“London and Western work well together. That’s fantastic, because it’s a complicated time. In our world today, the risks, the threats and the challenges abound.”
Western President Alan Shepard rallied a crowd of more than 500 guests at Engage Western on April 23, urging local organizations to explore new opportunities for London, Ont. to grow, thrive and stay resilient while tackling shared challenges.
“London’s self-sufficiency and Canada’s requires a strong ecosystem of civic action, investment, new ideas in abundance and some vision and moxie. More substantial innovation is key to our prosperity, our way of life.”
Western research underpins innovation across the city – and beyond – by generating new ideas to solve critical problems, Shepard told the community and business leaders gathered at RBC Place. The university plays a key role in creating a healthy and prosperous future for all, he said, including through its community partnerships. Shepard highlighted several local successes in entrepreneurship, sustainability and health care made possible through those collaborative efforts.
He also stressed the importance of the city’s businesses and organizations in developing the people who drive innovation.
“We’re a talent pipeline for London and beyond, but we cannot do that without you. You are our critical partners. You provide hands-on opportunities for our students,” Shepard said. “We want to connect with you to learn from your expertise and to ensure our city and our region succeed brilliantly.”
Christine Wilton, director of workforce development at the London Economic Development Corporation, was happy to hear more about how Western is developing talent needed to fill expanding industries.
“Right now in London, we have many opportunities in advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, technology and agrifood, and we also have a lot of need for talent in these areas. It’s great to see it all match up,” she said.
Shepard invited guests to meet with one another to build on successes and forge new partnerships. That collaboration was facilitated by dozens of interactive booths featuring 50 Western departments, research centres and projects.
This year, Engage Western focused on health care, with Shepard pointing to Western’s work with London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care London in training clinicians and scientists and producing high-impact research.
“Londoners have led world-changing advances in transplants, cancer treatments, specialized children’s care, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery and literally hundreds – maybe thousands – of innovations that benefit us all,” he said.
Innovative health research presented at Engage Western
Three leading Western researchers shared their progress and discoveries to improve health throughout all stages of life.
Dr. Anna Gunz, professor in the department of paediatrics at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, spoke about the interdependence of the mind, body and environment for overall wellness, with an emphasis on childhood development.
“As children, the amount of air they breathe, water they drink and food they eat per body mass is consumed at higher quantities, so everything in the environment affects them even more.”
Professor Hanif Ladak, jointly appointed to the departments of medical biophysics and electrical and computer engineering, described his team’s research on the use of imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) to treat hearing loss with improved cochlear implants. They used AI to create detailed 3D renderings of a person’s cochlea, allowing implants to be better tuned to an individual’s particular anatomy. The research has shown promising results.
“The typical remark from the patients was, ‘It sounds natural’, and sounds like what they remember their hearing was like. We’re well on our way to changing the standard of care worldwide,” he said.
Professor Angela Roberts, jointly appointed to the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the department of computer science, inspired the crowd with Canada’s “SuperAgers,” people over 80 whose memory and cognitive function remains strong. As a Canada Research Chair in Data Analytics and Digital Health in Cognitive Aging and Dementia and part of the international SuperAging Research Initiative, Roberts’ research is revealing how social connections and regular physical activity can allow people to enjoy a prolonged span of health.
“What if aging were not something to fear but something to aspire to?” she asked, encouraging Londoners to increase their commitment to building programs and resources for healthy aging. “We invite you to join us in conducting this paradigm-shifting research… and join us in redefining aging worldwide.”
That message resonated with Steph Ouellet, MBA’02, CEO of the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.
“It was inspiring to hear about the positive factors we can use to best position our patients and care partners to do all they can to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s. I’ve met several people here I can see myself partnering with to support the people we serve,” he said.
Civic leadership developed at Western
London Mayor Josh Morgan, BA’02, MA’04, spoke of how Western shaped him as a civic leader, from his earliest days as a floor representative for his residence, to his roles on the University Students’ Council, to becoming the first staff member of the local government program.
London Mayor Josh Morgan has been involved with Western continuously since he began his studies in 1998. He told guests at Engage London how Western shaped him as a leader, from his earliest days as a student to his role as the first staff member of the local government program. (Frank Neufeld/Neufeld Designs)
“My time at Western has greatly shaped the way I approach being mayor,” he said, noting it helped him develop and hone his leadership skills. Morgan encouraged London, Ont. residents to celebrate shared achievements in the city and at Western.
“People look upon this city and its institutions with envy. They’re inspired by the things we do. City staff, researchers and innovators at Western are constantly being asked to go and present and share the innovations happening here in our city, and help others learn our best practices.”
Proceeds from Engage Western ticket sales were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwestern Ontario.
“We are truly grateful,” the charity’s CEO Matthew Chater, MEd’11, said, adding the support helps provide wraparound services to families who stay there while their children are in hospital.
“We helped over 16,000 families in 2024, but we need to double our size in London so no families are turned away. We’ll need leaders with passion and problem-solving spirit to do it. We believe Western’s faculty, alumni and incredible students can help lead the way.”
Western’s innovation, people and partnerships in the community
- Western ranks in the top 1% of universities as a “research magnet,” attracting nearly $300 million in annual research funding from outside London, Ont.
- 64 start-up companies working in Western Research Parks employ 750+ people and contribute more than $56 million to the local economy.
- 85% or more of what Western buys comes from Canadian companies, many of them local to London, Ont.
- Nearly 5,000 Western students participated in experiential learning with more than 200 local non-profit and business partners in the 2024-25 academic year.
- Over 85,000 Western alumni live and work in London, Ont. and surrounding communities.
