Named in honour of Dr. Mary McEwan, a feminist psychiatrist, this annual award of $1,000.00 will be awarded to one PhD dissertation produced in the 2024-2025 academic year at 91亚色 in the area of feminist scholarship. A committee of faculty affiliated with the Centre will choose the winners.

To be eligible:

1. Nominees must be a 91亚色 graduate student who successfully defended a dissertation during the 2024-25 academic year (September 1 2024-August 31st, 2025).
2. The nominee's dissertation must concern feminist theory and/or gender issues.
3. The examining committee for the dissertation must unanimously recommend it for an award.

Find out more about the award and the nomination requirements at this link: /cfr/mary-mcewan-award-nomination-process-2025/

The post Now Open: Nominations for the 2024-25 Mary McEwan Award appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

Position Description听
听
The Executive Committee is responsible鈥痜or鈥痬atters of regular management of the Centre and serves in a consultative and monitoring capacity in relation to the Director (and any Associate Directors). For 2025-26, meetings will take place monthly or bimonthly online via Zoom. The term of office鈥痜or鈥痝raduate鈥痵tudent members is one academic year.听

Grad reps will represent the interests of graduate students to the CFR and have the opportunity to be involved in special projects, including events, research clusters, and the 鈥淔eminisms in Focus鈥� blog and interview series.听听

  
Application 
 
If you are interested, please send your CV and a 1-page letter of application that includes: 1) A statement of interest explaining why you would like to join the CFR Executive; 2) Special projects you would like to be involved with or initiate; 3) Your past involvement with the Centre鈥痜or鈥疐eminist Research (if applicable); and 4) Your past involvement in departmental committees or other Research Centres鈥�(if applicable) 

 
Please email all applications and any questions to the CFR Coordinator Andi Schwartz 补迟鈥痗蹿谤-肠辞辞谤蔼测辞谤办耻.肠补.鈥� Applications are due Tuesday, September 30, 2025.  

The post Now Open: Call for Graduate Student Representatives on the CFR Executive Committee appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

February 24, 2025听

The Centre for Feminist Research (CFR) at 91亚色 expresses deep concern over the recent decision by 91亚色鈥檚 senior administration to suspend first-year admissions to the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women鈥檚 Studies (SGSWS) without prior consultation with faculty, students, or affected communities. This decision, made without transparency or meaningful dialogue, raises significant issues regarding the university's commitment to educational integrity and shared governance. 

91亚色 administrators have framed this decision as a necessary step for program sustainability, citing financial constraints and low enrollment. However, their response overlooks the fundamental issue of chronic underfunding in post-secondary education and the disproportionate impact these suspensions have on equity-focused programs. The administration鈥檚 claim that these suspensions are temporary fails to account for the long-term damage caused when programs lose the ability to recruit new students, leading to a decline in course offerings and faculty positions. Moreover, reducing GSWS to elective courses rather than sustaining it as a standalone program undermines its academic integrity and social importance. 

The School of Gender, Sexuality & Women鈥檚 Studies is internationally recognized for its critical contributions to feminist, queer, trans, and anti-racist scholarship. It plays a vital role in fostering research, policy engagement, and community partnerships that advance equity and social justice. The abrupt suspension of admissions disrupts this important work and creates uncertainty for faculty, students, and staff who are deeply invested in these academic and activist commitments. 

The Importance of Gender, Sexuality & Women鈥檚 Studies as a Standalone Degree 

A dedicated program in GSWS is not merely an academic specialization鈥攊t is an essential field of study that equips students with the critical thinking skills needed to analyze and address some of the most pressing social issues of our time. In an era of increasing gender-based violence, rising attacks on 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and persistent social and economic inequalities, the study of gender and sexuality is crucial for producing informed, engaged citizens who can advocate for change across multiple sectors, including education, policy, healthcare, law, and community activism. 

A standalone GSWS degree provides students with specialized training in intersectional analysis, equipping them to understand how gender, sexuality, race, class, disability, and other axes of identity shape lived experiences and structures of power. Unlike gender-focused minors or interdisciplinary courses embedded in other programs, a dedicated GSWS program ensures that feminist and queer scholarship is not marginalized, diluted, or treated as a secondary concern. The decision to suspend admissions risks sidelining a discipline that is fundamental to social justice efforts locally and globally. 

Concerns Over Faculty Expertise and Academic Freedom 

This decision mirrors the recent suspension of admissions to the Indigenous Studies program and other departments across the university. The lack of consultation with faculty鈥攚ho are experts in their fields and responsible for curriculum and program development鈥攔aises serious concerns about academic governance. Such actions disregard faculty expertise by sidelining those best positioned to assess the program鈥檚 sustainability and development. Moreover, it sets a concerning precedent for academic freedom, allowing administrative decision-making to override the intellectual and pedagogical direction of programs without input from those who teach and research in these areas. 

