Celebrating the inaugural recipients of the Western Research Excellence Awards 

(Clockwise from top left) s Fred Longstaffe, Faculty of Science; Jessica Grahn, Faculty of Social Science; Laurence de Looze, Faculty of Arts & Humanities; Martin Petrin, Faculty of Law; Yolanda Hedberg, Faculty of Science and Susana Caxaj, Faculty of Health Sciences. (Rob Potter image) Six members from five faculties have been named recipients of the inaugural Western Research Excellence Award s, created in 2023 to recognize excellence across disciplines and career stages. Western vice-president (research) Penny Pexman is excited about the new opportunity to recognize Western's researchers. "Our community has impact across disciplines at all career stages," Pexman said. "We are so pleased to celebrate all of these achievements." The awards highlight and celebrate efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in the research community. "We recognize the responsibility and potential for research to help us create a more equitable, just and inclusive society," Pexman said. "We look forward to celebrating members of our community who take this to heart - whether through their own discoveries, or by advocating for the need for equity and inclusion in the broader academic community." Six prizes are offered annually, two each to assistant, associate, and full professors.