After launching a successful business and charitable program, Chadwin and Camille Bartley graduate with their BEd in Tech Ed, taking the next step in their mission to bring barbering and hairstyling to Ontario high schools

Graduands at the Faculty of Education Spring Convocation ceremony on June 12 reached an unforgettable milestone, including Chadwin and Camille Bartley of the graduating Class of 2026, whose mission is to bring their trade, barbering and hairstyling, into Ontario high schools.

As their three children, aged nine, seven and four, along with Chadwin’s mother and grandmother cheered them on, the Bartleys proudly crossed the stage together, having earned their Bachelor of Education in Technological Education (BEd in Tech Ed) degrees.

“What started as a dream has become a reality. Every mentor, teacher, student, and supporter has played a role in helping my wife and me reach this moment,” said an emotional Chadwin, acknowledging his family and friends who supported the couple throughout their extraordinary journey as mature students, starting their post-secondary education in their 30s.

Celebrity stylists to community mentors

The couple is already well-established in the barbering and hairstyling industry, with a clientele that includes celebrities like Toronto Raptors player RJ Barrett. However, their passion is to promote their profession to youth as a skilled trade and a pathway to successful careers.

“My decision to become an educator stems from a desire to nurture and encourage young minds to pursue their passions fearlessly. I believe teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future, and I am eager to take on this responsibility,” said Camille, who has been a hairstylist since the age of 16. She was also instrumental in inspiring Chadwin to pick up the clippers and learn the craft more than 15 years ago.

“I was able to parlay a barber career into a degree that will help me further my desire to inspire our youth to dream big and work hard,” said Chadwin, crediting his wife for his personal and professional growth.

“From the moment we got married 14 years ago, we committed to doing things differently from what we experienced growing up,” added Chadwin, highlighting how their partnership in life, business, and community has changed lives for many, including their own.

Filling a gap in Ontario high schools

Having had a rough life as youth and understanding the hardship young people experience, they decided to launch the Bartley Skills Development Program, a charitable organization in 2018. Through the charity, with partnership support from major private and public corporations, they have taught youth across the Greater Toronto Area barbering and hairstyling.

“We started noticing that a lot of students are coming wanting to learn how to do hairdressing and barbering, but it wasn't provided in their local high schools,” Chadwin noted. “Because we became successful through the skilled trade, we decided to impart those skills to those who are interested in learning through mentorship.”

Having worked with local high schools and connecting with school administrators who encouraged them to pursue teaching, the couple took the leap and joined 91��ɫ. “Watching trained teachers interact with students, we realized formal teacher training would enhance our teaching of the trade.”

Pathway through 91��ɫ

This is when they came across the BEd in Tech Ed program’s consecutive stream which is designed to encourage trade professionals to combine their passion for their sector with their desire to teach. The program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to teach in high schools across the province.

A key admission requirement of the program, whether applying for the concurrent or consecutive stream, is that the candidate must have work experience — along with industry licensing where applicable — in one of these areas: Communication Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Green Industries, Hairstyling & Aesthetics, Health Care, Hospitality and Tourism, Manufacturing Technology, Technological Design, and Transportation Technology.

While the Concurrent BEd is offered to 91��ɫ students in a related degree program, the Consecutive BEd is open to those like Camille and Chadwin, who meet .

As successful graduates, both Chadwin and Camille have been accepted by the Halton and Peel school boards and are waiting to be placed. They have also been occasional teachers at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and hold Secondary Occasional Teacher Roster positions with Guelph’s Upper Grand District School Board.

“We are off to Jamaica for a summer vacation with our kids in a couple of days! We are excited to start teaching in regional school boards as trades teachers when we return,” said Camille, who plans to work as a teacher full-time, while Chadwin would like to work part-time as a teacher and full-time as a mentor guiding youth into entrepreneurship.

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91��ɫ’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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Originally from the U.S. and having taught sport management and business at universities in the UK, U.S., Netherlands, Singapore and Japan, School of Human Resource Management Associate Professor brings a global perspective to this World Cup. "This tournament is a spectacle of both nationalism and global cooperation. All against a backdrop of dramatic geo-political change and intense negotiations over trade, war and immigration,” says Zipp, program coordinator for the Sport Management program at 91��ɫ’s Markham Campus.