The Broader Crisis of Underfunding in Post-Secondary Education 

We acknowledge that these challenges are symptomatic of broader systemic issues, particularly chronic underfunding of post-secondary education. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has criticized 91亚色's top-down approach to program suspensions, emphasizing the administration's responsibility to uphold principles of openness, transparency, and the duty to consult. CAUT鈥檚 Executive Director, David Robinson, stated, "91亚色's failure to consult with faculty about program suspensions raises serious concerns about the administration's commitment to educational integrity and its academic staff." Robinson also urged the provincial government to ensure proper funding for universities and colleges, noting that "Ontario's universities and colleges have the lowest level of funding per student of any province." () 

Furthermore, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has called for bold investments in post-secondary education, urging political parties to make long-term commitments to protect and elevate Ontario鈥檚 post-secondary education system. OCC President and CEO, Daniel Tisch, stated, "Ontario must aspire to have the best-funded post-secondary education system in Canada鈥攏ot the worst." () 

A Call to Action 

We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Indigenous Studies and all affected departments. We urge 91亚色鈥檚 administration to engage in meaningful dialogue with faculty, students, and the broader community to explore solutions that preserve the integrity and accessibility of these programs. We also call upon the provincial government to address the systemic underfunding of post-secondary education, which has precipitated such crises. 

If you would like to share your concerns about this decision, please contact: 

• President Rhonda Lenton: president@yorku.ca听

• Provost David Peters: provost@yorku.ca听

• Dean JJ McMurtry: deanlaps@yorku.ca听

• Consultant Lisa Phillipps: lphillipps@osgoode.yorku.ca听

Please consider CC鈥檌ng the 91亚色 Faculty Association (yufa@yorku.ca), which is actively working to address these suspensions. 

Signed, 
The Centre for Feminist Research 
91亚色 
Toronto, ON 

The post CFR Statement on the Suspension of Admissions to the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women鈥檚 Studies at 91亚色听 appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

In October, the Critical Trafficking and Sex Work research cluster at the CFR organized a 3-day virtual conference called Beyond the Interface: Critical Perspectives of Sex Work and Sextech. The conference featured 40 presentations and 11 panels, covering urgent debates and topics in the field, including:

• Legal and Ethical Debates: Navigating the complex legal landscape and ethical considerations surrounding sextech and sex work.
• Inclusive Erotic Spaces: Examining representation and inclusivity in virtual realms and exploring how to create more equitable online experiences.
• Global Power Dynamics: Unpacking the impact of neoliberal globalization and neocolonialism on digital sex work.
• Wellness and Safety Online: Addressing the critical issues of health and safety in online environments.
• Technological Innovation and Social Change: Exploring how technology is shaping the future of sex work and social justice.

The conference organizers share these resources in solidarity with sex workers in Canada and globally, in memoriam of those surviving violence, or who are no longer with us. They invite all to explore the archive and rich volume of qualitative perspectives, shared with permission, that reflect both theory for development and the social reality of the lived experiences of sex workers.

View the conference recordings at this link:

The post Beyond the Interface Conference Recordings Now Available appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

For more information, check out our website: /cfr/critical-femininities/

Read the full call at this link: /cfr/wp-content/uploads/sites/255/2024/11/Call-For-Committee-Members-Critical-Femininities-Connection.pdf

The post Call for Committee Members for Connection: The Fifth Annual Critical Femininities Conference appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

Nominations for the inaugural National Medal for Excellence in Feminist Scholarship in Canada are due December 1, 2024.

About the Award

The National Medal for Excellence in Feminist Scholarship in Canada is awarded annually by the Centre for Feminist Research and honours the outstanding contributions of 91亚色 faculty Ena Dua, Bonita Lawrence, and Meg Luxton. Through their anti-racist, Indigenous feminist, and feminist scholarship, they have transformed our understanding of women鈥檚 everyday realities and struggles for more just relationships.

This annual award of $500 is presented to one scholar working in the areas of Indigenous feminisms, anti-racist feminism, socialist feminism or feminist political economy. The adjudication committee welcomes nominations and self-nominations for the Medal.

Nomination Requirements

• CV of nominee
• Nomination letter (self-authored or authored by 1-3 supporters) outlining scholarly contributions in the areas of Indigenous feminisms, anti-racist feminism, socialist feminism and/or political economy

Please submit CV and letter to cfr-coor@yorku.ca with the subject line 鈥淣omination 鈥� Medal for Excellence in Feminist Scholarship in Canada鈥� by December 1, 2024.

Submissions and inquiries can be made via email to听cfr-coor@yorku.ca.

See details about the award at this link: /cfr/the-medal-for-excellence-in-feminist-scholarship-in-canada/

The post Call for Nominations: National Medal for Excellence in Feminist Scholarship in Canada appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

CRITERIA OF ELIGIBILITY

1. Must be a 91亚色 graduate student who has successfully defended a dissertation during the 2023-24 academic year (September 1 2023-August 31st, 2024).The nominee鈥檚 dissertation must concern feminist theory and/or gender issues.
2. The nominee鈥檚 dissertation must concern feminist theory and/or gender issues.
3. The examining committee for the dissertation must unanimously recommend it for an award.

