No. 527 - November 20, 2024

  • Coming Events:

    - FIMSWrites Fall Edition
    - Media, Information & Trump 2.0 - Open Forum
    - International students' challenges and the role of social media as a coping mechanism
    - Comparing Overton Bibliometric Data with Scopus and Google Scholar for Measuring Individual Researcher Impact in the Environmental Science Field
    - Film Screening: Reclaiming Now
    - The Iron Web: The Kremlin's Battle for Minds at Home and Abroad
    - Computers and You: Black Women and Early Digital Culture in Essence

  • Important Dates:

    - Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Meeting of the Board of Governors (10 AM, WIRB)
    - Friday, December 6, 2024 - Last day of classes for undergraduate programs
    - Friday, December  13, 2024 - Last day of classes for FIMS graduate programs

  • Publications & Presentations:

    - Chris Arsenault
    - Basil Chiasson
    - Eric Dahatschek (MA'78, Journalism)
    - Giada Ferrucci
    - Eden Hoffer
    - Santasil Mallik
    - Anabel Quan-Haase

  • In the Media:

    - Sarah Alakshar
    - Sheima Benembarek
    - Alissa Centivany
    - Anabel Quan-Haase
    - Dan Smoke
    - Luke Stark
    - Sam Trosow (professor emeritus)

  • Additional Activities of Note:

    - Selma Purac
    - First episode of Guardians of Sleep, Season 2 podcast, released (Sharon Sliwinski with Erin MacIndoe Sproul, MA'21, Media Studies, Makayla Gallo, MIT student, Victoria Li, BA'24, MIT, and Andrew Braun, MA'20, Media Studies)

  • News from the FIMS Grad Library:

    - Make of the Month - November
    - Make of the Month - December

  • Next Issue:


Coming Events


FIMSWrites Fall Edition
Every Wednesday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
FNB 4130, or Zoom
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 a morning, with a mid-morning coffee, snack, and socializing break (fika). What it's not: a writing tutorial or workshop. Join us in person or on Zoom (check your Western email for a message from Pam McKenzie to find the Meeting ID).

Media, Information & Trump 2.0 - Open Forum
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Creative Commons, FIMS & Nursing Building (2nd floor)
Presented by the Starling Centre for Just Societies and Just Technologies. Join the Starling Centre scholars at this open forum to discuss the results of the recent American election and the implications of Trump 2.0.

International students' challenges and the role of social media as a coping mechanism
Thursday, November 21, 2024
4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Attend in-person: FNB 4130
Attend online: Zoom link
Presented by Sara Falahatpisheh, PhD candidate in Media Studies, as part of the Mediations 2024/25 Lecture Series.
Abstract: Canada’s international student population is growing significantly faster than its competitors; namely, the United States, the UK, and Australia. By the end of 2023, the number of international students in Canada increased to more than 1 million, indicating a 30% growth compared to the previous year. It is expected that almost half a million new study permits to be issued for incoming international students in 2024 (continue reading).

Comparing Overton Bibliometric Data with Scopus and Google Scholar for Measuring Individual Researcher Impact in the Environmental Science Field
Thursday, November 21, 2024
5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Attend in-person: FNB 4130
Attend online: Zoom link
Presented by Lindsay Adoranti and Melissa Cameron, MLIS students, as part of the Mediations 2024/25 Lecture Series.
Abstract: Bibliometrics is an important aspect of determining the research impact of a scientific article. Although the research impact of an article can be measured in several ways, citation counts are a popular and straightforward method to determine the number of times a research article is cited in another article or book (continue reading).

Film Screening: Reclaiming Now
Thursday, November 21, 2024
6:30 p.m.
Frank Holmes Centre - Theatre, Huron University
Register.
The Centre for Global Studies at Huron University presents Dr. Allison Lindner, University College, UK. The film Reclaiming Now is based on Dr. Lindner's research on waste pickers in South Africa and their struggle to enjoy the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development as promised in the South African constitution.