“It’s a really interesting time where we have three very different leaders hosting this World Cup, with very different contexts for the events, and a very particular moment in terms of FIFA’s role and reputation,” she says. “A lot of things that people are mad or worried about on both sides of the border, gas prices, the Iran war, people will divert their attention to the World Cup, and Trump hopes to be a hero in that. He uses sport as a diversion and a proxy for strength, and for traditional masculine values, in his campaigns and leadership. Carney will also use this event to highlight Canada’s strengths and emerging place in the new global order.” 

Zipp is currently writing a book called The Tyranny of Modern Sport where she examines the impact of increasing commodification, politicization, and commercialization of global sport, led by entities like FIFA and the IOC. The book reimagines possibilities of sport for the common good through alternative lenses, including indigenous knowledge, Nordic approaches, and Pope Francis’ integral ecology. 

Zipp can comment on: 

• How Canada and the U.S. have different approaches to their nation’s World Cup narratives
• Global sport and commercialization, capitalism, and governance
• Legacy impacts on future sport education and development
• Globalization, sport policy, and social issues (e.g. gender equality) in sport

More FIFA interview opportunities:

• 91��ɫ Schulich School of Business sports marketing expert Vijay Setlur is following Team Canada on their World Cup 2026 journey and can speak to the fan experience, sports marketing, ticket sale and more.
• Former 91��ɫ U Lion Niko Sigur is part of Canada’s World Cup team and his former coach Carmen Isacco (who was also a Team Canada coach) and teammate Daniel Casa from the Lions are available to speak to his time at 91��ɫ and player development.��More info here.��

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, and Markham Campus is home to 91��ɫ’s Sport Management program. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post U.S. born prof. available to comment on Canada and U.S.'s contrasting FIFA World Cup 2026 host narratives appeared first on News@91��ɫ.

New course-based MEng in Sustainable Energy Systems prepares graduates for leadership roles in Canada’s expanding clean energy sector

TORONTO, June 22, 2026 – 91��ɫ’s Lassonde School of Engineering is launching its first-ever professional master’s degree with a new course-based Master of Engineering (MEng) in Sustainable Energy Systems designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the rapidly expanding energy sector. 

The program can be completed full-time in as little as 12 months, with flexible part-time study options designed for those looking to advance their careers while continuing to work. Unlike traditional research-based master's degrees, the program emphasizes advanced coursework, applied learning and professional development. Courses will be delivered by a blend of faculty and industry professionals, giving students direct exposure to both emerging research and real-world energy challenges. 

“Canada’s energy transition is creating significant demand for talent, with  more than 171,000 hiring requirements across energy-related environmental specializations by 2033,” says Jane Goodyer, Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering at 91��ɫ. "Our new Master of Engineering in Sustainable Energy Systems is designed to help meet that need by preparing graduates to lead the planning, implementation and management of the sustainable energy systems that will power our future.” 

Offered through Lassonde’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the program combines advanced engineering knowledge with training in areas including: 

• Project management and commercialization 
• Computational methods for sustainability 
• Technoeconomic and life-cycle assessment 
• Advanced thermofluids and heat transfer 
• Energy transitions and global perspectives 
• Systems-level thinking 

Learning is grounded in project-based problem-solving, hands-on labs and simulations, real-world case studies and industry-informed coursework. Graduates may pursue roles across sustainable energy, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing sectors, including: 

• Senior or Principal Engineer 
• Energy Transition Strategist 
• Engineering or Project Manager 
• Clean Energy Implementation Consultant 
• Energy Systems Designer  
• Sustainability and Transformation Consultant 
• Data Center Facility & Infrastructure Engineer 
• Electrification Specialist 
• Advanced Manufacturing and Smart Systems Specialist 
• HVAC Systems Engineer 

“From an industry perspective, this initiative is highly relevant and timely,” says Khalid Malik, lead auditor general, nuclear oversight engineering, Ontario Power Generation. “It aligns well with current trends, regulatory shifts and technological advancements, and it offers meaningful contributions to workforce development. Graduates will be well-positioned to make an immediate impact.” 

The program was developed by Lassonde faculty in consultation with industry advisors and external reviewers, with a strong focus on real-world applications, industry relevance, and professional development. 

About 91��ɫ 

91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91��ɫ’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future. 

