Gender Studies Archives - Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS)

91��ɫ Graduate Scholars conduct ground-breaking research with a global lens

vinish — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 16:23:41 +0000

Catch a glimpse of the cutting-edge research taking place at 91��ɫ done by talented graduate students who generate innovative knowledge. Their visionary projects address pressing issues in our society as well as problems that are often overlooked.

is a PhD scholar in the Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies program, is investigating how marginalized women use art-based resistance to create space for social change. She is specifically looking at sex trade workers in Kenya and how they are using feminist art as resistance. Her vital research has the potential to dismantle stereotypes and to look at different modes of agency and self-determination amongst marginalized women. On a global scale, the project can strengthen communities by helping build capacity for change in marginalized populations.

“What inspired me was my initial work in a community-based outreach advocacy and support services in the downtown east side of Vancouver working with survival sex workers during a time when there was a serial killer on trial for targeting specifically Indigenous street-based sex workers in that community. I started conducting fundraisers for international day to end violence against sex workers in a variety show format, which demonstrated the capacity of art activism among sex workers,” Cherrington shares her own personal experience that ignited her passion for the project.

_{Kathleen Cherrington}

taught French, English and German in the Ontario public school system before coming back to 91��ɫ to pursue her doctorate in Études Francophones (French Studies). Her innovative research examines how language is used in various technological channels. Specifically she is exploring the sociolinguistic variations of Quebec French on social networks.

On a regional and national level the research will reveal the state of French in Quebec as well as the attitudes Quebecers have towards their language. Moreover, the project can determine if there is an evolution in sociolinguistic variations and language attitudes. From a philosophical perspective, Patterson’s project can contribute to the topic of technological determinism; in other words, does technology have a profound impact on our choices or in this case on our language.

_{Fiona Patterson}

is a PhD scholar in Theater and Performance Studies, and also a 2020 SSHRC Vanier scholar. His doctoral research on women’s vocal traditions in rural India was inspired by his grandmother’s teachings. Situated at the intersection of performance studies and audiovisual anthropology, his project reveals how women use their voice as a form of activism and resistance. Specifically, the project studies north Indian women's songs and local traditions with a focus on the performative or the activist power of voice as a material technology of self.

“I noticed how such histories have been erased especially since the colonial era when in the late 19th century social reformers tried to look down upon women's songs and labeled them as vulgar. So my research is a lot about really looking back at the system,” says Nayyar.

_{Rajat Nayyar}

is a PhD scholar in Critical Geography, focuses on human displacement and bordering practices in southern Mexico. Her research argues that the geopolitics of enforcement and restrictive borders in the region have increased violence experienced by people that are moving from central America to Mexico. She seeks to understand and to rethink narratives of displacement by focusing on what she calls gendered ordering practices. Her project has the potential to rethink migration protection.

“When I tell people about my research the response is often twofold, first that they were unaware about the situation for migrants in southern Mexico, and second that well are people from central America real refugees,” says Biorklund Belliveau. “With my research, I hope to underscore the power structures embedded in restrictive migration policies and in generalized views of mobility.”

Her research can aid in relieving some misconceptions about categories and labels linked to migration, which can be highly politicized and discriminatory.

_{Linn Biorklund Belliveau}

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Professional Skill Development with FGS

vinish — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:13:40 +0000

Graduate students and recent grads can be proactive about their future and become competitive on the job market by professionalizing their degree with the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS). Career support services are available to help members of the graduate community develop professional skills that supplement the academic work done in their graduate program.

The Graduate & Postdoctoral Professional Skills (GPPS) platform is the first point of contact for grad students who are seeking professional development resources. This convenient tool is available 24/7 and hosts a multitude of sources across campus that help students grow and meet their career plans and goals. The GPPS clearly outlines six major areas for students to focus on: Career Exploration and Planning, Communication, Health and Wellness, Managing Time and Resources, Research Dissemination and Teaching. The platform has an easy-to-use interface where students can filter by these thematic areas or search by keywords. From resources on scholarly publishing to women led ventures, GPPS connects students to the right opportunities that help them succeed within and beyond the academic world.