The Iron Web: The Kremlin's Battle for Minds at Home and Abroad
Thursday, November 28, 2024
5:00 p.m.
Attend in-person: FNB 4130
Attend online: Zoom link TBA
Presented by Eduard Sviridenko, PhD candidate in Media Studies, as part of the Mediations 2024/25 Lecture Series.
Abstract: This paper examines the role of Russian propaganda in shaping public opinion and political narratives, both domestically and internationally, focusing on its evolution from historical foundations to contemporary digital strategies (continue reading).

Computers and You: Black Women in Early Digital Culture in Essence
Thursday, December 5, 2024
5:00 p.m.
Attend in-person: FNB 4130
Attend online: Zoom link TBA
Presented by Myrna Moretti, Postdoctoral Associate, as part of the Mediations 2024/25 Lecture Series.
Abstract: In the 1980s, the magazine Essence published numerous columns and articles about the changes and opportunities of the burgeoning computer age. This paper offers an overview of how the coverage evolved over the course of the decade with particular attention to the ways that habits and time management were evoked (continue reading). 


Important Dates


- Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Meeting of the Board of Governors (10 AM, WIRB)
- Friday, December 6, 2024 - Last day of classes for undergraduate programs
- Friday, December  13, 2024 - Last day of classes for FIMS graduate programs


Publications & Presentations


Assistant Professor Chris Arsenault authored an article titled "Changes to permits for international students reward the worst colleges and hurt serious researchers," published in Policy Options on November 11. 

Assistant Professor Basil Chiasson recently published the following papers:

(2024), "Jane Stanton Hitchcock and Harold Pinter: The Case of Vanilla." The Harold Pinter Review: Essays on Contemporary Drama 8: 33-60.

(2024), "An Interview with Jane Stanton Hitchcock." The Harold Pinter Review: Essays on Contemporary Drama 8: 61-71.

(2024), "Pinter, Kane, and Trauma Today", The Harold Pinter Review: Essays on Contemporary Drama 8.1: 90-101.

Eric Dahatschek (MA'78, Journalism) authored an article announcing his retirement from sports journalism titled "After 46 years a sportswriter, Eric Duhatschek is signing off," published in The Athletic on November 8.

Giada Ferrucci, Postdoctoral Associate, published the following paper:

Ferrucci, G. (2024, October). Through Ecocriticism and Affect Theory, Exploring Climate Change Artistry: The Ice Receding/Books Reseeding Project. In FORUM: University of Edinburgh Postgraduate Journal of Culture & the Arts (Vol. 35, No. 1). https://journals.ed.ac.uk/forum/article/view/10039/12826

Eden Hoffer, HIS PhD candidate, authored an article titled "3 potential consequences of Ontario's reluctance to deem intimate partner violence an epidemic" published in The Conversation on November 13. The article was subsequently republished by Western News, Tolerance.ca, the Waterloo Region Record, and EliotLakeToday.com. 

Santasil Mallik, Media Studies PhD candidate, presented his paper "The Documentary Approaches the Dead, Again: Historiographic Rethinking of Communal Violence in India," at the International Association for Photography and Theory (IAPT) conference held at the CYENS Centre of Excellence, Nicosia, Cyprus, from November 7-9.

Professor Anabel Quan-Haase appeared in or published the following presentations and papers:

Invited departmental speaker: Quan-Haase, A. (November 13, 2024). “Digital mobilization across platforms: Two case studies” Department of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin

Panel: (October 31, 2024) Anabel Quan-Haase, Takuya Maeda, Hillary Anderson, Mike Adorjan, Muyang Li. MediaSmarts Digital Literacy Week. Experiences Researching Artificial Intelligence Literacy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9I8TJ0sZfQ 

Petrovčič, A., Reisdorf, B., Quan-Haase, A., Bartol, J. & Grošelj, D. (2024). A comparison of digital inequalities among internet users before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Two cross-sectional surveys of internet users in Slovenia. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 209, 123745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123745 

Petrovčič, A., Quan-Haase, A., Reisdorf, B., Žádní, S., Hvalič-Touzery, S., & Laznik, D. (2024). Categorical and resource inequalities in direct and indirect internet use among older adults in Slovenia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology in Society, 79, 102735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102735

 


In the Media


Sarah Alakshar, HIS PhD candidate, was featured in an article titled "Western PhD candidate studies impact of smartphone use in youth," published by Western News on November 5. The article was a reprint of a profile written by Andres J. Mona (MMJC'24) for a class assignment in Winter 2024.