About Lassonde School of Engineering 

Located in the heart of the multicultural Greater Toronto Area, the   at 91��ɫ is home to engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs, representing a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners. With 14 undergraduate programs, eight graduate programs and a host of certificates and accessible study options, Lassonde is shaping the next generation of creators who tackle complex challenges and design solutions through interdisciplinary learning. Lassonde’s steady growth in programs, research and industry-connected learning is increasingly reflected in global rankings. Aerospace Engineering is ranked 32^nd globally and #1 in Canada for the second consecutive year (ShanghaiRanking 2025). Lassonde also contributes to 91��ɫ’s global standing in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science & Engineering, Computer Science & Information Systems, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical & Electronic Engineering across ShanghaiRanking, QS and Times Higher Education—reflecting the emergence of a recognized and growing AI research cluster and a strong foundation for training students to be a step ahead in an AI-powered world. 

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca 

The post 91��ɫ University’s Lassonde School of Engineering  launches first professional master’s degree  appeared first on News@91��ɫ.

TORONTO, June 18, 2026 – Despite growing competition, 91��ɫ has climbed 11 spots in the  released today. &�Բ�����;

It is the highest ranking the University has scored in more than a decade, showing its increasing leadership in academic and employment measures. Jumps in research measures included academic reputation, international research networks and citations per faculty member. 

91��ɫ scored 6th place across the country for employability of it graduates and nurturing future leaders for two consecutive years. Employers are noticing 91��ɫ’s talented and motivated students through the University’s growing offerings for co-ops, internships, placements and more. Two years after graduation, close to 90 per cent of graduates are employed. 

"These results are a testament to the talent and drive of our students and the creativity and dedication of our faculty, post-doctoral scholars and professional staff. Climbing 11 spots to our highest ranking in more than a decade reflects the exciting momentum building across 91��ɫ,” says Interim 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps. “With our leadership in transdisciplinary research and innovation, and growing partnerships with industry and community partners locally and globally, this is a university on the rise — and we are just getting started.” 

Across Canada 91��ɫ held onto its number 14 position for a second consecutive year. 

These rankings reflect the positive momentum and growth 91��ɫ is experiencing with major collaborative research initiatives, global partnerships, a dynamic innovation ecosystem, and new program offerings across disciplines, including preparations for opening its new School of Medicine in 2028 (subject to accreditation).  

It also shows the University’s expanding research capacity as it attracts additional highly talented faculty, post-doctoral scholars and students from diverse backgrounds. The University’s leadership in transdisciplinary research in areas of pressing need, such as socially responsible development of artificial intelligence solutions through its Connected Minds initiative, is also having a positive impact.   

Although an additional 400 institutions were evaluated this year and 1,504 were ranked, 91��ɫ moved up to 322 in the world from 333 last year. 

In other rankings &�Բ�����;

This is not the first good news from QS the University has received this year. 

91��ɫ also landed six subjects in the top 100 globally in the QS University Rankings by Subject, the most ever, reflecting its growing academic and employer reputation.��In addition to its top 100 Subject rankings in English, History, Performing Arts, Psychology, Social Policy & Administration, and Sociology, 91��ɫ had 12 additional subjects recognized among the top 300 in the world.��As a leader in sustainability, 91��ɫ placed in the top six per cent of universities internationally and in the top three per cent across Canada in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.�� 

91��ɫ was also placed in the top five among comprehensive universities in Canada in the Maclean’s national rankings, landing fourth for reputation and third for student scholarships and bursaries.  

The University placed in the top five among comprehensive universities in the 2025 Research Infosource Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities and took the top spot out of 13 comprehensive universities nationally in the social sciences and humanities (SSH) publications category.  

91��ɫ was nationally recognized for the 14th consecutive time as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the third year in a row. 

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When Kabeta Gemechis Kedir arrived in Canada from Ethiopia, he brought with him more than a determination to succeed, he brought a dream. He had already completed three years of university studies and was determined to finish the degree he had started back home, this time in Canada.

 Having arrived in Canada without any clear options available to him his future was in question. What had once seemed like a clear path toward an education was heading toward an abrupt end. "I thought my academic journey was over," recalls Gemechis.

