News 2026

• Ingersoll Potter’s Field Project honoured with Provincial Excellence in Conservation award

By Gerry Dewan, CTV News, April 21, 2026

A team of researchers and community partners has received a prestigious Excellence in Conservation award from the Ontario Heritage Trust and the province’s Lieutenant Governor. The award was for their work in identifying individuals buried in the Potter’s Field section of the Ingersoll Rural Cemetery. The honour celebrates the project’s success in uncovering and sharing the stories of hundreds of marginalized community members who had long rested in unmarked graves.

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• • Replaying the Second World War

    By Matt Allen, Afternoon Drive, April 17, 2026

    

    Woodstock historian Oleksa Drachewych says he sees parallels between Soviet techniques used in World War II and those used by Russia today. He shares more in a preview of his new book "Replaying the Second World War."

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• • Cody Groat, the professor spotlighting Indigenous resistance

    By Hania Murtaza, The Gazette, April 15, 2026

    

    Cody Groat, an assistant professor of history and Indigenous Studies at Western University, explores how the federal government commemorates Indigenous histories in his upcoming book, Always a Part of the Land.

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• • Western students, local historians bring London’s stories to life through Forest City Facts

    By Cynthia Fazio, Western News, April 13, 2026

    

    As London, Ont. celebrates 200 years since its founding in 1826, a new initiative shines a light on local history. Through Forest City Facts, students and faculty from Western’s master of arts in the public history field are helping to uncover stories that have shaped – and continue to shape – the city.

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• • Inside Pax Americana: This speculative art exhibit explores a world where Canada becomes the 51st state

    By Ismaila Alfa, CBC Listen, March 14, 2026

    

    A new exhibit called "Pax Americana" imagines a future where US annexes Canada. It includes a series of fictional plaques and books, which are displayed at the D.B. Weldon Library at Western University in London. Artist Dara Vandor explains the installation, along with Director of International Relations Frank Schumacher from Western University.

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• • What if Canada became the 51st state? This artist imagines what that future looks like

    By Josiane N'tchoreret-Mbiamany , CBC News, March 04, 2026

    

    The project caught the attention of Frank Schumacher, a professor of history and director of international relations at Western University. “What struck me was that it was a combination of eerie realism and playful imagination,” he said. “Putting up landmark signs about a U.S. invasion of Canada, that’s bold.”

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• • Ukrainian speakers reflect on 4th anniversary of Russian invasion

    By Kassandra Vidinovski, The Gazette, March 02, 2026

    

    On Feb. 25, the Departments of History and Political Science brought three Ukrainian speakers to Western to reflect on Russia’s escalated war with Ukraine.

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• • America Has Occupied Canada, in the Creative Mind of a Toronto Artist

    By Shawna Richer, The New York Times, February 28, 2026

    

    Frank Schumacher, a professor of history and director of the international relations program at Western, focuses on the role of the United States in world affairs and invited Ms. Vandor to bring “Pax Americana” to the university.

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• • The King and AI: A team of international scholars tackles a historical work of epic proportions

    By Sparrow McGowan, University Affairs, February 11, 2026

    

    History professor William Turkel, one of Western’s Generative AI Teaching Fellows, discusses how emerging AI tools can be used to transform historical research.

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• • The Battle for Disabled Veterans’ Recognition - A Discussion with Dr. Eric Story

    By Battle of the First World War Podcast, February 11, 2026

    

    Dr. Eric Story, a Historian-in-Residence at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario in Canada, and Adjunct Professor at Wilfred Laurier University, discusses the struggles faced by disabled Canadian veterans after the First World War.

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• • Quebec maintains tuition hike for out-of-province students at English-language programs

    By Maura Forrest, The Globe and Mail, February 01, 2026

    

    Jeffery Vacante, an assistant professor and Quebec historian at the University of Western Ontario, said the policy is meant to “discourage English-speaking people from other provinces from coming to Montreal.”

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• • On the air: Exploring the History of of O-Pee-Chee with Mike Dove

    CBCL-FM, January 23, 2026

    

    CBC London Morning spoke with history professor Mike Dove about his research and documentary on the founding of O-Pee-Chee, the iconic London, ...

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• • Expert insight: U.S. withdrawal from WHO could affect global health

    By Mitchell L. Hammond, Western News, January 21, 2026

    

    Expert insight: U.S. withdrawal from WHO could affect global health Disruption to global disease surveillance is most immediate concern with U.S. departure

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• • ‘Packaging Fun’: London professor hoping to take documentary on O Pee Chee Factory to film festivals in 2026

    By Brent Lale, CTV News, January 21, 2026

    

    A London professor is hoping to take documentary on O Pee Chee Factory to film festivals in 2026.

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• History of Canada-China Relations on AM980

  AM980, January 16, 2026

  

  On The Morning Show with Devon Peacock on AM980, history professor James Flath shares insights on the long and complex history of...

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