Social Science | Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS)

FGS welcomes New Associate Dean, Students

vinish — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:30:24 +0000

Dr. Tokunbo Ojo joins the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) as the new Associate Dean, Students. Ojo is an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Media Studies and an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Social Science within the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS). He will transition into his new role through the month of July while liaising with the managers of the different portfolios in FGS throughout the summer.

“I am honoured to be selected to serve as the Associate Dean, Students, Graduate Studies. I look forward to enhancing the student experience and graduate education at 91��ɫ,” says Ojo. “I wish to thank Professor Aryn Martin for her hard work and care for our students during her term as the Associate Dean, Students.”

The AD Students is part of the senior-level team within the Dean’s Office in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and reports to the Dean and Associate Vice-Provost of Graduate Studies. In his new role, Ojo will focus on matters involving Admissions and Enrolment, Degree Progress, as well as Funding and Employment. In addition to working with graduate students directly, he will also collaborate with the operational team in the FGS administrative office, graduate program directors (GPDs), graduate program assistants (GPAs), and various anchor Faculty Associate Deans.

“Something I stressed strongly for this position was the taking of an “ethics first” approach to student support” share Thomas Loebel, Dean and Associate Vice Provost Graduate. “Dr. Ojo has demonstrated both inside and outside of the classroom not only the significance but also the efficacy of this approach. For him, kindness need not be a stranger to honesty, realism, accuracy, and careful planning. If students want from their graduate school experience something unique and transformative, then there will be challenges on many fronts. What I felt distinguishes Dr. Ojo is how successful he has been at helping students to navigate such challenges. From experience he has learned when to stand beside or behind students as a support, but also when to step in front as a shield and advocate.”

_{Dr. Tokunbo Ojo}

Ojo joined the 91��ɫ community a decade ago, and his involvement with different committees as well as members of the community have prepared him to be successful in this new position. Most recently, he was the MA Coordinator for the 91��ɫ/Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Joint Graduate Program in Communication and Culture (ComCult), where he led recruitment efforts and effective strategies to target future students, particularly those from equity-seeking groups in Canada.

Ojo’s experience as Chair of the MA Admissions Committee as well as Chair of 91��ɫ’s ComCult Ethics Committee will enable him to act as an effective liaison between students, university services, and campus resources. Additionally, his practical experience supervising and participating as a committee member with theses, MRPs, and dissertations will aid in supporting students across diverse life circumstances and career trajectories.

In 2020, Ojo became a member of LA&PS’ Academic Policy & Planning Committee (APPC) and has served as Interim Co-chair in the fall of 2022. He is also one of the contributors to the Faculty’s five-year academic plan for 2021-2026. Both experiences provide him with diverse and expansive perspectives, which will help him work together with various stakeholders within the Faculty and across campus to advance 91��ɫ’s University Academic Plan.

“I am eager to work collaboratively with graduate program directors, administrative staff, faculty members, and various graduate student associations to support our students and foster a sense of belonging,” shares Ojo.

Our community mourns the passing of John McCurdy, SPTH graduate student

vinish — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 19:27:47 +0000

The 91��ɫ community comes together to remember John McCurdy, PhD candidate in Social and Political Thought, who passed away December 17, 2021.

McCurdy was born in 1973 and grew up in Burlington, later living in British Columbia and Alberta before returning to Ontario. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English and History and a master’s degree in Globalization Studies, both from McMaster University, as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto. McCurdy worked as a researcher, historian and teacher. He had been a member of the Ontario College of Teachers since 2008.

McCurdy joined the 91��ɫ community in 2016 as a PhD student in Social and Political Thought. His research interests included Toronto History, Urban Studies, Political Theory, and the History and Theory of the Commons, which were all driving forces in shaping his dissertation.

“John McCurdy knew so much about Canadian history, theories of the city, urban theory, Marxist theory and methodology, neo-commoning, the politics of intellectual property and theories of technology. He had the acute research skills of an archivist and historian blended with the political awareness of a political scientist. I will cherish our fascinating conversations drawing on all his knowledge fields along with those of music, life and death,” says Shannon Bell, Professor in 91��ɫ’s Political Science Department who served as McCurdy’s supervisor. “In our second to last conversation, we talked about Leonard Cohen’s “If it be Your Will,” Joni Mitchell’s “Down to You” and the Stoic philosopher Epictetus’ thoughts on control, choice and attitude.”

McCurdy was a life-long writer. His works included Becoming Bruce: The Early Life and Work of Bruce Cockburn (2010) as well as many articles and poems. He was also a nature enthusiast and a deeply spiritual person with a passionate commitment to learning.

Judith Hawley, graduate program assistant for Social and Political Thought, remembers McCurdy as a person who “thrived on reading, research and writing.”

