NEWSWIRE

Cartoons and short films could serve
as tools for changing behaviour

Glendon psychology Professor Evelyne Corcos is investigating the use of technology for behaviour modification. Her project will create a database of multimedia scenarios illustrating social problems experienced by adolescents and others. Students participating in the project create a short video presentation, or observe an existing one, demonstrating a particular behavioural situation. They are then asked to suggest solutions to the problem that is presented using a video camera to express their ideas.

False fire alarms and bomb threats are no joking matter
With the approach of the exam period, the threat of disruptions caused by false fire alarms and bomb threats increases. Although incidents at York University have declined since 2005, they can still cause significant problems for students, faculty and staff, including possible criminal charges for those who activate an alarm.

Student leadership awards applications close April 13
In order to facilitate and celebrate student leadership development, the Student Centre and Student Community & Leadership Development have joined forces to offer three student leadership awards with a prize of $500 each.

Uppal is shortlisted for 2007 Griffin Poetry Prize
Priscila Uppal, creative writing professor at York, is one of three Canadian poets shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize, the richest poetry prize in the world. Uppal’s book Ontological Necessities is up for the $50,000 prize going to a Canadian poet.

Philosophy and ethics for the real world
Philosophia, the York University Undergraduate Philosophy Student Association, hosted an alumni workshop to help current students get a glimpse into the world ahead. The event brought current students together with two prominent York alumni who went on to earn MBAs.

Lions Podstawka and Hall to represent Canada
York Lions volleyball teammates Adam Podstawka and Reid Hall recently qualified to represent Canada at the under-21 World Beach Volleyball Championship in Italy later this year. It's the third time the pair have been chosen to represent Canada.

Gender differences may impact rehabilitation
Men’s and women’s brains “fire” differently when they are planning how to reach for something, so rehabilitation after brain injuries such as strokes may need to be tailored to the sex of the person, says a new study by York University researchers.

York celebrates Garibaldi's birth
In anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Italian patriot and solider, Giuseppe Garibaldi, two special lectures were held at York University’s Keele campus on March 20. Toronto’s OMNI Television was on campus to do a story about Italian Studies and the lectures.

Lisa Moore brings Alligator to York
One hundred solitudes brushed up against one another at York's Accolades West Building to hear Canadian author Lisa Moore read from her award-winning 2005 novel, Alligator at the Canadian Writers in Person series event Feb. 22.

Four win University-Wide Teaching Awards
Put them on a pedestel and clap. They are four of York's great instructors, impeccable scholars whose passion for their subject is infectious, who engage and inspire students in the classroom and go the extra mile when students ask for guidance. They are the winners of this year's University-Wide Teaching Awards.

Gillies is honoured by Russia's State University
The Higher School of Economics at Russia’s State University last week honoured York Professor Emeritus James Gillies, the founding dean of York's Schulich School of Business, with an honorary degree for his contribution to the education of Russian academics in corporate governance.

On language and awareness
One of the world’s linguistics luminaries, Tufts University Professor Ray Jackendoff, will speak about the formal structures in the mind that are relevant to awareness and ask questions, such as "what is going on in the brain when we use language or understand someone else speaking?"

Renowned vision researcher studies perception disorders
Professor Robert Desimone of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will deliver the third Ian P. Howard Lecture in Vision Science this Friday. Desimone's lecture will take place at 2pm in the Seymour Schulich Assembly Hall, W141 Seymour Schulich Building on York’s Keele campus.