Current FIMS Asper Fellow Sheima Benembarek was a guest on CBC London Morning on November 7 in segment titled "What role does feminism play in Islam?" The interview was in advance of Benembarek's event held the same day and titled Breaking Barriers: Womxn Imams in Conversation. A video of the conversation can also be seen on the CBC website in a clip titled "A discussion about feminism and the Muslim faith."

The Asper Fellow event itself was covered in an article titled "Breaking barriers: Pioneering womxn imams redefine leadership in Islam," published in the Gazette on November 14.

Assistant Professor Alissa Centivany was a guest on CBC Afternoon Drive on November 11 for a segment titled "Western University professor fights for Canadian's right to repair."

Professor Centivany also participated in a Q&A titled "What new right to repair laws mean for Canadians with products in need of a fix," published on CBC News on November 13.

Professor Anabel Quan-Haase joined CBC London Morning on November 10 to discuss the Canadian government's ban of TikTok's Canadian operations. The clip is titled "The government bans TikTok's Canadian operations. Should we continue to use the platform?" 

The passing of Indigenous broadcaster, FIMS friend, and elder Dan Smoke was covered by the London Free Press in an article titled "Longtime Indigenous broadcast Dan Smoke mourned: 'Transformative'" published on November 5. News of Dan's passing was also shared on CBC London Morning.

Assistant Professor Luke Stark was a guest on The Current with Matt Galloway (scroll forward to 1:05:30) on November 19 to discuss a case in which a mother believes her son was led to take his own life by an AI chatbot. She is suing Google and Character.ai.

Sam Trosow, Professor Emeritus, is quoted in an articled titled "After a brief retreat, politicians are again clamouring for the notwithstanding clause," published on CBC News on November 13.


Additional Activities of Note

Assistant Professor Selma Purac was tapped as an expert for a seven-part podcast titled "Generation Barney," produced by NPR. She appears in the fourth episode, to be aired on November 26. The podcast is "about the purple dinosaur. But it's also about music and love and backlash and toys and nostalgia."

Professor Sharon Sliwinski released the first episode of Season 2 of her podcast Guardians of Sleep. The season kicks off with an episode that features Abigail Echo-Hawk, an international leader in Indigenous public health research and the decolonization of data, who has been profiled by the NY Times and was just named to Time magazine's Next 100. In this episode, Echo-Hawk speaks with Dr. Sofia Locklear about how her trailblazing work on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls was inspired by a dream. The episode was edited by current and former FIMS students: Erin MacIndoe Sproule (MA'21, Media Studies), Mikayla Gallo (MIT student), and Victoria Li (BA'24, MIT). The music is composed by Andrew Braun (MA'20, Media Studies).


News from the FIMS Grad Library


Upcoming Events at the Library

The FGL hosts workshops, lectures, and community events each term to support graduate teaching, learning, and research. Events are posted to our website (https://lib.fims.uwo.ca/events/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fimsgradlib/)

Make of the Month – November
Metallic Book Corners: Beautify and Protect Your Books!

Is your favorite book's cover looking a little worse for wear? Or are you planning to gift a book this holiday season and want to add a touch of elegance? The FIMS Grad Library has the perfect solution: Metallic Book Corners!

Stop by the library anytime in November (or December if supplies last) and attach these stylish accents to your book. Not only will they add a sophisticated flair, but they’ll also help preserve your book for years to come.

All materials are provided on a first-come, first served basis.

Make of the Month – December
Homemade Winter & Holiday Card-Making

In December we’re putting the Cricut from our Makerspace to good use and making winter and holiday-themed cards. If you need a break from your coursework or research, visit us in the Library to put your creativity (and crafting skills) to good use.

We supply the materials, and even a few pre-cut designs to make and take. Themes include winter wonderland, happy holidays, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza and more.

If the pre-cut cards aren't your style, browse our catalogue of cards that can be cut from the Cricut in ten minutes or less! We'll show you how.


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.

The final Fall 2024 issue of the FIMS Bulletin will be published on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Submit any items you have by noon on Tuesday, December 3.