If there is to be another uprising of popular defiance in the wake of a presidential election in Iran this year, none of the candidates is likely to lead it.…This time, the Iranian regime – spearheaded by Khamenei – is not taking any chances. The Guardian Council has approved eight candidates out of some 7,000 who applied. All regularly profess loyalty to Khamenei; several have personal connections to him; and even the two nominal reformists lack the gumption, charisma or popular support necessary to challenge Iran’s system of government in a meaningful way.…“These are turf wars more than ideological wars,” said York University political science Professor Saeed Rahnema in Maclean’s June 11. Read full story.
University-community partnerships proving successful
Krista Jensen, a knowledge mobilization officer at York University, was willing to shed light on their partnership with Memorial University. “Research Impact is a network of 10 universities across Canada that each have their own knowledge mobilization unit,” she explained in the Western Star June 14. “So each unit works to connect research and researchers with external groups such as committee members, government, private industry, basically anything that is policy or practice relevant.” She said it works both ways, in the sense that either a faculty member can come looking for new partners they might be interested in pairing with, or the community member who is looking for research expertise can come to them for help with a project. Read full story.
York U volleyball star helps Canada to bronze
Toronto native Melissa Humana-Paredes, who suits up for York University’s highly touted women’s volleyball team, has had a good start to her summer. The Humberside Collegiate grad, along with her partner, Taylor Pischke of Winnipeg, won the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the U-23 World Championships in Poland Sunday, June 9, reported the North York Mirror June 13. Read full story.
KidsAbility hosting annual autism forum
KidsAbility will be holding its 4th Annual Autism Update Forum at Bingemans in Kitchener today, reported 570 News June 14. The event brings professionals and parents together in a day filled with learning….Wendy Roberts of the Autism Research Team at Holland Bloorview, along with York University psychology Professor Jonathan Weiss, will be sharing new research regarding the continuation of services and the mental health and predictors of bullying in adolescents with autism. Read full story.