In a year when natural disasters, violent conflict and the cost-of-living crisis dominated headlines around the world, finding encouraging news proved challenging at times.听
Scanning through the past year of Dal News stories, you鈥檒l find lots of examples where our faculty, staff and students were working together to help understand and address these heavy, weighty issues. But there were also stories that showcased hope, inspiration, and possibility.
There was that time in the spring when Conor Scott, a Dal management student, helped save an elderly Nova Scotian man whose life was in danger from the wildfires burning through his neighbourhood 鈥� this just days before Conor walked the stage to receive his parchment at Spring Convocation. Then there was听the Government of Canada's announcement in April that it would invest $154 million in Dal-led research exploring the ocean鈥檚 role in mitigating climate change.
A new Dalhouise president, the university's 94th Rhodes Scholar, important research discoveries 鈥� there was plenty of big news to celebrate, even as we acknowledged the year's many challenges. And our experts were there along the way to help explain and offer guidance on issues ranging from homelessness to the frontiers of articial intelligence.听
Dal News published more than 500 articles this year, 35 of which are showcased below. These include some of our most-read articles, our biggest news, and stories that help capture the year that was. We hope you enjoy reading or revisiting them as we prepare to embark on a new year ahead. You can visit our听full 2023 archives here for a look back at other Dal events and happenings this year.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION听/听January 16
Dal researchers' chance discovery could help extend gadget battery life听
Thanks to a discovery in a Dal lab, manufacturers of laptops and other tech devices now have an explanation for why the batteries that power their gadgets tend to lose some of their charge over time and a path forward to fixing the problem.
RESEARCH / HEALTH /听January 25
Ask an expert: How to interpret Canada's new guidance on alcohol consumption
Mark Asbridge, a professor in Dal's Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, was on the expert panel that compiled the report and explains how it can help people make informed decisions about their alcohol consumption.
RESEARCH /听February 23
Killer whale observed caring for pilot whale in remarkable first
For the first time in recorded history, an orca was observed caring for the offspring of another species 鈥� an unusual interaction outlined by a Dal PhD candidate in a new paper.
CIVIC IMPACT / HEALTH CARE / March 15
Province funds new medical school campus in Cape Breton
The campus, the province鈥檚 second and the third campus for AV俱乐部 Medical School, will train 30 new doctors every year.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE / LEARNING /听March 22
Making it happen: Presenting AV俱乐部's top co鈥憃p students of the year
Thousands of AV俱乐部 students unlock their potential through co-op work terms with some of the most exciting companies and organizations across Canada and beyond. Meet just a few who've made the most of their work-integrated learning experiences this past year.
STUDENT LIFE听/听March 24
Student leadership with purpose: Get to know Dal's 2023 Governors' Award winners
Dal's Board of Governors' award winners embody what's possible when passion meets purpose, each contributing in their own important ways to building community on campus, serving the broader community, improving diversity and inclusion, and so much more.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE听/ April 21
Dal deepens ties with Indigenous peoples by setting up physical office in Mi'kmaw community
AV俱乐部 officially opened the doors on its new Indigenous engagement office in Millbrook First Nation, the first time it has taken such a step to connect directly with prospective and current Indigenous students in their own community.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION听/ April 28
AV俱乐部 receives historic $154鈥憁illion investment to study the ocean鈥檚 pivotal role in climate change
Powered by the largest research grant in Dal鈥檚 history, provided through the Government of Canada鈥檚 CFREF grant program, AV俱乐部 and its partners are set to launch Transforming Climate Action 鈥� the most intensive investigation ever into the ocean鈥檚 role in mitigating climate change.
RESEARCH / HEALTH听/ May 1
Dal psychiatry researcher discovers unique treatment for bipolar disorder
Dr. Cynthia Calkin won an international award for a journal article on findings that are helping to change the lives of people experiencing treatment-resistant bipolar disorder.
