Current News & Events
Past News & Events >Please note that all academic job postings are now posted only on the Human Resources website and all applications must be submitted online here.
May 16, 2025 | Graduate Studies
2025 McIntosh Colloquium
The Department of English and Writing Studies McIntosh Colloquium awarded Megan McLennan with its annual prize for her paper “‘[S]he came out of my brain’: Vilette and Endocryptic Identification,” a reading of preservative repression and the possibilities of female liberation in Charlotte Brontë’s novel.
The McIntosh Colloquium, which took place May 14 and 15 2025, confers a $900 prize for the best public lecture given by a 4th-year PhD student on a topic growing out of the dissertation.
Zara Diab received an honourable mention for her interpretation of literature’s relationship to incel culture in “The American Nightmare: How the Pining Male Protagonist in 20th Century US Fiction Enables Incel Entitlement.”
[Pictured: Megan McLennan with McIntosh adjudicators: Professors Doelman, MacLean and Schneider]
May 7, 2025 | The Gazette
Paul Werstine: the King’s prof who probably saved your English grade
A lovely tribute in The Gazette to Professor Paul Werstine’s incredible legacy in Shakespeare studies and in the classroom.
May 5, 2025 | The Gazette
From London to the New Yorker: Gabrielle Drolet
Former Student Writer-in-Residence Gabrielle Drolet, BA’20, has made history as the first woman nominated for a National Newspaper Award in editorial cartooning.
April 3, 2025 | CBC Books
Celebrating creative writing at Western
Congratulations to Writing Studies professor Aaron Schneider, who has made the 2025 CBC Short Story Prize longlist for, "On a Tuesday in November."
April 1, 2025 | The Gazette
Western introduces creative writing major
Since November 2023, Michael Fox, Director of Writing Studies, has led the development of Western's most intensive creative writing major. A key component of the module is building soft skills such as empathy, active listening, and evaluative judgment - qualities Fox believes make people more empathetic, better listeners, more well-rounded individuals, and able to make meaningful contributions in any field.
March 7, 2025 | The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction
Erica McKeen (BA'19, MA'20) longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction
Her latest novel, Cicada Summer, has been longlisted for the prestigious literary award featuring 15 unforgettable works of fiction by women writers in the U.S. and Canada, spanning novels, short story collections, and fiction in translation.
January 26, 2025 | Not Just the Tudors
Weather Extremes in England's Little Ice Age
Listen as Professors Madeline Bassnett and Laurie Johnson discuss England’s Little Ice Age and the Weather Extremes in the Little Ice Age database on the Not Just the Tudors podcast. Hear insights from their joint research on how England adapted to severe weather conditions, uncover fascinating historical accounts, and explore humanity's resilience in the face of climate adversity.
January 15, 2025 | Western News
Western Libraries celebrates excellence in undergraduate research
Five undergraduate students awarded for use of library and archival resources, including Karen Wen, second-year English Language and Literature student in the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts & Humanities.
December 19, 2024 | Western News
Toward a sustainable future through art and literature
Arts and humanities professors, Joshua Schuster and Kirsty Robertson, unravel the role that art and literature play in spurring action on climate change.
December 4, 2024 | The Conversation
Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’ disrupts popular narratives of Mumbai
Anmol Dutta, Ph.D. Candidate discusses Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia's award-winning film, All We Imagine as Light, which presents a nuanced depiction of India, distinct from mainstream representations in Hindi cinema (Bollywood) and Western perceptions.
November 28, 2024 | Western News
Young Adult Fiction gets a boost at Western
Professor Miranda Green-Barteet, a passionate advocate for young adult fiction, inspired Canadian actor Kelly Rowan during her return to studies in English and creative writing at Western. Together, they’ve helped highlight the significance of YA literature and writing through the introduction of the Writing Prize for Young Adult Fiction. This new award, supported by Rowan, is open to undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and celebrates creativity and storytelling. Contest opens February 28, 2025.
