The festival will celebrate feminist creativity and collective transformation through��debates, performances, installations, film, posters, and conversations—opening a shared space for dialogue between��high school students, university communities, artists, and activists.

The Feminist Festival will not be a traditional academic conference—it will be a��multiform event��where scholarship meets art, and where imagination and justice co-create the future. Our aim is to make feminist ideas visible, accessible, and joyful; to honour diverse voices; and to build intergenerational solidarity through creativity, care, and action.

Call for Committee Members

We are seeking CFR Associates (open to Graduate, Faculty, and Research Associates)��who are passionate about feminist research, organizing, and public engagement to join the��Festival Organizing Committee. Members will also help shape the overall��vision and structure��of the festival, ensuring it reflects feminist values of inclusion, accessibility, and collaboration.

Time Commitment

• Meetings: Monthly (Nov–April), bi-weekly closer to the event date
• Festival: one full day in��Fall 2026��(exact date TBD)
• Volunteer certificate and CFR acknowledgment provided

Get Involved

Please email cfr@yorku.ca to indicate your interest in joining the committee. You are invited to write a short statement about your interest in the Feminist Festival committee, outlining your program, research interests, and any relevant skills or experience.

The post Call for Committee Members: CFR Feminist Festival appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

The resolution states:

"Be it resolved that, the Centre for Feminist Research (CFR) formally��endorses and will honour the call of Palestinian civil society for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions��due to their complicity in the state’s violations of human rights, occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid. This boycott will suspend events, activities, institutional agreements, collaborative projects, or academic exchanges with institutions in Israel. This academic boycott targets Israeli academic institutions, not individual academics."

The motion was put forward by the CFR's Director and passed by the CFR's Executive Committee.

The CFR's new commitment coincides with the , which includes a specific call for an of Israeli universities.

The post CFR commits to boycott of Israeli academic institutions appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

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��ɫ 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��ɫ 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��
��
The Executive Committee is responsible for matters 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 for graduate student members is one academic year.��

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 “Feminisms in Focus” blog and interview series.����

  
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 for Feminist Research (if applicable); and 4) Your past involvement in departmental committees or other Research Centres (if applicable) 

 
Please email all applications and any questions to the CFR Coordinator Andi Schwartz ���� c�ڰ�-���Ǵǰ�����ǰ����.����.  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.

Dr. Linn Biörklund��is a Research Associate at the Centre for Refugee Studies at 91��ɫ. In September 2025, she will begin a SSHRC-funded postdoctoral research project at the University of Barcelona, Spain. Her research bridges political geography, critical border studies, and transnational feminism to redefine violence, bordering practices, geopolitical economies, and protection along migratory routes and in spaces of waiting. She has extensive experience working with social justice movements and humanitarian NGOs.

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

The post Congratulations to 2023-2024 Mary McEwan Award winner, Dr. Linn Biörklund! appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

February 24, 2025��

The Centre for Feminist Research (CFR) at 91��ɫ expresses deep concern over the recent decision by 91��ɫ’s senior administration to suspend first-year admissions to the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s 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��ɫ 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’s 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’s 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’s Studies as a Standalone Degree 

A dedicated program in GSWS is not merely an academic specialization—it 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—who are experts in their fields and responsible for curriculum and program development—raises serious concerns about academic governance. Such actions disregard faculty expertise by sidelining those best positioned to assess the program’s 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��ɫ's top-down approach to program suspensions, emphasizing the administration's responsibility to uphold principles of openness, transparency, and the duty to consult. CAUT’s Executive Director, David Robinson, stated, "91��ɫ'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’s 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—not the worst." () 

A Call to Action 

We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Indigenous Studies and all affected departments. We urge 91��ɫ’s 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��

• Provost David Peters: provost@yorku.ca��

• Dean JJ McMurtry: deanlaps@yorku.ca��

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

Please consider CC’ing the 91��ɫ Faculty Association (yufa@yorku.ca), which is actively working to address these suspensions. 

Signed, 
The Centre for Feminist Research 
91��ɫ 
Toronto, ON 

The post CFR Statement on the Suspension of Admissions to the School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies at 91��ɫ�� appeared first on Centre for Feminist Research.

See the full call at the following link: /cfr/wp-content/uploads/sites/255/2025/02/CFP-Connection-Final-Draft.pdf

Check out the Critical Femininities Research Cluster page for more information: /cfr/critical-femininities/

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

This interdisciplinary course bridges foundational concepts in artificial intelligence (AI) with feminist theories, offering a critical framework to examine how AI technologies reinforce or challenge societal power dynamics. Participants will explore key feminist principles, including intersectionality, alongside AI fundamentals such as machine learning and algorithmic design. Through lectures, case studies, and reflective activities, the course emphasizes critical theory and ethical considerations, equipping attendees with tools to interrogate and reimagine AI systems in ways that promote equity and inclusion.

A microcredit certificate will be issued to all participants from CIFAL 91��ɫ and The Centre for Feminist Research.

Find the course outline and more information at the following link: /cifal/ai-feminism/

Join us!

Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm ET
Location: Seymour Schulich Building, ADERSIM Lab, N004, 91��ɫ - Keele Campus
Tickets: /cifal/ai-feminism/

The post Sign up for the AI & Feminism Workshop on March 15 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.