynn Mendes and Nadine Wathen will discuss their current research programs in the area of gender-based violence, and how they relate to key SDGs. Mendes’ research works to better understand and combat gender inequalities and their relationship with digital technologies, while Wathen works to develop, test and mobilize policy and practice interventions to prevent and respond to violence against women.

Save the Date: GradCast: Disseminating Academic Research on Air
Thursday, April 11, 2024
4:30 p.m.
FNB 4110
Presented by Mark Ambrogio, Amalie Hutchinson (Biology) and Meghan Voll.
Abstract: TBA

Save the Date: Generative AI: A Disruptive Game Changer in Higher Education
Thursday, April 18, 2024
4:30 p.m.
FNB 4110
Presented by Olateju Jumoke Ajanaku Olateju.
Abstract: TBA

Save the Date: Gaming the Future: How Video Games Help Us Play What's to Come
Thursday, April 25, 2024
4:30 p.m.
FNB 4110
Presented by Sina Torabi.
Abstract: TBA

Save the Date: Public Health and Safety: An Integrative Review Examining the Use of Pharmaceutical AI for Evergreening
Thursday, May 2, 2024
4:30 p.m.
FNB 4110
Presented by Earlel Thiyagaratnam.
Abstract: TBA

Save the Date: Feedback and Focus: Exploring Post-Secondary Students' Perception of Feedback, Mindfulness, and Stress
Thursday, May 9, 2024
4:30 p.m.
FNB 4110
Presented by Erin Isings and Hugh Samson.
Abstract: TBA
 


Important Dates

- Monday, April 8, 2024 - Last day of classes for undergraduate students
- Thursday, April 11 - Tuesday, April 30, 2024 - Undergraduate exam period
- Friday, April 12, 2024 - Last day of classes for FIMS graduate programs
- Friday, April 19, 2024 - Meeting of the Senate (1:30 PM, Somerville House)
- Wednesday, April 24, 2024 - Board of Governors Meeting (10 AM, WIRB)
- Friday, May 3, 2024 - Orientation for new MLIS students
- Monday, May 6, 2024 - First day of classes for FIMS graduate programs


News & Announcements


AI study seeks instructor participants
Western Education researchers are seeking instructors to participate in the “Perceptions of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Usage at Western University – Online Survey” study. The study aims to explore instructors’ perceptions of the use of GenAI (e.g., ChatGPT) in higher education.

Participants will be tasked with an online survey that takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you may indicate if you would like to participate in a 1-hour virtual focus group at a later time. Your responses will be kept confidential.

Interested? Please click here: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4URsHmlUvkfbpBA

If you have any questions, please contact Faculty of Education Assistant Prof. Dr. Albert Malkin at amalkin5@uwo.ca 

Western appoints new Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian
Geoffrey Robert Little has been named the new vice-provost and Chief Librarian of Western Libraries. Little comes to Western from Concordia University and his five-year term begins on July 22. For more information, read the Western News article "Geoffrey Little named new vice-prevost and chief librarian."


Awards & Accomplishments


FIMS Graduate Library Director Melanie Mills has been appointed as Acting Associate Chief Librarian for Western Libraries. The one-year appointment will begin on May 15, 2024.


Publications & Presentations

Revna Altiok, Media Studies PhD student, presented a paper titled "Unveiling Ken: The Healing Journey of a Manic Pixie Dream Boy" at a virtual conference called 'You Can Be Anything': Imagining and Interrogating Barbie in Popular Culture (March 26-28).

Associate Professor Heather Hill presented a keynote lecture titled "What does it mean to belong at the library?" at the 2024 Forum for Information Professionals, hosted by the University of Alberta on March 1.

Associate Professor Joanna Redden co-authored the following book:

Curran, J. and Redden, J. (2024) Understanding Media: Communication, Power and Social Change, London: Penguin

Professor Redden also co-authored the following book chapter:

Beresford, H., Muis, I., Oman, S., Redden, J., Renkema, E., Tichenor, M., Bentley, C., Cerratto-Pargman, T. and Bates, J. (2024)
"Practitioners Interventions in Data Power," in Dialogues in Data Power: Shifting Response-abilities in a Datafied World. Bristol: Bristol University Press: Bristol.

