Gasbags and blowhards: Supermassive black holes in the universe

The centre of every large galaxy - including our own Milky Way - hosts a supermassive black hole. When they grow, these monsters can spit out as much material as they swallow in giant jets and energetic winds. Astronomer and Western professor Sarah Gallagher will introduce these exotic eruptors and discuss their role in shaping the galaxies they inhabit.
Lecturer: Sarah Gallagher, Western physics & astronomy professor

Watch lecture on youtube.

Blockbuster or Lacklustre? Obama, Romney and the 2012 race for the presidency

As the November US presidential election approaches, Don Abelson, Director of the Canada-US institute at Western University will provide an insightful look at the highs and lows of the campaigns and how the race has unfolded.  A must see for any political junkie!

Lecturer: Don Abelson, Director of the Canada-US Institute, Western University 
Location: Landon Library, 167 Wortley Rd.
Lecture held: Tuesday, October 9, 2012

New treatment options in Parkinson's disease: From virtual reality to reality

Patients with Parkinson's disease can struggle with everyday activities like answering the door or getting out of bed, putting them at high risk for falls and reduced mobility. Dr. Mandar Jog, Neurologist and Scientist at Lawson and Western University, will share his research including the use of virtual reality to help assess how patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease perform everyday activities.

Lecturer: Mandar Jog, Scientist at Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute; and Director of the National Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence 
Location: Wolf Performance Hall, Central Branch, London Public Library, 251 Dundas Street
Lecture held: Monday, November 12, 2012

Children don't come with a manual – Exploring children’s mental health

Recent studies indicated 20 percent of children aged 4-17 struggle with a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder. That translates to more than 800,000 Canadian children who experience health concerns that impair their ability to function well at home, school and in the community. Western University's Vicki Schwean, Dean of the Faculty of Education, will explore the crucial role parents and educators can play in ensuring the needs of these children are met.

Lecturer: Vicki Schwean, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Western University
Location: Stevenson Hunt Room, Central Branch, London Public Library, 251 Dundas Street
Lecture held: Monday, December 10, 2012

Powers of Attorney, living wills and other mysterious legal things

Who gets to make treatment and financial decisions for you when you can't make these decisions for yourself? How can you ensure your wishes will be followed and your interests will be protected? Western Law Professor Robert Solomon will demystify the law governing consent, capacity to make treatment and financial decisions, and the hierarchy of substitute decision-makers and the limits on their powers. He will then discuss why you should, and how you can, control your treatment and financial destiny.
Lecturer: Robert Solomon, Western Law professor
Location: Sifton Room, Masonville Branch Library, 30 North Centre Road
Lecture held: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ of wind: Designing resilient and sustainable communities

In the context of climate and economic changes, wind plays dual roles. With the recent surge in tornado devastation in North America (‘yin’), assessing and reducing risk is more important than ever before. While encompassing 50 per cent of the world’s population, cities consume more than 65 per cent of its energy (‘yang’), and wind can play a vital role in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Horia Hangan, Western Engineering professor and Director of the WindEEE (Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment) Research Institute, will discuss how research is aiming to tame the ‘yin’ and enhance the ‘yang’ of wind.
Lecturer: Horia Hangan, Western Engineering professor and Director of WindEEE
Date: Lecture took place on Wednesday, February 13