_{Graduate scholars collaborating in group discussions.}

Another resource that can aid grad students in professionalize their degree is the Individualized Development Plan (IDP). The convenient framework is part of a cyclical process that motivates students to assess their current level of expertise, identify future goals and map out a plan of action for achieving them. The IDP can initiate ongoing conversations with supervisors, graduate program directors and peers that will help build networks and long-term connections. We also have a dedicated IDP for postdoctoral researchers.

Additionally, Beyond the Professoriate's Career Training Platform is the go-to eLearning platform for graduate community members who are exploring careers outside of academia. With on-demand, self-paced learning modules, Aurora allows PhDs and Postdocs to determine how to effectively apply the skills acquired through their education and become competitive on the job market. The platform’s curated content consists of modules, which are easily accessible at any time and in any order. All of the contributors who deliver workshops and participate in career panels and interviews have successfully completed their PhD and are experts in the fields of Arts, Social Sciences, STEM, Business and Education.

is another resource available not only to students but also to recent grads. With tools catered specifically to any student’s unique situation, the CED is able to provide a custom way to build professional skills. Materials for international students, new grads, Indigenous students and many other personalized resources are available.

Career educators are just a click away with virtual . Additionally, the is accessible on a drop-in basis. Career Peer educators provide guidance in a variety of ways from exploring what students and grads can do with their degree to creating a strong LinkedIn profile. A team of professionals work with students to develop the right career self-management skills. Moreover, the Career Centre provides webinars and hosts events to help 91��ɫ community members explore a diverse set of careers and seek out jobs. A list of all the happening virtually and on campus are conveniently accessible through the calendar feature. Additionally, the Centre provides opportunities to connect with alumni and employers directly, creating convenient networking possibilities.

For more information on Professionalizing Your Degree visit the FGS webpage.

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91��ɫ graduate students receive grant to curate digital literacy resources for queer seniors

vinish — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 16:51:00 +0000

Two 91��ɫ graduate students are leading a new project that aims to improve access to digital resources to better serve 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors in Canada.

Stephanie Jonsson and Hannah Maitland, both PhD candidates in the Gender, Feminist, and Women’s Studies Department at 91��ɫ, are founders of the Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN), a queer-centred non-profit that works with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and other service providers to advise on digital strategies that improve access to remote services.

Several 91��ɫ graduate and undergraduate students offer their time and expertise to ODLAN, including Angela Stanley, Helen Martin and Keely O’Brien.

ODLAN recently received $25,000 from the , a federal grants and contributions program that provides funding for projects that make a difference in the lives of seniors and their communities.

_{Hannah Maitland and Stephanie Jonsson}

The funded project, called “Combating Digital Exclusion: Mobilizing Educational Resources to Remove Digital Access Barriers,” allows ODLAN to focus attention on curating resources specifically for older adults and continue to form partnerships with digital literacy organizations to help them become more queer-inclusive.

“Since its formation in 2021, ODLAN has provided a collaborative space for 91��ɫ students to contribute to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” said Maitland. “As we shift to a new normal post-pandemic, it is still essential to remove digital literacy and access barriers for anyone who is experiencing these challenges.”

2SLGBTQIA+ older adults face several challenges when accessing remote service provisions, says Maitland, such as financial limitations, a lack of digital literacy and a lack of support to learn new devices. ODLAN, Maitland says, works to prioritize highlighting affordable and accessible resources for communities with the least secure access to devices and internet access, such as Indigenous community members, people with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada.

Through this grant, ODLAN has hosted webinars and created original guides and infographics to educate the public about the importance of queer-inclusive digital literacy and remote services.

Research is currently underway to expand ODLAN’s resource database and the team will host relevant resources and educational materials on a newly formatted version of the ODLAN website. During the 2022 Winter term, students from Professor Melanie Beljko’s graduate course, EECS6330 “Critical Technical Practice: Computer Accessibility and Assistive Technology,” volunteered to program and help host a resource database that would be easily accessible and searchable by the public. Because the site hosts resources that have already been confirmed to be up-to-date and queer-friendly, users will be able to operate the site like a search engine and enter terms to find quality and affordable digital literacy resources more easily than a general Google search. Work will continue through the summer and ODLAN will launch the new resource database website in late August.

“Nobody should be excluded from accessing digital programs and resources. Digital literacy and access needs to be recognized as a basic human right,” says Jonsson.

More information about ODLAN can be found at .

Provided by .

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