Arts and Social Sciences

SoCA faculty take the stage for annual jazz concert

4th annual jazz faculty concertFaculty from the School of Creative Arts will step out of the classroom and onto the stage Saturday, Feb. 7 for their fourth annual Faculty Jazz Concert at the Capitol Theatre in Windsor, Ont. (Trevor Pittman/ UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR)

Windsor’s Capitol Theatre will hum with the rhythm of jazz this Saturday as faculty from the School of Creative Arts step out of the classroom and onto the stage for their fourth annual Faculty Jazz Concert.

The concert features a varied program of instrumental and vocal jazz numbers, selected by Mike Karloff, Shahida Nurullah, Bob Fazecas, Steve Wood, Mike Palazzolo, Miles Finlayson and Vanessa Harnish.

Professor shapes Point Pelee into pottery during national park artist residency

Ashley Glassburn, Interdisciplinary and Critical Studies professor at the University of WindsorUniversity of Windsor Interdisciplinary & Critical Studies professor, Ashley Glassburn, took part in a retreat as an artist-in-residence at Point Pelee National Park. (ASHLEY GLASSBURN/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

Place was more than just inspiration for Ashley Glassburn during her time as an artist in residence at Point Pelee National Park — it was built directly into her creations.

Interested in materials and their connections to where they come from, the Interdisciplinary & Critical Studies professor used minerals harvested from the park’s shorelines to create her pottery.

Campus and community events planned to celebrate Black History Black Futures Month

Shetina Jones speaks at the Pan-African flag raisingDr. Shetina Jones speaks on campus during the raising of the Pan-African flag (FILE/University of Windsor)

Black History Month in Canada reaches a milestone in 2026, marking three decades of official recognition.

Looking back on generations past as well as into the future, the Canadian government has declared this year’s theme to be “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.”

At the University of Windsor and in the Windsor-Essex community, events throughout February are planned to celebrate Black histories and futures.

CBC IDEAS’ Greg Kelly to explore changes in authority and public discourse

Jackman Dramatic Art Centre.Jackman Dramatic Art Centre at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (LINDSAY CHARLTON/ University of Windsor)

From viral posts to public addresses, the way authority figures speak is changing — and the effects are being felt far beyond the podium.

CBC Ideas executive producer Greg Kelly will be the next speaker in the Humanities Research Group’s (HRG) talk series, delivering a public lecture Thursday on language, authority and public discourse.

Understanding institutional betrayal: research explores how campus trust shapes survivor support

Gena Dufoura PhD candidate in applied social psychology at the University of WindsorGena Dufoura, PhD candidate in applied social psychology, recently received a renewal of the Ontario Health Scholars Doctoral Award, administered by the Council of Ontario Universities, in recognition of outstanding contributions to women’s health research for her work exploring fear of institutional betrayal on university campuses. Pictured at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ont., on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (ANGELA KHARBOUTLI/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

How institutions respond to gender-based violence can shape survivors’ recovery — and, if inadequate, can deepen harm, says a University of Windsor researcher investigating how campus responses to sexual assault influence healing and long-term outcomes. 

Curation as collaboration: MFA alumna wins curatorial award

Niku Koochak at Art Windsor-EssexAlumna Niku Koochak is a recent winner of a Galleries Ontario curatorial award. (DAVE GAUTHIER/University of Windsor).

By Kate Hargreaves 

Collaboration is at the heart of University of Windsor Master of Fine Arts (MFA) alumna Niku Koochak’s curatorial process. 

Koochak (MFA ’24) recently received the Galleries Ontario / Galeries (GOG) Award for First Exhibition in a Public Art Gallery for curatorial work at Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) as part of its Below the 6 series, which highlights Southwestern Ontario artists. 

Getting Heated: Profs talk queer representation in sport and media

The characters Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from Heated Rivalry wearing tuxedos on a balcony Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie play hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov in the hit streaming show Heated Rivalry. (BELLMEDIA/University of Windsor)

By Kate Hargreaves 

From social media to the Golden Globes, the spicy new TV show Heated Rivalry seems to be everywhere.   

The Canadian-made romance, directed by Jacob Tierney and based on the book series by Rachel Reid, centres around fictional gay and bisexual professional hockey players navigating their on-ice careers and personal lives.  

UWindsor alumna takes flight on Broadway

Portrait of Alexis GordonUniversity of Windsor alumna Alexis Gordon plays broom flying instructor, Madam Hooch in the first national tour of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Broadway play. (SUBMITTED BY ALEXIS GORDON/University of Windsor)

By Victor Romao

 

“Welcome to your first flying lesson. 

“Step up to the left side of your broomstick. 

“Stick your right hand over the broom and say, ‘Up.’” 

“Up!” 

The words soar through the theatre as Alexis Gordon (BFA Acting ‘12), guides her students in the art of broomstick flight, transforming the stage into an airborne adventure.

Exploring hidden factors that influence concussion recovery in athletes

Neuropsychology PhD student Vanessa Correia and professor Dr. Christopher AbeareNeuropsychology PhD student Vanessa Correia and professor Dr. Christopher Abeare, who also serves as clinical supervisor at the Sport-Related Concussion Centre (SRCC) at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2025. (DAVE GAUTHIER/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton 

We spend about a third of our lives asleep, and those hours are crucial for everything from mood to muscle repair. 

Now, University of Windsor researchers are asking whether poor sleep could put athletes at greater risk of concussion—and affect how they recover. 

Grant-funded study to compare Canada’s farm animal welfare standards

University of Windsor professor Dr. Wesley Tourangeau Dr. Wesley Tourangeau, a professor in the University of Windsor's Department of Sociology and Criminology. (SUBMITTED BY WESLEY TOURANGEAU/ University of Windsor)

By Lindsay Charlton

Picture yourself in the meat aisle, drawn to bacon citing “free-range” and “organic.”

Those claims suggest ethical farming, but how much do they really say about the welfare of the animals behind the food we buy?