PROCEDURE FOR NOMINATION

Each nomination must include:

1. The nomination checklist (see below).
2. A copy of the dissertation.
3. A one-page statement (max.) from the nominee about the contribution the dissertation makes to feminist scholarship.
4. A letter of recommendation from the student鈥檚 Supervisor commenting on the nominee鈥檚 dissertation or thesis.
5. A statement from the Graduate Program Director noting that the nominee鈥檚 dissertation was recommended as one that should be considered for a prize.
6. A copy of the external examiner鈥檚 report.

PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION

Please complete the nomination checklist and submit your nomination package to Andi Schwartz, Coordinator of the Centre for Feminist Research, no later than November 30, 2024.

Submissions and questions can be made via email to cfr-coor@yorku.ca.

For more information about the award, please visit this link: /cfr/mary-mcewan-award-nomination-process-2023/

The post Call for Nominations: 2023-24 Mary McEwan Award appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

Dr. Shaunasea Brown听is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Studies program at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON. Her research collaborates with Black women artists of Caribbean descent and uses music, photography, visual and performance art to unpack second-generation understandings of 鈥渉ome.鈥� This work provides Black feminist art critique to illuminate not only the artwork of the artists she studies, but also to amplify their wider communities as key contributors to our Canadian landscape who reshape how we understand place, care, and relationality.听 She teaches courses such as Toward Freedom, Being Black in Diaspora and Beyond Multiculturalism. Her current playlist includes Mortimer, Bob Marley, and Shenseea. Brown is also a co-founder of a new network, Black Researchers of Southwestern Ontario (BRSO).

Read more about Dr. Brown and her dissertation at this link: /cfr/mary-mcewan-memorial-award/

Nominations for the 2023-24 Mary McEwan Award are now open. See this link for more information: /cfr/mary-mcewan-award-nomination-process-2023/

The post Congratulations to 2022-2023 Mary McEwan Award winner, Dr. Shaunasea Brown! appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

Registration is free for all attendees and the conference will take place virtually on August 16-18, 2024.   

Register using this form until August 1: 听

For more information, please see the Critical Femininities Research Cluster page: /cfr/critical-femininities/

The post Registration Open for Generation: The Fourth Annual Critical Femininities Conference appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

A message from Dr. El Morr:

I am humbled by the support I have received from colleagues throughout the application process for the CFR director position. As the incoming director of the Centre for Feminist Research (CFR), I am deeply committed to upholding the CFR's legacy of centering Indigenous, anti-racist, and Global South feminisms.

I envision the CFR as a vibrant hub that amplifies marginalized voices and perspectives including in new fields such as Artificial Intelligence. I firmly believe that centering marginalized experiences is essential for achieving meaningful social change and advancing intersectional feminist praxis.

To achieve this vision, we will continue to collectively create a truly inclusive and transformative feminist space by prioritizing Indigenous knowledge systems, dismantling systemic racism, and fostering transnational solidarity, including in new fields such as Artificial Intelligence. The CFR will continue to reflect the rich diversity of feminist thought and activism, both locally and globally, and expand its impact in new fields.

I am eager to work with colleagues and staff at the CFR.听As I reflect on the immense talent and dedication of the CFR's colleagues and staff, I am filled with hope and a steadfast commitment听to ensuring that the CFR remains a space that embodies anti-racist and "margins to center" feminisms and to working to foster a sustainable and innovative ecosystem of equity and justice for all.

Dr. Christo El Morr

Dr. Christo El Morr is a Professor of Health Informatics and the Director of the Center of Feminist Research at 91亚色. He is the current Health Informatics Certificate Coordinator, and has served as the Graduate Program Director (Health) and Undergraduate Program Director (Health Studies) at the School of Health Policy and Management at 91亚色. He is also a Research Scientist at North 91亚色 General Hospital, Toronto. His research subscribes to an Equity Informatics perspective; it covers Equity AI (e.g., patient readmission, disability advocacy), Patient-Centered Virtual Care (e.g., chronic disease management, mental health), Global Health Promotion for equity (e.g., equity health promotion), Human Rights Monitoring (e.g., disability rights, Gender-Based Violence). As a theologian and a poet, his wider intellectual contribution to Social Justice subscribes to a defence of the human person against alienation, whether in the form of infringement of human freedom or dignity in the face of irrational powers and exploitation. His intellectual work encompasses work of freedom from oppression (e.g., analysis of exclusive identities, communion and solidarity, freedom, liberation of reason), freedom from exploitation (e.g., analysis of illusions of freedom, political and religious exploitation), and freedom to celebrate life (e.g., poetry).

To find out more about Professor El Morr and his work, please see: .

The post Welcome to the incoming CFR Director, Dr. Christo El Morr! appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.