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Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)

Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)

Your Graduate Student Advocacy Organization and Government at Western University

  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
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    • Canadian Federation of Students: Local 47
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  • BENEFITS
    • Bus Pass
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  • FINANCIAL AID
    • Academic Joint Fund
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    • Peggy Collins Memorial Award
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westernsogs

The graduate student union, advocacy organization, and government at Western University. Local 47 of CFS. W: Sogs.ca

πŸͺ¨ Meet the Makers: Secrets of Earth πŸͺ¨ @chafey11 b πŸͺ¨ Meet the Makers: Secrets of Earth πŸͺ¨

@chafey11 brings very old stones from one to two kilometres underground to the Fall Makers Market, along with field art pictures that tell the story of the Earth and its structures.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $10–$30

Find Secrets of Earth and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
πŸͺ΄ Meet the Makers: Root Cycle πŸͺ΄ @root_cycle creat πŸͺ΄ Meet the Makers: Root Cycle πŸͺ΄

@root_cycle creates planters from repurposed and sustainable materials, which make perfect gifts for housewarmings, weddings, and anyone whose plants need a new home.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $15–$25

Find Root Cycle and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
πŸ—³οΈ London's municipal election is on Monday, Octob πŸ—³οΈ London's municipal election is on Monday, October 26th, 2026, and polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. City council makes decisions that shape grad student life every day, from London Transit routes and our bus pass 🚌 to rental licensing and housing policy 🏠, and the libraries and parks we use between classes 🌳

πŸ“‹ This year's ballot includes Mayor, City Councillor for your ward, and School Board Trustee. Ward boundaries have changed since the last election, so check your ward, school board, and assigned voting location at london.voterservices.ca before you head out πŸ“

βœ… To vote, you need to be a Canadian citizen, 18 or older, and living in London (or own or rent property here). Bring ID that shows your name and London address πŸͺͺ A lease, utility bill, or bank statement all work. If you're not on the voters' list yet, you can still register in person at your voting location on Voting Day πŸ“

πŸ‘‰ Swipe through for the full list of mayoral candidates and what to bring. Questions about voting can go to the City's Elections Office at elections@london.ca or 519-661-4535 πŸ“ž

#LdnOnt #LondonVotes #WesternU #GradLife #SOGS
πŸ’ Meet the Makers: Honey Orbit Accessories πŸ’ @hon πŸ’ Meet the Makers: Honey Orbit Accessories πŸ’

@honey_orbit_accessories offers affordable retro-inspired earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, and small gifts, with styles ranging from delicate everyday pieces to fun statement designs with pearl, crystal, and vintage-inspired details.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $10–$35

Find Honey Orbit Accessories and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
πŸ‹ Meet the Makers: Kartoffel Krafts πŸ‹ @kartoffel. πŸ‹ Meet the Makers: Kartoffel Krafts πŸ‹

@kartoffel.krafts is a student business inspired by a love of Denmark (the name means "potato power"!) that makes handmade crochet creatures like whales and dinosaurs, along with cold-weather wearables like hats and ear warmers in fun colours, glitter, and yarns from around the world.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $7–$100

Find Kartoffel Krafts and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
πŸͺ’ Meet the Makers: Knot. πŸͺ’ Knot. makes hand-knott πŸͺ’ Meet the Makers: Knot. πŸͺ’

Knot. makes hand-knotted hemp bracelets and charms finished with nickel-free beads, perfect for stacking, gifting, or matching with a friend.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $4–$10

Find Knot. and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
🧢 Meet the Makers: Bhargavi Ramanathan 🧢 @bhargav 🧢 Meet the Makers: Bhargavi Ramanathan 🧢

@bhargavi.ramanathan crochets coasters, scarves, and baby booties entirely by hand in her downtime, and she's bringing a table full of them to the Fall Makers Market.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $5–$25

Find Bhargavi and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
🌈 Meet the Makers: JMOX 🌈 @jmox_artist brings fun 🌈 Meet the Makers: JMOX 🌈

@jmox_artist brings funky, colourful mixed media art prints, jewelry featuring original paintings, and one-of-a-kind suncatchers to the Fall Makers Market, with a collection driven by activism, disability rights, feminist politics, and queerness.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $5–$25

Find JMOX and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
πŸ’™ Meet the Makers: Charming Shadows πŸ’™ @charming_s πŸ’™ Meet the Makers: Charming Shadows πŸ’™

@charming_shadows_ca makes original cyanotype prints, a centuries-old technique that uses sunlight and natural chemical reactions to capture leaves, flowers, and found objects in that signature Prussian blue, and has recently started making linocut prints as well. Every piece is one of a kind and made with materials that would otherwise go to waste, and their work was featured in The Awakening Magazine and its California exhibition this September!