What Gemechis did next was pivotal to pursuing his dream. He contacted 91��ɫ, and the aspiring student’s fortunes changed again, this time for the better. 91��ɫ first accepted his transfer credits from the postsecondary school in Ethiopia where he began his studies, allowing him to continue building on the work he had already completed. Following that, 91��ɫ accepted the student to its Sanctuary Scholars Program,  making it possible to continue his education.

91��ɫ is the first University in Canada to develop a pathway for students who hold precarious immigration status to access undergraduate degrees.

"91��ɫ didn't just open a door," he says. "They built a bridge for me."

In September 2023, he began his studies at . While grateful for the opportunity, the transition was not without challenges. Balancing work and academics, adapting to life in a new country, and coping with the distance from family often tested his resilience.

"There were days I doubted my choices," he says. What helped him persevere was the community he found at 91��ɫ. Student Accessibility Services provided accommodations that supported his success in the classroom. Advisors in Lassonde and the University's co-op team helped him navigate his academic and professional journey.

Beyond receiving support, he also found purpose in giving back. As a student mentor with the , he helped other students navigate their own university experiences while building meaningful connections across campus.

Through the guidance of dedicated faculty members, Gemechis found his calling in cybersecurity. "91��ɫ became my foundation," he says. "It's where I made lifelong friends from different backgrounds and where I found a true sense of belonging."

This spring, graduated from the Lassonde School of Engineering with a focus in cybersecurity – a milestone that represents far more than the completion of a degree, but the culmination of a dream.  For him, graduation is the end of a journey marked by perseverance, determination and the support of a community that believed in his potential.

Today, he looks toward the future with confidence, now a permanent resident of Canada and having already received a job offer in the field he is trained in. "Graduating isn't just an educational milestone," he says. "It's a personal triumph." "I thank God for everything that has happened in my life and I am proud to call 91��ɫ my school."

As he prepares for the next chapter, he carries with him not only the knowledge and skills gained at 91��ɫ, but also a deep appreciation for the opportunities that helped transform uncertainty into possibility.

The post From uncertainty to opportunity: Sanctuary scholarship helped new graduate realize his dream appeared first on News@91��ɫ.

Whether you call it soccer, football, le football, fútbol, futebol, fudbal, fußball, toba, nogomet or something else, it is the most global of sports, with FIFA having more member associations than the United Nations has member states. The largest and least affordable World Cup to date, FIFA World Cup 2026 is marred with its fair share of controversies. Still, for billions of people, it is the beautiful game, and the world will be watching. 

As the World Cup kicks-off for co-host Canada and former 91��ɫ Lion Niko Sigur makes his FIFA debut, sports marketing expert Vijay Setlur will be watching on from the stands. 

Specializing in sports and tourism, , a Schulich School of Business marketing instructor, will attend stadium games and follow Team Canada’s journey in Toronto, Vancouver and possibly beyond as Canada co-hosts the men’s FIFA World Cup tournament for the first time. Like the men’s Canadian team, this is Setlur’s third in-person World Cup experience: He previously attended South Africa 2010 and Qatar 2022. 

Setlur is available to discuss: 

• Business of FIFA World Cup 2026 including ticket sales, marketing, fan engagement activities, sponsorship activations, athlete endorsement deals, licensing and merchandising, broadcast coverage, media/broadcast innovations, technology
• Fan experience and fan culture including supporters, fan events, fan attire and costumes, rituals, customs and traditions
• Impact of the World Cup on Canada including economy, local businesses, sport participation, and Canadian sport industry
• Tourism impact including visitor economy and place branding
• Popular culture and FIFA World Cup including music, celebrity, art, fashion, film, food, and video gaming 
• Experience of travelling Canadian fans and the Canadian supporter experience, including support for Canada, activities, game preparations, rituals, attire and apparel

More interview opportunites:

• U.S. born Associate Prof. and Sport Management Program Coordinator Sarah Zipp is available to comment on Canada and U.S.'s contrasting World Cup host narratives.

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, and Markham Campus is home to 91��ɫ’s Sport Management program. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post Team Canada supporter and 91��ɫ marketing expert to follow CanMNT World Cup journey appeared first on News@91��ɫ.

Coach and ex-teammate from reigning men’s Canadian national university soccer champions describe Team Canada defender as passionate, focused

On Friday June 12, as 91��ɫ students don caps and gowns to attend their graduation ceremonies at the university’s Keele Campus, will be going through a different rite-of-passage, putting on cleats and the #23 jersey as he prepares for his FIFA World Cup debut for Team Canada.