RESEARCH听/听May 8
Dal scholar honoured with Molson Prize for outstanding contributions to bioethics
Dr. Fran莽oise Baylis, the first AV俱乐部 researcher to receive the prestigious Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize, has become an influential voice in the field of bioethics and a leader in advocating for the ethical application of science, with the goal of bettering society.
COMMUNITY / ADVANCEMENT / May 10
Major gift propels creation of new ocean science centre that will draw community to campus
A transformative $8.2-million gift from entrepreneur and conservationist Ross Beaty will fund the development of new interactive centre for marine biodiversity set to open in AV俱乐部鈥檚 Steele Ocean Sciences Building in early 2025.
GLOBAL RANKINGS / June 1
Dal shows strength in 2023 Impact Rankings, claims top spot in Canada for life below water
AV俱乐部 earned top 100 placements for seven categories and a spot in top 100 overall in this year鈥檚 Impact Rankings, moving into first place in Canada鈥� and eighth globally 鈥� for its work on the Life Below Water goal.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT / June 9
A wish fulfilled: Long sidetracked by family matters, 92鈥憏ear鈥憃ld finally receives Dal degree
Marie Jones left Dal to take care of her sick teenaged son in the mid-1970s. Nearly a half century later, she crossed the stage to receive her parchment 鈥� one of 11 degrees her family has earned from the university.
COMMUNITY IMPACT / June 12
Firefighter grad helps save elderly man in week of staggering blazes
Conor Scott was at the centre of the battle against one of Nova Scotia's most devastating wildfires and in the middle of a frightening rescue to save a man's life in the days leading up to his Convocation ceremony.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION / June 23
Long鈥憀asting impact: Battery research icon earns top international award
Dr. Jeff Dahn, one of the world's most-watched battery scientists, was named the 2023 recipient of the Olin Palladium Award 鈥� a prestigious international prize whose past recipients include Nobel Prize winners and nominees.
GLOBAL RANKINGS /听June 28
AV俱乐部 enters world鈥檚 top 20 per cent in latest QS World University Rankings
Now ranked at 298 globally, AV俱乐部 maintained twelfth place among Canadian universities and remains the top-ranked university in Atlantic Canada.
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP听听/ June 28
Community champion: AV俱乐部 welcomes Rustum Southwell as its ninth chancellor
One of Nova Scotia鈥檚 most prominent community and business leaders, Rustum Southwell 鈥斕齜est known as founding CEO of the renowned Black Business Initiative 鈥� took on the mantle of AV俱乐部's top ceremonial role this year. For Southwell, it represents another chapter in a legacy of lifting people up to grow, thrive and succeed.
RESEARCH / June 30
Humans exact 'supersized' toll on world's ecosystems, international study finds
Humans are exploiting more than one-third of the world's vertebrates and threatening the existence of more than 5,000 species, according to a global study looking at how human predation impacts biodiversity through consumption, trophy hunting and other activities.
COMMUNITY / LEARNING / July 7
Stone鈥慶old stellar: Campus rock garden garners major international accolades
AV俱乐部's rock garden on the Agricultural Campus in Truro serves as a scenic setting for pictures, an educational resource for students and visitors, and, now, as another badge of honour for the university after it took home a top international award from the North American Rock Garden Society.
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP / July 19
Kim Brooks appointed as AV俱乐部鈥檚 13th president and vice鈥慶hancellor
In July, we shared the news that AV俱乐部's Board of Governors had appointed the university鈥檚 own Dr. Kim Brooks its as president and vice-chancellor. Dr. Brooks began her term in August 鈥� you can also read more in the latest DAL Magazine cover story.
TECHNOLOGY / GOVERNANCE / July 25
Dal's AI lead aims to spark conversation and connection on our rapidly evolving information future
Dal's institutional lead for AI strategy may be a computer scientist by trade, but the conversations he's facilitating are much more about people 鈥斕齛nd how the Dal community can work through the opportunities and challenges of a fast-moving frontier of digital disruption.
