Susan Ehrlich, associate professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, has been named founding Chair of York's School of Women's Studies. She teaches a course on gender and discourse and has published articles in the field of feminist linguistics.

Ross Macdonald, coach of York's water polo team, has been selected as head coach of the Canadian Water Polo Dream Team for athletes born in 1981 and later. He will be co-leader of Team Odyssey-2001 on a four-year journey that will try for some gold at the 2001 Junior World Championships.

French studies professor Hédi Bouraoui has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. His numerous texts demonstrate a passionate commitment to multiculturalism and the promotion of the culture of the First Nations of Canada. Bouraoui is a dynamic supporter of Francophone Caribbean, Maghrebian and African literatures.

Kenneth Little, Chair of the Department of Anthropology, is a recipient of the 1996-97 Faculty of Graduate Studies Teaching Award.

The Theatre Department and the Playwrights Union of Canada recently launched the first two volumes of Questionable Activities: Canadian Theatre Artists Interviewed by Canadian Theatre Students. The new chapbook series of this joint publication ­ conceived and edited by theatre professor Judith Rudakoff ­ features conversations between York theatre students and professionals working in all areas and types of theatre across the country during the last 30 years.

Biology/Science studies professor John Heddle has been awarded a research grant by the Cancer Research Society. He is studying the effects of prenatal and maternal nutrition as it relates to the future risk of the infant to develop cancer after birth. This grant is one among 70 funded through the society to aid in new discoveries about cancer.