One of three host countries in this World Cup, Canada will play their opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. It’s been said that of the billions of people who have walked the earth, only hundreds have had the pleasure of being part of the home team for a World Cup game, and Sigur, 22, will join the ranks of those very few.

For those who knew Sigur when he first came to Toronto at just 17 when COVID-19 dried up opportunities in Vancouver, and joined 91��ɫ in 2021, they knew that someway, somehow, Sigur would make it.

“He knew what he wanted from the beginning. His development here was about redefining who he was, recreating himself,” recalls longtime 91��ɫ Lions master soccer coach , who has helped the Lions capture six U SPORTS national championship banners and also has experience coaching with Canada Soccer. “There's something called competitive pace, competitive quickness, competitive will, and I think that’s what Niko exemplifies: the ability to make yourself better, to rise to the occasion.”

Born and raised in Burnaby, B.C. to Croatian parents, Sigur originally played for the Croatian National U21 team and was also part of the senior team, but made a one-time switch to Canada in 2023 when Coach Jesse Marsch rang up, and since then has started in 13 of 18 appearances for Canada and has scored two goals and two assists.

On the club level, Sigur plays for Croatia’s Hajduk Split. Frequently a starter where he quickly developed a strong reputation among the team’s heavily invested owner-supporters, it was friend and former 91��ɫ Lions teammate who helped Sigur pack his bags at Stong College and drove him from 91��ɫ to Pearson airport when Sigur got the call up to play in Europe in 2022.

“We see a lot of guys from Toronto go overseas, and they end up coming back in six months, 12 months, because it didn't work out,” says Casa. “But Niko fully told me, ‘Thank-you for being one of my closest friends during this time, I don't know if we'll ever see each other again.’ I was thinking in my head, ‘Nik, are you crazy? There’s social media, FaceTime. Dude.’”

A graduating student and one of the captains for the 91��ɫ Lions Men’s Soccer team, Casa and Sigur were both fresh out of high school when they met and became close very quickly.

“It was very obvious from the jump that Niko was the best freshman out of all of us,” recalls Casa. “He came in and started playing right away while the rest of us were fighting for fringe spots. I figured I'm a freshman, I'm going to take my time, maybe I'll play my second year, start in my third year. Niko was all about, ‘I want to do this now, I want to play now,’ so he pulled me along.”

They would train together before practice, always at Sigur’s insistence, and grab food at an Italian bakery near campus that suited Sigur’s dietary preferences and talk for hours, mostly about soccer. On weekends, Sigur would want to check out the other local universities’ games.

In his time at the Lions, Sigur helped take the team to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) finals in the 119th minute of the semis and making an earlier assist.

Noted for his versatility at Hajduk in playing right back and defensive midfield, this versatility came in handy for Marsch this week, who subbed in Sigur at left back after 31 minutes of play for teammate Moise Bombito, still recovering from injuries, in a friendly against Uzbekistan where Canada won 2-0.

“I know there's thousands of books written on grit and they try to put equations to all that, but kids like Niko are the reason these books are written,” says Isacco. “He's not the most overwhelming player physically, he's not the fastest, there were people who told him before that he wasn’t good enough, but that just motivated him to be stronger. You’ll find similar stories with everyone on the national team.”

As for the friendship of Sigur and Casa, they did, in fact, see each other again.

“It was last November, I remember I was walking off the field with the trophy in my hand, after we just won nationals in a snowstorm going into the change room, and a teammate from 2021 told me someone wanted to see me. I see some guy in a big hoodie and big jacket, all cold. I look over and it’s Niko. He watched the whole game but he didn’t message me beforehand,” says Casa. “It was a full circle moment, Niko was there for my first game at 91��ɫ, and my last.”

Carmine Isacco and Daniel Casa are available to talk to media about Niko Sigur’s time at 91��ɫ and the success of the 91��ɫ Lions Men’s Soccer team. For more on Sigur's time at 91��ɫ and player development, .

Isacco will be participating in an online webinar on June 10 hosted by 91��ɫ U Alumni and Friends called . Isacco will be participating along with 91��ɫ alumna, professional soccer player and activist Farkhunda Muhtaj and Association Football Club (AFC) Toronto CEO Helena Ruken. All are welcome to attend.

