Sherri Helwig
@slhelwig.bsky.social
Arts Management professor at the University of Toronto (@utsc.bsky.social), faculty association Vice-President, labour rights advocate, arts consultant, wildlife rescue driver, Canadian, and proud mom. Not in that order. 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 #AcademicSky #CanadaSky
For anyone who might wonder what I do at the faculty association: here (at this link) is the result of one matter I oversaw, championed a policy interpretation grievance for, helped to mediate, agreed to settle, alleged a violation of the settlement, settled again, and, at long last, voila!
Substantial Win: Teaching Stream Eligibility for Academic Administration Positions
UTFA is pleased to announce that it has secured an agreement with the senior University Administration that recognizes that Teaching Stream faculty are eligible for appointments to academic administra...
www.utfa.org
November 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
For anyone who might wonder what I do at the faculty association: here (at this link) is the result of one matter I oversaw, championed a policy interpretation grievance for, helped to mediate, agreed to settle, alleged a violation of the settlement, settled again, and, at long last, voila!
A part of a personal day yesterday involved an "adrenaline-spiking" dune buggy adventure in the Ica desert, Peru, culminating in a sunset picnic in the desert. Feeling bone-tired, sore, and every single one of my years today, but glad for the memories.
November 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
A part of a personal day yesterday involved an "adrenaline-spiking" dune buggy adventure in the Ica desert, Peru, culminating in a sunset picnic in the desert. Feeling bone-tired, sore, and every single one of my years today, but glad for the memories.
The contrasts and complexity of Lima, Peru, in one photo.
November 7, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The contrasts and complexity of Lima, Peru, in one photo.
On my way to Lima, Peru (notably avoiding a layover in the U.S.) to meet with a global community of cultural policy researchers including academics, policy makers, and arts practitioners. Excited!
November 2, 2025 at 11:33 AM
On my way to Lima, Peru (notably avoiding a layover in the U.S.) to meet with a global community of cultural policy researchers including academics, policy makers, and arts practitioners. Excited!
I humbly offer this timeline cleanse: a juvenile Goldfinch enjoying a quick nap between meals.
September 12, 2025 at 12:21 AM
I humbly offer this timeline cleanse: a juvenile Goldfinch enjoying a quick nap between meals.
Doesn’t even look real. Lake near Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada. (iPhone photo, unedited except to convert HEIC to JPG)
August 29, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Doesn’t even look real. Lake near Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada. (iPhone photo, unedited except to convert HEIC to JPG)
View from a Bobcaygeon dock after the rain. (And yes, of course, we listened to the Tragically Hip this morning for the full experience.)
August 25, 2025 at 10:05 PM
View from a Bobcaygeon dock after the rain. (And yes, of course, we listened to the Tragically Hip this morning for the full experience.)
Monarchs released this morning. Fly free!
July 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Monarchs released this morning. Fly free!
Chrysalis, just a bit over an inch long, with Monarch butterfly wings just starting to show through. (This was the first butterfly of the season released this morning, but I'm sharing this photo taken last night because this one didn't hang around long enough for photos!)
July 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Chrysalis, just a bit over an inch long, with Monarch butterfly wings just starting to show through. (This was the first butterfly of the season released this morning, but I'm sharing this photo taken last night because this one didn't hang around long enough for photos!)
Reposted by Sherri Helwig
Duke University has offered some faculty and staff buyouts in anticipation of federal funding cuts, but employees say they haven't been included in conversations, in violation of shared governance. Will other colleges follow suit? chroni.cl/46byg4f
The Death of Shared Governance
When administrators attempt to slash programs and lay off staff, should faculty have a say?
chroni.cl
July 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Duke University has offered some faculty and staff buyouts in anticipation of federal funding cuts, but employees say they haven't been included in conversations, in violation of shared governance. Will other colleges follow suit? chroni.cl/46byg4f
We can’t find Marc Anthony anywhere. #CatsOfBluesky
July 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
We can’t find Marc Anthony anywhere. #CatsOfBluesky
At long last, a Monarch finally visited our milkweed patch (seen here, in a photo I took through the kitchen window this morning) & another left eggs. These are sights I take in with joy, & yet also with concern for the late(r) arrivals & the low(er) numbers of these & other beneficial insects.