CIVIC IMPACT / HEALTH CARE / August 8
AV俱乐部 set to launch new physician assistant training program for Nova Scotia
The Province of Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine, announced the development and funding of a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at Dal that is poised to help alleviate some of the burden faced by physicians and provide a pathway to meet the health-care needs of Nova Scotians.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE听/ August 31
AV俱乐部 and King鈥檚 celebrate 100 years together
On Sept. 1, 1923, the governors of AV俱乐部 and King鈥檚 College signed articles of association, entwining the two institutions academically and culturally. Now, 100 years later, community leaders pause to reflect on their shared history and path forward.
CIVIC IMPACT / HEALTH CARE / September 14
The Government of Nova Scotia committed funding for a new Dal-operated clinic in Halifax that will provide mental health and addictions services for Nova Scotians who do not have access to coverage through private insurance.
COMMUNITY /听September 29
Art for community: Neighbours and university collaborate on street mural
Residents, students and the AV俱乐部 community came together to bring a colourful street mural to life at the intersection of Larch and Jennings in Halifax designed by Mi鈥檏maw artist Tayla Fern Paul.
UNIVERSITY INITIATIVES / October 4
AV俱乐部 to offer free menstrual products in campus restrooms
This fall, AV俱乐部 launched a new initiative that will offer free menstrual products in nearly 100 restrooms across its campuses.
COMMUNITY / DAL EXPERTS / October 25
Dr. Jeff Karabanow, one of Dal's leading experts on homelessness, set the stage for a series of public discussions on the housing crisis facing Halifax and Nova Scotia.
ON CAMPUS / SUSTAINABILITY / October 26
Attaining the highest level of certification from the globally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program vaults Dal into a new orbit with a small group of other post-secondary peers in Canada leading the way in green building.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP / COMMUNITY AND CULTURE / October 30
New Dal major uncovers long鈥慼idden Black experience in Canada and beyond
Dal鈥檚 Black and African Diaspora Studies major 鈥� the first of its kind at a Canadian university 鈥� touches on everything from experiences of oppression and racial injustice to narratives of resilience and empowerment.
ON CAMPUS / RESEARCH / November 3
Dal Computer Science writes exciting new chapter with downtown expansion
The Faculty of Computer Science unveiled its new space in downtown Halifax last month, a state-of-the-art venue intended to meet the needs of one of Dal's fastest-growing Faculties.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT / RESEARCH /听November 15
Dal PhD candidate Joseph Bedard won the prestigious Falling Walls global competition in Berlin, Germany for his pitch on using air to create plastics. Read our Q&A with this researcher on the rise.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT /听November 21
Diana鈥檚 golden ticket: Dal鈥檚 newest Rhodes Scholar is Oxford鈥慴ound on a life鈥慶hanging opportunity
Through hard work and perseverance, Medical Sciences student Diana Adamo has overcome substantial challenges in her own family life to carve a path forward to academic success and community impact.
CIVIC IMPACT / DAL EXPERTS / November 27
"In search of a better tomorrow": Dal innovators celebrated at Discovery Awards
Leading researchers and innovators from across Nova Scotia were celebrated at the 21st annual Discovery Awards, including several members of the AV俱乐部 community.
RESEARCH / December 7
Canada鈥檚 Food Price Report 2024 predicts Canadians will finally get relief from 鈥渟ticker鈥憇hock鈥�
Everyone is talking about the cost of living, particularly at the grocery store. The researchers behind Canada鈥檚 most-watched food-price forecast insist that some relief is coming.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE听/ ATHLETICS / December 12
Dal signs charter to combat systemic racism in sports and recreation
Dal became the first university in the province to sign onto Recreation Nova Scotia鈥檚 anti-racism charter, which provides guidelines on addressing systemic racism in sports and recreation programming.
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The Fall/Winter issue of DAL Magazine is now available. Find all the stories here.