Historical societies, museums, and governments often use archives as a way to “preserve historical material and make them available for use.” And while in the past archives have been predominantly physical, in recent times, archives are increasingly becoming digitalized. In particular, Athabasca University’s Thomas A. Edge Archives and Special Collections, the official repository for AU’s… Read more »
While many brick and mortar students and educators have struggled with the recent unexpected transition to online education, the very nature of AU’s unique educational model has allowed the institution to bypass many issues. Although many aspects of life and work have been significantly altered for AU staff, faculty, and students, our educational system has… Read more »
Born in Edmonton, Monique Durette now lives in Okotoks, Alberta where she’s taking her Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science and a minor in Women and Gender Studies from AU. She’s lived across the country, from BC to Ontario, and in fact met her husband while she was in high school in… Read more »
Adults though we be, and increasingly learned ones, we remain susceptible to the hubris our narrow mindsets invariably bring. So, when pondering Alexandrina Victoria’s 201st birthday and the kicktail long weekend in May that bears her name, we run the risk of oversimplifying the era of her Imperial regime. England was at the height of… Read more »
On May 1, 2020, Amazon, Target, Trader Joe’s, Instacart, and Whole Foods workers proceeded with their planned general strike over COVID-19 working conditions, calling in sick or walking out during lunch break, with calls for support and boycotts from consumers. Citing unsafe working conditions, inadequate personal protective equipment, and close working quarters, workers called for… Read more »
As society attempts to navigate the uncertainty of current events, the economic sector continuously reminds us that, despite our fears, productivity is still important above all — with headlines proclaiming 9 Tips To Be Productive When Working At Home During COVID-19 and What You Need To Know About Holding Productive Virtual Meetings During COVID-19. One… Read more »
During tragedies, society often experiences a noticeable uptick in the number of conspiracy theorists as humanity struggles to make sense of our rapidly changing and often unexplainable world. When events are so beyond our comprehension and current reality, what might typically seem like an outlandish conspiracy theory may, in fact, bring comfort. Surely, a sinister… Read more »
While COVID-19 has the ability to take a toll on all members of society, various marginalized communities face disproportionately high risks. Earlier last month, the Canadian government announced the closure of the Canadian border to anyone except Canadian citizens and permanent residents, leaving many individuals, including temporary foreign workers (TFW), unsure of their future. However,… Read more »
Famed American author Toni Morrison once said, “Delving into literature is not escape, nor a sure-fire route to comfort. It’s been a constant, sometimes even violent, but certainly always a provocative engagement with the contemporary, the modern world. The issues of the society we live in.” In today’s unpredictable times, we may find ourselves turning… Read more »
Despite its seemingly altruistic name, the health and wellness industry has been steadily profiting from COVID-19, unconcerned with medical professionals’ dire predictions of the pandemic’s ultimate human cost, as well as society’s current needs. Although the industry’s exploitation of individuals’ insecurities is not a new phenomenon, during the current pandemic, it feels particularly unethical. In… Read more »