July 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
At long last, a Monarch finally visited our milkweed patch (seen here, in a photo I took through the kitchen window this morning) & another left eggs. These are sights I take in with joy, & yet also with concern for the late(r) arrivals & the low(er) numbers of these & other beneficial insects.
Mama raccoon, taking a drink from the birdbath on our deck (and watching every move I make).
July 3, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Mama raccoon, taking a drink from the birdbath on our deck (and watching every move I make).
A small fox visited our deck during breakfast this morning. (I had coffee on one side of the window, and this friend helped itself to some sunflower hearts and peanuts left out for the birds.) #UrbanWildlife #ScarbTO #Toronto
June 26, 2025 at 12:48 PM
A small fox visited our deck during breakfast this morning. (I had coffee on one side of the window, and this friend helped itself to some sunflower hearts and peanuts left out for the birds.) #UrbanWildlife #ScarbTO #Toronto
Cooper's Hawk (I believe) defeathering its prey (a juvenile Starling) on our front lawn in Toronto, Canada. #UrbanWildlife #LivingNearTheRougeNationalUrbanPark #ScarbTO
June 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Cooper's Hawk (I believe) defeathering its prey (a juvenile Starling) on our front lawn in Toronto, Canada. #UrbanWildlife #LivingNearTheRougeNationalUrbanPark #ScarbTO
So, I guess we *won't* be pulling down this mostly-dead tree in our backyard after all. Any guesses who might be in there? If we find out, I'll be sure to share!
June 19, 2025 at 12:12 AM
So, I guess we *won't* be pulling down this mostly-dead tree in our backyard after all. Any guesses who might be in there? If we find out, I'll be sure to share!
It was a warm one for our furry friends today.
June 15, 2025 at 10:26 PM
It was a warm one for our furry friends today.
One of the six large and lovely Polyphemus moths that emerged today after hanging out all winter as cocoons in my fridge. (Or, frankly, this male is just as likely to be a visitor from elsewhere wishing to mate with one of the moths that emerged today. Either way, a bit of excitement chez Helwig!)
June 12, 2025 at 10:52 PM
One of the six large and lovely Polyphemus moths that emerged today after hanging out all winter as cocoons in my fridge. (Or, frankly, this male is just as likely to be a visitor from elsewhere wishing to mate with one of the moths that emerged today. Either way, a bit of excitement chez Helwig!)
New and unexpected visitor to the back deck during my morning coffee: meet my friend Bill Murray (IYKYK). I particularly love the second photo showing Bill looking longingly out between the balusters to the back yard.
June 10, 2025 at 10:44 PM
New and unexpected visitor to the back deck during my morning coffee: meet my friend Bill Murray (IYKYK). I particularly love the second photo showing Bill looking longingly out between the balusters to the back yard.
Reposted by Sherri Helwig
I mean holy sh*t, don’t ever bet against Ukrainians.
June 1, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I mean holy sh*t, don’t ever bet against Ukrainians.
One of my gargoyles, surveying my initial efforts at removing the algae from the deck (and the gargoyle, for that matter). Satisfying work.
May 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
One of my gargoyles, surveying my initial efforts at removing the algae from the deck (and the gargoyle, for that matter). Satisfying work.
Experimenting with growing microgreens. Underside looks good… though I wasn’t expecting ALL the seeds to germinate!
May 29, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Experimenting with growing microgreens. Underside looks good… though I wasn’t expecting ALL the seeds to germinate!
My friend Russell Crowe, showing off muscular wings with feather patterns that look a bit like dragon scales.
May 27, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My friend Russell Crowe, showing off muscular wings with feather patterns that look a bit like dragon scales.
Can't get any more Toronto than that! (Blue jay in our backyard maple tree.)
May 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Can't get any more Toronto than that! (Blue jay in our backyard maple tree.)