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $10–$75

Find Charming Shadows and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
The Africa Institute at Western is pleased to anno The Africa Institute at Western is pleased to announce the launch of the Call for Abstracts for the 2027 Canada–Africa Academic Collaborations Conference (CAACC 2027), taking place on February 25–26, 2027.

Conference Theme:

Co-Creating Equitable Futures: Canada–AfricaAcademic Partnerships for Impact

CAACC2027 will bring together researchers, students and trainees, academic leaders, practitioners, policymakers, community partners and collaborators from Africa, Canada and beyond to exchange knowledge and advance equitable, reciprocal and impactful academic collaboration.

Abstract submissions across five conference sub-themes are invited:

Education, Knowledge Exchange and Research Capacity
Health, Sustainability and Resilient Communities
Innovation, Technology, Data and AI for Development and Impact
Policy, Partnerships, Governance and Research-to-Impact
Equity, Reciprocity, and the Future of Africa–Canada Partnerships

Abstract submission deadline: November 6, 2026

Full details on the sub-themes, abstract guidelines, the submission process and registration (free and open to all) are available on theAfrica Institute website:

πŸ”— Learn more about CAACC 2027 and submit an abstract
🌻 Meet the Makers: Made in May 🌻 @madeinmay_craft 🌻 Meet the Makers: Made in May 🌻

@madeinmay_crafts brings handmade knit, embroidered, and crocheted goods to the Fall Makers Market, including sunflower granny-square bags, cozy cardigans, and scarves in every colour of the rainbow.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium
πŸ’Έ $10–$40

Find Made in May and more grad student makers at the SOGS Fall Makers Market, hosted by the Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

#SOGS #WesternU #GradStudents #MakersMarket #ShopHandmade #WellnessWeek #LdnOnt
Join the SOGS Gender Equity Commission for a Hallo Join the SOGS Gender Equity Commission for a Halloween Harm Reduction workshop this October.

πŸ“† Tuesday, October 27th
⏰ 12:30 pm to 3 pm
πŸ“Labatt Health Sciences Building, Room 11
πŸ• Attendees will be provided with a free pizza lunch! 

This event is in collaboration with Western's Wellness and Wellbeing, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) to provide harm reduction education to graduate students before Halloween.

πŸ“’ Participation in this workshop will grant you a Future Prof Credit from the CTL! Learn more about the program: https://teaching.uwo.ca/programming/graduate-students/wcutl/future-prof-series.html

This workshop will include:
-gender-based sexual violence bystander training related to substance use and partying, 
-racial sensitivity and cultural appropriation training, and 
-overdose and narcan administration training.

Questions or concerns? Reach out to gender.equity@sogs.ca.
Congratulations to our Board Chair, Jana Bataineh, Congratulations to our Board Chair, Jana Bataineh, who is featured on the front page of Western News this week! πŸŽ‰

Jana is a Western PhD candidate advocating for hearing loss screening in primary care. Hearing loss is one of the leading risk factors for dementia, and early screening, hearing aids, and rehabilitation can help people maintain the communication they need to age well. To bring the issue into the conversation, Jana developed a series of seminars designed specifically for primary care clinics.

Read the full story by Iulia Costache through the link in our bio.

#gradlifewesternu
No matter what's on your mind this semester, suppo No matter what's on your mind this semester, support is available.
The new I.M. Well was designed to make getting help easier, faster, and more personalized.
I.M. Well supports:
🧠 Mental Wellness
πŸ’° Financial Wellness
βš–οΈ Legal Wellness
πŸ₯— Nutritional Wellness
πŸƒ Physical Wellness
One platform. Five wellness pillars. Built for students.
Learn more at imwell.ca
🧢🎨 The SOGS Fall Makers Market is coming to Wellne 🧢🎨 The SOGS Fall Makers Market is coming to Wellness Week! 🎨🧢

Graduate students across Western make some truly beautiful things in their downtime, and we’re bringing them together for one afternoon of shopping, browsing, and supporting your peers. Pick up something handmade for yourself, or get a head start on holiday gifts.