More World Cup interview opportunities:

• 91��ɫ Schulich School of Business sports marketing expert and Team Canada fan is following Team Canada’s World Cup journey. He is available for media interviews on the fan experience, ticket sales, etc.

• U.S. born Associate Professor and Sport Management Program Coordinator Sarah Zipp is available to comment on Canada and U.S.'s contrasting World Cup host narratives.��

• Bosnian Canadian Humanities Professor can speak to the historical and cultural significance of Bosnia-Herzegovina's World Cup journey, within the country and diaspora.
  
•  Faculty of Health Associate Professor can speak to ongoing research in Thorncliffe Park on FIFA World Cup 2026 and sport mega event impacts on marginalized youth.

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, and Markham Campus is home to 91��ɫ’s Sports Management program. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post Former 91��ɫ Lion Niko Sigur makes his World Cup debut appeared first on News@91��ɫ.

TORONTO, June 4, 2026 – A team led by 91��ɫ researchers has discovered the fastest wind near a supermassive black hole ever found at ultraviolet wavelengths, driven by the disc of matter, or quasar, surrounding the black hole. &�Բ�����;

“This quasar has a black hole of 1.7 billion times the mass of the Sun. That’s typical. What’s not typical is that it has gas moving towards us at 30 per cent of the speed of light,” says of the Faculty of Science.   &�Բ�����;

The , published by The American Astronomical Society. &�Բ�����;

The research team includes 91��ɫ graduate student and lead author Lucas Seaton, graduate student Marianna Veltri, and undergraduate student Zezhou Zhu, along with colleagues from the University of Washington Bothell and other members of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) collaboration.  

“This quasar, known as J2318 (Jay Twenty-Three Eighteen), can be found in the Great Square in the constellation of Pegasus,” says Seaton. “In terms of its speed, this quasar’s wind could be called a category 79 hurricane,” says Seaton. “Every category of hurricane is about 20 per cent faster than the category below it. Calling it category 79 gives an idea of just how fast it is, but of course this wind is unlike anything on Earth.” &�Բ�����; 

Astronomers have known for close to three decades that every large galaxy has a supermassive black hole at its centre, with a mass from millions to billions of times that of the Sun, although contrary to popular belief they do not eat everything in reach. Matter spiraling into one of these black holes forms a disc far bigger than Earth’s orbit around the Sun and hotter than the surface of the Sun. These discs of hot gas, called quasars, generate enough light to be seen across the observable universe and to drive winds from their surfaces.  

“In quasars, we often see winds of gas pushed away from the black hole by the light of the quasar,” says Seaton. “The wind in J2318 can be seen at ultraviolet wavelengths at velocities up to 30 per cent the speed of light. Even faster winds can be seen at x-ray wavelengths, but J2318 is the fastest ever discovered at ultraviolet wavelengths.”  

Unlike the differences in gas pressure that drive atmospheric winds on Earth, winds from quasars are pushed at least in part by light itself. Individual packets of light (called photons) bounce off or are absorbed by atoms in the gas and accelerate them.   

“Quasars put out so many photons that those tiny pushes add up to extreme velocities,” says Seaton. “The problem is, the photons can also remove all the electrons from the atoms, making them invisible. How to push the gas to the speeds we see while keeping the carbon and silicon ions we see intact… it’s quite a puzzle.”  

The discovery relied on data from two components of the SDSS, an international survey of the night sky to which hundreds of astronomers have contributed since its start in 1998, specifically, the SDSS-IV and the SDSS-V . Veltri flagged the quasar as potentially interesting in SDSS-V in 2023 while an undergrad student at 91��ɫ. After looking at it using software set up by Zhu, Hall realized it had an extremely fast wind.  

“Canada has a share of the eight-meter-diameter  (also known as Gemini North) in Hawai’i, and we immediately proposed observations with it. They succeeded in confirming its record-breaking wind velocity,” he says, adding that he often involves 91��ɫ undergraduates in research as part of his participation in the SDSS. &�Բ�����; 

He explains that “just as a rainbow spreads the Sun’s light into different wavelengths (colours), the SDSS spreads out the light from certain stars, galaxies, and quasars into what we call their ‘spectra’. From those spectra, with practice, students learn to spot unusual quasars. In the past, only PhD astronomers or graduate students studying for a PhD would have made a discovery like this, but the SDSS enables undergraduates to do so.”  