November 12, 2024 | College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University
25th Susanne M. Glasscock Book Prize
The Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research at Texas A&M University has awarded the Twenty-Fifth Annual Susanne M. Glasscock Humanities Book Prize for Interdisciplinary Scholarship to Joshua Schuster, for his book What is Extinction? A Natural and Cultural History of Last Animals, published by Fordham University Press in 2023.
November 11, 2024 | The Gazette
USC hosts Remembrance Day ceremony
Gerry Dell, an Indigenous veteran, survivor of the Sixties Scoop and Western fourth-year English student, spoke about the cost of war and read a poem at the Western Remembrance Day ceremony hosted by the USC.
October 29, 2024 | The Conversation
New insights from Shakespeare’s England reveal striking parallels to contemporary climate change
Professor Madeline Bassnett and collaborator Laurie Johnson uncover parallels between Shakespeare’s England and contemporary climate change in The Conversation.
October 29, 2024 | The Conversation
What the Menendez brothers’ case tells us about the moral paradox of true crime
Professor Michael Arntfield reflects on an infamous murder case in The Conversation: 'What the Menendez brothers' case tells us about the moral paradox of true crime.
October 29, 2024 | International & Exchange Student Centre
Emma Cleland, BA'24, Regional Winner in the 2024 Global Undergraduate Awards
Emma’s award-winning essay, “Corpse Watching: Witnessing and the Eyes of the Others in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” was originally written for Professor Jonathan Boulter's English 2301E - British Literature Survey.
October 10, 2024 | Western News
Author and lawyer joins Western as 2024-25 writer-in-residence
Western’s new writer-in-residence, Saeed Teebi, is both an accomplished author and practicing lawyer. He sees writing as a 'shared endeavour' and aims to connect with aspiring creative writers. Throughout his residency, he will hold office hours for amateur writers at Western and across London, Ontario, through a partnership with the London Public Library.
October 3, 2024 | Western News
Meet Jules Lee: Western’s 2024-25 student writer-in-residence
A fourth-year student specializing in English literature and creative writing, Lee draws inspiration from various art forms, including photography and music. With plans to host workshops and collaborative events, she aims to build a supportive creative culture across campus.
September 12, 2024 | Western News
Western announces James and Eva Good Chair in English Literature
Alumni Jim and Eva Good have extended their long-time support of Western with a generous $1.5 million gift to establish the James and Eva Good Chair in English Literature. Jim, a professor emeritus and former associate dean and dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Eva, a celebrated Western volunteer and founding director of Foundation Western, have made this gift to attract top talent and ‘ignite a deep love of the arts’ among students.
September 9, 2024 | Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Toswell named among inaugural Western Massey Fellows
M.J. Toswell, English and Writing Studies, is one of two Western University professors participating in the 2024-2025 Western Massey Fellows program. This new partnership between Western University and Massey College provides professors with senior resident privileges at the college, allowing them to participate in its academic community and mentor junior fellows. Established in 1963 at the University of Toronto, Massey College promotes collaboration among graduate students, distinguished scholars, and accomplished leaders from diverse disciplines, industries, and backgrounds.
Toswell’s current research includes a book on medievalism in English Canada and a book on navigating the Canadian university system, inspired by her course “This University.” As a Massey Fellow, she will have the opportunity to engage with individuals from other institutions, fostering the exchange of ideas and exploring new perspectives.
August 19, 2024 | Western News
Exploring indigenous cinema
Students in Film 2259F Indigenous Cinema will explore the unique histories and films of Indigenous peoples from various regions, the impacts of colonization, and the distinct ways Indigenous filmmakers portray resistance, resurgence, and resilience.
July 9, 2024 | Department of English and Writing Studies
In Memoriam: Professor Joe Zezulka
After earning his PhD at Queens University, Joe had a distinguished 39-year career as a professor of English at Western University, where he was loved by his students for his lively lectures in Canadian literature and magic realism.