πŸ“… Tuesday, October 20th
⏰ 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
πŸ“ International and Graduate Affairs Building (IGAB) Atrium

Here’s who you’ll find at the tables:

πŸͺ‘ Knits, embroidery, and crochet from @madeinmay_crafts
πŸ’™ One-of-a-kind cyanotype and linocut prints from @charming_shadows_ca
🌈 Mixed media prints, painted jewelry, and suncatchers from @jmox_artist
🧣 Hand-crocheted coasters, scarves, and baby booties from @bhargavi.ramanathan
πŸͺ’ Hand-knotted hemp bracelets and charms from Knot.
πŸ‹ Crochet creatures and cold-weather wearables from @kartoffel.krafts
πŸ’ Retro-inspired jewelry and accessories from @honey_orbit_accessories
🌱 Roasted squash seed snacks and upcycled soaps from @regrainproject
πŸͺ¨ Ancient stones and earth science field art from @chafey11
πŸͺ΄ Planters made from repurposed materials from @root_cycle
πŸŒ™ Original art as patches, pins, and stickers from @moonofretribvtion
✨ Charms, prints, and stickers inspired by K-pop, anime, and games from @sessanstudios

Most items range from $1 to $40, with a few larger pieces available. Bring a friend, bring a tote bag, and come say hi to the makers!

Hosted by the SOGS Graduate Peer Support Committee as part of Wellness Week.

❓ Questions? Reach out to sogs.communications@uwo.ca.

 #WesternU #ShopHandmade #LdnOnt
On Friday, October 9th, SOGS members we emailed a On Friday, October 9th, SOGS members we emailed a balloting link regarding the 2026-27 Board of Directors by-election confidence vote. The ballot closed on Saturday, October 10th at 11:59 p.m.

We are thrilled to announce that ADEPOJU ADEOLA, MHSc Global Health Systems, will serve as our Director for the remainder of the 2026-27 year! πŸ₯³ Congratulations, Adepoju!

πŸ—³οΈVoting turnout: 66 (0.93%) of 7,100 electors voted in this ballot. 
2 voters abstained from choosing a candidate.
1 voter was not confident (voted "NO").
63 voters were confident (voted "YES").

For those interested, 2027-28 Board of Director elections will align with the Presidential election in March. Notification for nominations will be released in the Winter 2027 Term. 

#GradLife #WesternU #BoardofDirectors #Byelection
Join us for another check-in and workshop about th Join us for another check-in and workshop about the United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals (SDG) hosted by our Sustainability Committee @sogs.sustainability.

πŸ“† Tuesday, November 10th
πŸ•° 6-7:30 pm
πŸ“Middlesex College, Room 17 (across the hall from the SOGS office)
🍽 Light refreshments served
🧠 Head over to Grad Club trivia down the hall afterwards!

Register at the link in our bio, or visit sogs.ca/events. 

Questions: sustainability.committee@sogs.ca.
Join the SOGS Gender Equity Commission for a Hallo Join the SOGS Gender Equity Commission for a Halloween Harm Reduction workshop this October.

πŸ“† Tuesday, October 27th
⏰ 12:30 pm to 3 pm
πŸ“Labatt Health Sciences Building, Room 11
πŸ• Attendees will be provided with a free pizza lunch! 

This event is in collaboration with Western's Wellness and Wellbeing, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and Student Emergency Response Team (SERT) to provide harm reduction education to graduate students before Halloween.

This workshop will include:
-gender-based sexual violence bystander training related to substance use and partying, 
-racial sensitivity and cultural appropriation training, and 
-overdose and narcan administration training.

Questions or concerns? Reach out to gender.equity@sogs.ca.
The SOGS Board of Directors has one (1) vacancy an The SOGS Board of Directors has one (1) vacancy and requires a by-election. 

πŸ“ We have received one (1) nomination for the vacant role, which requires a CONFIDENCE VOTE from the membership. 

πŸ—³οΈ Balloting will take place between Friday, October 9th at 11 a.m. and Saturday, October 10th at 11:59 p.m. 

⚠️ SOGS members received a voting link via mass email today at their uwo.ca email accounts. Kindly check your accounts.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION:
πŸ‘€ ADEPOJU ADEOLA, MHSc Global Health Systems
πŸ‘“ Read Adepoju's candidate statement (πŸ”— link in bio)

#gradlife #westernu #boardofdirectors #byelection2026
Apply now for the Peggy Collins Memorial Award! πŸŽ“πŸ’œ Apply now for the Peggy Collins Memorial Award! πŸŽ“πŸ’œ

This award honours Peggy Collins, a long-time Western employee, and her unending efforts to support others as they balance family, career, and personal development. 🌸

πŸŽ“ Awarded to a part-time graduate student in a part-time designated graduate program
πŸ’Ό Preference given to applicants who work full-time, have family commitments, and/or are involved in the Western or wider community
πŸ’° Value: $2,900 (1 award)
πŸ“ Based on a one-page statement describing your commitments to work, family, and community involvement
πŸ“† Deadline: November 1st, 2026

Recipients are selected by the SOGS Health Plan Committee in consultation with the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

πŸ“„ Find the application on our Documents page (link in bio) and email it to services@sogs.ca
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The SOGS Office is located in Middlesex College, Room 8 (lower level).
SOGS Office Hours:

Monday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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