And lastly, Professor Redden, in collaboration with Professor Tom Streeter, contributed to a brief submitted to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology that provides critiques of Bill C-27, currently being reviewed by the Committee. The brief was led by Sara Bannerman and Karen Smith.

Bannerman, S., Smith, K.L., Redden, J., Akanbi, O., Maqsood, S., Obar, J. and Streeter, T. (2023) Submission to The Standing Committee on Industry and Technology on Bill C-27, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, November, https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/441/INDU/Brief/BR12793483/br-external/Jointly8-e.pdf 

Professor Kamran Sedig co-authored a paper titled "Unlocking the Power of Explainability in Ranking Systems: A Visual Analytics Approach with XAI Techniques" that was published in the proceedings of the International Workshop on Explainable Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.


In the Media

MMJC student Noah Brennon and MMJC lecturer Jeremy Copeland were both quoted in an article titled "Meet 3 future journalists determined to evolve with the changing news industry," published on CBC News on April 3.

Professor Anabel Quan-Haase was a guest on the Craig Needles Podcast on March 20 in an episode titled "Time to ban TikTok?" to discuss the possible implications of a wholesale US ban of the popular social media platform.


Additional Activities of Note


MLIS co-op student Vicky Chung was given a shoutout for her work in the University of Waterloo's most recent Library Annual Report. Vicky has been working in research data management and helping to implement RDM strategies across campus.


News from the FIMS Graduate Library


Upcoming Research Presentations, Poster Sessions in the FGL

We are pleased to support the upcoming ‘Generating Community’ FIMS Grad Conference on Tuesday, April 9th, both as a sponsor of the Conference Keynote, and by hosting ‘Making, Thinking, & Living Well’ concurrent sessions, from 1-2pm, EST.

Additionally, we are proud to host Professor Shengnan Yang’s LIS 9004 class on the morning of April 10th, from 9am-12pm, EST. All members of the FIMS community are welcome to visit, to engage with student researchers, to view their posters. Please join us!

Professional Portraits (Complimentary, Drop-In)

Back by popular demand, The FIMS Grad Library and Broadcasting Services teams are delighted to offer complimentary, high-quality headshots to members of the FIMS Graduate community (students, faculty, and staff) over the next two weeks! Whether you're graduating and aiming to spruce up your LinkedIn profile, or seeking to enhance your online professional presence, swing by the Library during specified times/days to have your photo taken by skilled professionals equipped with professional photography equipment and lighting. No registration required; simply drop-in! Plus, you can select your preferred backdrop, whether it's the library's open stacks or a contemporary setting with modern lighting. Join us!

• Wednesday, April 3rd (12-1pm)
• Monday, April 8th (12-1pm)
• Wednesday, April 10th (12-1pm)

Intersession Hours

(Saturday, April 13th – Sunday, May 5th, 2024)

Please note our condensed hours during Intersession this spring are:

Monday – Thursday, 10am-2pm;
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday (CLOSED).

As ever, additional support is available during regular business hours by contacting FGL staff at: fimslib@uwo.ca.

Make of the Month | Spring Paper Flowers!

Get ready to bloom with creativity with April's Make of the Month!

Join us all April long for a paper flower-making extravaganza where we'll be diving into the art of crafting blooms without the need for gardening skills.

🌼 Drop-on and assemble pre-cut flower designs; perfect for beginners or those short on time.

🌺 Learn to design and make your very own flowers using the Cricut; a great opportunity to learn a popular piece of library technology!

These stunning flowers aren't just for show – you can use them to…

🌻 Brighten up your workspace with a pop of color on your desk.

🌷 Create a beautiful spring-themed wreath to adorn your door.

💐 Frame them as a heartfelt gift for a loved one.

Whether you're a beginner or seasoned crafter, this month’s ‘Make’ is perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of spring to their life!

Graduating? Want to Transfer Your Print Credits?

Graduating this term? Still have funds on your PaperCut account? Want to transfer that money to a friend or make the day of an incoming student? You can do that! Login to your PaperCut account and click on the ‘Transfers’ button on the left-hand menu. Enter the amount you want to transfer and the username of the person to whom you want to transfer it and that's it.


Next Issue


The FIMS 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 .

This is the final issue of the FIMS Bulletin for the Winter 2024 term. The Bulletin will now switch to the summer schedule and will be published once per month on the following days: May 15, June 12, July 10 and August 7.