Study co-author, Associate Professor Paola Rodríguez Hidalgo of the University of Washington at Bothell, adds: “Both Patrick and I have been working together and with undergraduate students thanks to the SDSS Faculty and Students Team (FAST) initiative that supports these collaborations. Initiatives like this allow students to focus on research while finishing their undergraduate studies. These students will be the next generation of scientists and are already making scientific discoveries.”  

Co-author Liliana Flores, who worked with Professor Rodríguez Hidalgo as an undergraduate at UW Bothell and was a FAST participant, says she was thrilled to contribute to the study of this extreme outflow case. “I was in charge of fitting the absorption profiles in the quasar spectrum to determine their velocity and equivalent widths. Repeated observations revealed that the amount of absorbed light changes over time. Something in the wind conditions must be changing for that to happen.” &�Բ�����; 

Veltri assembled measurements of the brightness of the quasar from 20 years of surveys, starting with the original SDSS. That data shows that J2318 is slowly varying in brightness in a way indistinguishable from other quasars. Only by taking detailed measurements of spectra with SDSS was the wind in J2318 revealed.  

Rodríguez Hidalgo calls the discovery exciting. “These extreme outflows carry incredible amounts of energy that can affect the galaxies around them. They serve as a sort of missing link: the elusive feedback between the active central region of a galaxy and the rest of the galaxy. While this process has been included in simulations of galaxy formation for decades, a lot more work needs to be done to understand it from observations and make sure the simulations handle it correctly.”  

Searches are continuing for more extremely high velocity outflows from quasars, says Flores. “It won’t be easy to find a faster ultraviolet outflow than that of J2318, but we are continuing this search from the nearby universe to the most distant reaches of the universe that we can see.” 

Joint with: &�Բ�����;
Sloan Digital Sky Survey &�Բ�����;
University of Washington Bothell &�Բ�����;
The Pennsylvania State University (local only) &�Բ�����;

 &�Բ�����;

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TORONTO, June 2, 2026 – 91��ɫ and King Township signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to further enhance their collaboration, including economic growth initiatives and community engagement.

The MOU builds on the strength of the existing partnership between the Township and 91��ɫ by expanding and advancing shared initiatives and projects, research and innovation as well as fostering experiential learning and workforce professional development.

"91��ɫ is proud to deepen our partnership with King Township through this memorandum of understanding. Collaborations like this one are at the heart of who we are as an institution — connecting our students, faculty and researchers with the communities around us to create real, lasting impact,” says 91��ɫ Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps.

"Together, we look forward to advancing shared priorities in economic development, sustainability and experiential learning that will benefit both the King Township community and the next generation of 91��ɫ graduates.”

The collaboration includes developing community education and events, as well as coordinating capstone projects between the Township and 91��ɫ faculty and students for the benefit of both communities.

In addition, the partnership will promote sustainability and climate resilience through a variety of initiatives, special projects, as well as enhance joint education and community events to bolster shared interests.

“This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important milestone for King Township as we strengthen our partnership with 91��ɫ. It reflects a simple but meaningful idea — when municipalities and academic institutions work together, we can better serve our residents and tackle complex challenges in new ways,” says Mayor Steve Pellegrini, King Township.

"Through this partnership, we’re creating opportunities to apply research in practical ways, welcome students into meaningful, hands-on placements, and support the continued growth of our staff. By connecting 91��ɫ’s expertise with the needs of our growing community, we’re opening the door to collaboration that will benefit our residents, strengthen our workforce and support our local economy for years to come.”

The five-year MOU acts to not only formalize their long-standing and important relationship, but to allow it to flourish especially in priority areas with a commitment to excellence and community engagement.

About King Township

Lying in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, King Township is located within 91��ɫ Region, one of the fastest growing and diverse economies in Canada. More than 60 percent of the Holland Marsh, also known as Ontario’s salad bowl, lies within King Township. Though predominantly rural, most of King Township’s 29,800 residents live in the communities of King City, Nobleton and Schomberg. Residents and visitors are drawn to King because of its rural lifestyle, village atmosphere and quality of life. For more information visit us at king.ca.

