A&S scholars sharing their expertise in the media this week

From Canada’s population milestone to the futures that lie ahead for new A&S graduates, experts from a range of disciplines across the Faculty of Arts & Science are sharing their expertise on a variety of issues in the media.

Here’s some of what they had to say this week.

June 16, 2023

• David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics postdoctoral researcher Leo Alcorn talks to CBC Radio: Quirks & Quarks about challenging STEM stereotypes at the recent Science is a Drag event.
• Department of Statistical Sciences Professor and Academic Director of the Data Sciences Institute Lisa Strug discusses a new and diverse reference genome called a "pangenome” and its potential impact on treating genetic diseases.
• Department of Political Science Associate Professor Michael Donnelly comments for CityNews on immigration and Canada’s population reaching more than 40 million.
• School of Cities Director and Department of Geography & Planning Professor Karen Chapple comments for CBC News online on the mayoral by-election in Toronto.

June 17, 2023

• Department of English Assistant Professor Rijuta Mehta talks to The New York Times (paywall) about a trend among South Asian students in North America planning elaborate mock weddings.
• Department of Political Science and Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy’s Asian Institute Associate Professor Lynette Ong comments for South China Morning Post on China’s culture police.

June 18, 2023

• Department of English Professor and Vice-dean, Undergraduate of the Faculty of Arts & Science Randy Boyagoda reviews a new story collection for The New York Times (paywall).
• Department of Geography & Planning Professor and Infrastructure Institute at the School of Cities Director Matti Siemiatycki talks to Global News online about Canada’s 40-million population milestone.

June 19, 2023

• Trinity College Dean of Divinity Christopher Brittain writes in The Globe and Mail (paywall) about the rights of LBGTQ+ children in New Brunswick.
• Matti Siemiatycki and Karen Chapple weigh in on the city’s housing crisis for The Globe and Mail (paywall) and CP24 online.
• Matti Siemiatycki comments for CBC News online on underground infrastructure and Canada’s population, and for the Toronto Star (paywall) on the relocation of the Ontario Science Centre.
• Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics Dunlap Fellow Keir Rogers shares with Universe Today his research on solving the dark matter mystery.

June 20, 2023

• Lynette Ong comments for CBC News online on the limited influence Canada has on China.
• Twins Maryam and Nivaal Rehman of the Munk School talk to CTV News about graduating together and reflect on their successes in activism and storytelling.
• Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies Professor Emeritus Anthony Doob comments for the Toronto Star (paywall) on the controversial transfer of Paul Bernardo from maximum-security to medium-security prison.

June 21, 2023

• David Jones, Master of Public Policy candidate at the Munk School, writes for The Globe and Mail (paywall) about strains in the health care system.
• Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics Director Bryan Gaensler talks to University Affairs about conducting inclusive and equitable searches for new faculty.
• Book and Media Studies Associate Professor and Program Coordinator at St. Michael’s College Paolo Granata talks to CBC Radio: Metro Morning about the course he has designed to be taught by artificial intelligence.
• The Cinema Studies Institute is highlighted for its unique degree program by Narcity.

June 22, 2023

• Woodsworth College graduate Omer Malikyar shares with CBC Radio: Metro Morning and CityNews how he has overcome incredible odds to reach graduation day.
• Michael Higgins, Distinguished Fellow at the University of St. Michael’s College, writes in The Globe and Mail (paywall) about public interest in papal health.
• Department of Earth Sciences and School of the Environment Professor Miriam L. Diamond gives recommendations to The New York Times (paywall) on cultivating indoor greenery and artificial houseplants.
• Centre for Indigenous Studies sessional lecturer Malinda Gray comments for the Kingston-Whig Standard on Indigenous history in Canada.
• The School of Cities research on downtown pandemic recovery is cited by BNN Bloomberg.
• Phillip Lipscy, Associate Professor of Political Science, as well as chair in Japanese Politics and Global Affairs and director of the Centre for the Study of Global Japan at the Munk School, tells Japan Times that diplomatic actions from Japan’s government may have little effect on events determined by Chinese policy.
• Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources Director and Professor Rafael Gomez comments for the Toronto Star (paywall) on the possible strike of grocery retail workers.