“Brainstorm,” a special edition of YFile publishing on the first Friday of every month, showcases research and innovation at York University. It offers compelling and accessible feature-length stories about the world-leading and policy-relevant work of York’s academics and researchers across all disciplines and Faculties and encompasses both pure and applied research.
In the November 2020 issue
The social, political and moral crisis of Anti-Black racism
How did we get here as a society? Where can we go from here? What role does the university play? Brainstorm’s guest contributor Paul Fraumeni poses these vital questions to three foremost academics carving out a path for positive change, a big part of which involves coming to terms with colonialization.
PhD student develops tool for improved symptom management in oncology patients
Collaborating with a team from Sunnybrook and U of T, a grad student in the Lassonde School of Engineering leverages artificial intelligence – machine learning – to develop a new tool for symptom management in the breast radiation oncology clinic. It could have wide application in cancer treatment.
Novel interventions reduce stress, depression, anxiety in students
Three York Professors, with U of T collaborators, discover some interventions that could help undergrads struggling with mental health issues. Not only could this aid the pupils, but it could also relieve the overburdened mental health services for this community.
The slippery editorial slope of the documentary into ‘reality’ TV
An acclaimed filmmaker’s dissertation, on how the editing of documentary television is increasingly following reality tv’s dictate to entertain, is transformed into a timely book. With a subtitle that includes “frankenbite,” you know something’s gone askew.
Research uncovers different levels of Muslim participation in society – why?
A sociologist has discovered that Muslim contributions to or engagement with society, as newcomers, varies from France to Canada. Shedding light on how and why this is happening will inform national debates on religious diversity in both countries and around the world.
Politicians’ temperament may pave way to war, suggests book by legal scholar – bonus video
Given the politicization of COVID-19, a new and ground-breaking book offers insights on the personalities of diplomats, and the risks that those with certain mindsets introduce on a world stage. The author considers the perils of having political leaders with a depressive temperament.
Launched in January 2017, “Brainstorm” is produced out of the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation in partnership with Communications & Public Affairs; overseen by Megan Mueller, senior manager, research communications; and edited by Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor and Ashley Goodfellow Craig, YFile deputy editor.