About 91��ɫ

91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91��ɫ’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028. 91��ɫ was recently named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the 14th consecutive year. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

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June 1, 2026, TORONTO – Birthed from a 1969 uprising as a response to police violence at a New 91��ɫ City dive bar called the Stonewall Inn, Pride has grown into a global movement, with Toronto-area celebrations among the largest in the world. Drawing on years of community-engaged research and large-scale data sets, 91��ɫ researchers are available to talk to media about historical struggles and current issues facing those in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities today.

Antony Chum

  (he/him, they/them) is the Canada Research Chair in Population Health Data Science and an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health. His research focuses on LGBTQ+ health disparities and the structural determinants of health among marginalized populations, such as low-income, racialized, and gender-diverse groups. By applying quasi-experimental approaches to large-scale population datasets drawn from Census, linked health administrative, and international sources, Chum generates population-level evidence on how structural barriers and public policies shape health and related social and economic outcomes.

���ܳ�’s , "Beyond the Gender Binary: Wage Inequality and Occupational Segregation among Transgender and Nonbinary Workers," utilizes data from the 2021 Canadian Census, the first national census in the world to collect and identify data on transgender and nonbinary individuals. The study found significant employment and wage gaps, with transgender and nonbinary individuals being eight to 14 per cent less likely to be employed than cisgender men and earn 20 to 30 per cent lower hourly wages on average. Even after adjusting for demographic, occupational, and industrial factors, a substantial earnings gap remains, hitting nonbinary individuals assigned female at birth the hardest.

Chum is available to discuss other studies including:

• Upcoming research that demonstrates that progressive political environments act as crucial protective factors, actively mitigating the minority stress that drives elevated rates of suicidality and substance use in sexual minority populations
• Gender minorities facing drastically higher risks for physical, cognitive, and mental activity limitations
• Transgender and non-binary individuals facing significantly higher rates of housing instability than cisgender individuals
• Severe disparities in severe substance-related events, pinpointing bisexual women as facing the highest risk (more than double that of heterosexual women)

Jin Haritaworn

is an expert of gay imperialism, homonationalism and pinkwashing. They have studied the gentrification and securitization of the Church-Wellesley Village and look critically at the incorporation of Pride into the neoliberal city. They also explore queer of colour maps and counter-archives. Haritaworn is Associate Professor of Gender, Race and Environment in the Faculty of Environment and Urban Change. They locate their work in the tradition of activist scholarship, which attempts to be in the service of communities. Their research deals with landscapes that are shaped by racial and colonial capitalism, where celebration and incorporation exist alongside pathologization and criminalization. Their first two books, and , explore how certain mixed-race and LGBT subjects became desirable in a context of war on terror, neoliberal multiculturalism and the global city in London and Berlin.

Haritaworn is available to discuss:

• Gentrification and criminalization in the Village
• Queer of colour archives and activism
• Homonationalism and gay imperialism

Tom Hooper

(he/him) is a historian of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Canada and a professor with the department of equity studies in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS). His research includes exploring the 1981 bathhouse raids in Toronto where more than three hundred gay men were arrested and criminally charged for their sexuality, with a focus on the community resistance to these raids both on the streets and in the courts. Hooper critically examined the construction of dominant queer historical narratives, including the myth that legal changes in 1969 represented the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. Hooper also investigated the use and misuse of heritage grants provided to 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations.

Hooper is available to comment on:

• 2SLGBTQIA+ protest movements
• Policing and pride
• 2SLGBTQIA+ history

Nick Mulé

(he/him) is a professor in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies and the School of Social Work, LA&PS. He teaches sexual activism, and social justice. His research areas include advocacy, and the social inclusion — and exclusion — of gender and and sexually diverse populations (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, two-spirit, genderqueer, intersex, queer, questioning – 2SLGBTQIA+) in social policy and service provision and the degree of recognition of these populations as distinct communities in cultural, systemic and structural contexts. Mulé also engages in critical analysis of the 2SLGBTQIA+ movement and the development of queer liberation theory. Mulé is currently leading a national research project on poverty in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, the first national study of its kind.

Mulé is available to comment on:

• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex and queer issues
• Queer liberation theory
• 2SLGBTQIA+ health and social service concerns, public and social policy regarding 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities
• History and politics of the 2SLGBTQIA+ movement
• Diversity in society and 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights

For information on Pride celebrations at 91��ɫ, please see here.

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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