The Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS) at Western University is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about media, communications and information technologies. Across our various programs, we foster two key capacities in our students: the ability to think critically about the world in which we live, and the skill and confidence to make an intervention in the communities and lifeworlds we inhabit. To that end, we are proud to showcase the outstanding student and faculty work happening here at FIMS.
Recent highlights of creative and scholarly work
Western’s new downtown site
Two FIMS-affiliated proposals for a community video studio and community-engaged learning (CEL) hub in Western’s newly acquired downtown London building at 450 Talbot St. were featured in the Western News article, “Western’s downtown site to bolster community connections,” published on May 10, 2022.
Views from Italy: MLIS Profile
MLIS student Meghan O’Neill was profiled for the FIMS news piece, “Views from Italy: MLIS student Meghan O’Neill’s traineeship at the European University Institute Library,” published on May 11, 2022.
Misinformation & Viral Deception posters
The end-of-course case study projects by the Winter 2022 students of FIMS 9328: Misinformation & Viral Deception are now available to view in an interactive digital Sway site: Misinformation and Disinformation Case Studies: How to Curb the Infodemic?
Remarkable Books Digital Exhibit
The Remarkable Books digital exhibit showcases LIS 9675: History of the Book & Book Preservation Basics Winter 2022 students’ final projects, exploring books that are renowned throughout history for their content and structure.
LIS 9004 Research Showcase
The Winter 2022 students of LIS 9004: Research Methods and Statistics invite you to check out their end-of-term virtual poster session on Sway, featuring diverse projects that explore libraries, librarianship, and more.
How digital communication has changed
Professor Anabel Quan-Haase joined CBC Afternoon Drive to discuss her research on how comfort levels with digital communication have changed during the pandemic on May 11, 2022.
Cree author questions why book removed
Associate Professor & MLIS Program Chair Heather Hill was quoted in the CBC News Toronto article “Cree author questions why Durham District School Board removed his book from shelves,” published on May 1, 2022.
Western grads at Oscars 2022
MIT alumna Liz Trinnear (BA’10) interviewed fellow Western graduate Simu Liu (HBA’11) and gave a shoutout to Western during Etalk’s red carpet interview at the Oscars on March 27, 2022.
CODA’s Oscars win
Media Studies PhD candidate Billie Anderson published the article, “Despite its Oscar win, CODA is still a film that depicts deafness as a burden,” in The Conversation Canada on March 30, 2022. The article was also republished by Western News.
Hannah Alper’s Formula for Change
First-year MIT student & environmental activist Hannah Alper is featured in the Western video, “The Formula for Changing the World – Hannah Alper, Activist & Influencer,” uploaded to YouTube on March 28, 2022.
The Chalatenango Massacres
“The Chalatenango Massacres,” a documentary project produced by FIMS instructor Juan Bello, was selected for the Festival international du film d’histoire de Montréal [Montreal International History Film Festival – FIFHM]. The online program will be available starting May 18, 2022.
From Remote Stars at Museum London
Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair in Art, Culture and Global Relations (Tier 2) Sarah E.K. Smith’s exhibition From Remote Stars: Buckminster Fuller, London, Speculative Futures at Museum London was reviewed on Akimbo on March 31, 2022.
Canada’s new bill supporting news media
Professor Anabel Quan-Haase was quoted in The New York Times article, “Canada Introduces Bill Requiring Online Giants to Share Revenues with Publishers,” published on April 5, 2022.
MMJC student a 2022 Donaldson Scholar
MMJC student Griffin Jaeger is featured in the FIMS News piece, “MMJC student Griffin Jaeger named 2022 Joan Donaldson CBC News Scholar,” published on March 23, 2022.
Patrick Brown’s defamation lawsuit
Media Studies PhD candidate Percy Sherwood joined Global News AM900 CHML’s Hamilton Today with Scott Thompson on March 9, 2022 to discuss the defamation lawsuit between CTV News and Patrick Brown.
Do libraries need social workers on staff?
Associate Professor and Chair of the MLIS program Heather Hill was quoted in the CBC News article, “Do libraries need social workers on staff? Some librarians say yes” published on March 16, 2022.
Dispatches from the Place of Imminence
Professor Svitlana Matviyenko, a former FIMS instructor and a recent research collaborator with Professor Nick Dyer-Witheford, is publishing a war blog from inside Ukraine. She is currently in her home town of Kamianets-Podilskyi, writing about what she is experiencing first-hand.
Downtown London rent increases
Associate Professor Sam Trosow joined London Live with Mike Stubbs on AM980 to discuss how the increase in rent prices affects commercial buildings in downtown London on March 17, 2022.
Romayne Smith Fullerton awarded Faculty Scholar
Associate Professor Romayne Smith Fullerton has been awarded a Faculty Scholar appointment (2022-24) for her significant recent scholarly achievements.
Cinema in a Post-COVID World
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.
CAP targets in-demand job skills
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.
MMJC Student 2022 CBC Scholar
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.
Russia-Ukraine war on social media
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.
BHM tribute to Tracy Moore
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.