“The one sadness he spoke of was not completing his PhD, it was a project he was deeply committed to completing,” recalls Hawley. “He valued the environment, the changes of the seasons, numerous friendships and new experiences. When COVID shut things down, one of the things he enjoyed most was long walks or bike rides through the ravine near campus.”

John will be deeply missed by his sister, Katherine McCurdy-Lapierre, his stepmother, Kathie Hibbins, as well as many friends and colleagues at 91��ɫ.

^{John McCurdy}

^{We've put together a collection of photos taken by John while on walks around our Keele Campus, 91��ɫ}

Dr. Bell dedicates the following lines by Leonard Cohen to the memory of McCurdy:

If it be your will, that I speak no more
And my voice be still, as it was before
I will speak no more, I shall abide until
I am spoken for, if it be your will

Donations honouring John McCrudy can be made to the Woodland Cultural Centre at .

Graduate students in our Development Studies program receive prestigious scholarships and awards

vinish — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:05:35 +0000

The Graduate Program in Development Studies (DVST) celebrates its students who have been awarded a number of esteemed scholarships and awards. The recipients since 2018 are highlighted below. These talented DVST students undertake interdisciplinary research centred around processes of socio-economic, political and cultural development in the Global South. The significance of their work is recognized by many prestigious award committees that help fund their research.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

OGS is a merit–based scholarship available to students in all disciplines of academic study who pursue graduate education in Ontario on a full-time basis. The scholarship consist of a maximum of $15,000 over three terms ($5000 per term).

Previous recipients: Anifat Ibrahim, Reenas Mohamed, Julia Black, Paula Schulzke, Riaz Khan, Najiba Khaliqi, Nicolas Viens, Dawit Demoz, Maham Aqil, Emily Kutchaw, Travis Moore, Laura Perez Gonzalez.

Canada Graduate Scholarship—Master’s (CGS-M)

CGS-M (SSHRC) supports high-calibre students whose research engages with programs in social sciences and humanities. This support allows scholars to fully focus on their studies, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields and to contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem. The value of the award is $17,500 for one year.

Previous recipients: Najiba Khaliq, Riaz Khan, Naureen Lakhani, Solomiya Sharun, Mahim Aqil, Keiron Cobban, Emily Kutchaw, Sandra McKay, Cody Samuels, Nicholas Storr, Helen Claire Andrus, Travis Moore, Laura Perez Gonzalez, Nicolas Viens, Kaitlyn Williams, Katherine Cheng, John Howes, Yumiko Kiuchi, Florence Lux–Côtė, Cosmina, Silvia Nistor, Ayan Osman, Nicole Vassiliou, Maaike Zeeman.

Pierre Elliot Trudeau Fellowship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program supports students pursuing research in social sciences and humanities, focusing on one or more of the Foundation’s themes: (1) human rights and dignity; (2) responsible citizenship; (3) Canada in the world; and (4) people and their natural environment.

Previous recipients: Nabila Rahman, Helen Claire Andrus, Gabeyre Ahmed, Abinaya Gnanasekar, Travis Moore, Rubina Nanji.

The Paavo and Aino Lukkari Human Rights Fellowship and The Paavo and Aino Lukkari Fieldwork Award

This award is presented annually to 91��ɫ graduate students whose research focuses on human rights and social justice issues impacting Indigenous communities or people of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean. Multiple awards of varying amounts are granted annually, with a maximum of $10,000 for one project.

Previous recipients: Melissa Coward, Keiron Cobban, Sandra McKay, Natalie Uribe-Pabon.

Penelope Jane Glasser

This scholarship assists 91��ɫ students returning to university from a work or family career who are pursuing a graduate degree in interdisciplinary fields. Preference is given to those whose research focus on women's studies. The scholarship consists of up to 3 awards of about $6,000 each.

Previous recipient: Maham Aqil.

Fonds de Recherche du Quebec Science et Culture (FRQSC)

FRQSC provides financial support, which allows scholars to contribute to the development of society, in fields as varied as school retention, new media, cybersecurity and circular economy.

Previous recipient: Nicolas Viens.

Vivienne Poy Asian Research Award

This award supports the fieldwork and research expenses of graduate associates of the 91��ɫ Centre for Asian Research (YCAR). The criteria for selection include the importance of fieldwork for the graduate student’s program, the academic merit of the research proposal, fit with YCAR’s research mandate and active participation in YCAR.

Previous recipient: Abinaya Gnanasekar.

YCAR Language Award

The YCAR Language Award is presented to 91��ɫ graduate students who provide a demonstrated need to learn a specific Asian language related to their area of research. The value of each award is dependent on various factors, such as the number of applicants and the proposed budget in the application. For instance, successful applicants can receive up to $2,000 to reimburse costs directly related to language study.

Previous recipient: Abinaya Gnanasekar.

The Development Studies Program and 91��ɫ commends these high-calibre students who are producing cutting-edge work!