Why Three 91亚色 Professors Left Trump鈥檚 America for Toronto and 91亚色

For the May issue of Toronto Life, on newsstands this week, professors , and sat down with the publication to discuss their reasons for moving north and their journeys to 91亚色. "What they all share is a deep desire to work in a country that values their contributions," of the academics, lawyers, scientists, creatives and other luminaries featured in the issue. Another thing the subjects all share is that they have relocated from the U.S. to Toronto since President Donald Trump first emerged on the American political scene. "We鈥檙e lucky to have them," wrote the magazine.

Robert Gehl, associate professor, Communication & Media Studies, LA&PS

Compelled by the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and, 17 months later, the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal on Roe v. Wade, Professor Robert Gehl and his family considered their options. As a Fulbright Scholar, Gehl had spent time in Calgary and had met a small network of Canadian academics in media and communications, including alumni from 91亚色. "There鈥檚 a critical edge to the Canadian understanding of media," . "There are several reasons for that 鈥� an obvious one is Canada鈥檚 relationship to the U.S. media machine. There鈥檚 a long history of Canadian work in the field, going back to Marshall McLuhan." Given his area of study, the move to Toronto and 91亚色 felt natural.

I think Toronto media studies is the best in the world, and being part of it is so cool.

Robert Gehl, associate professor of communication and media studies

Gehl, who is the Ontario Research Chair in Digital Governance for Social Justice at 91亚色, has long studied activist-run alternative social media platforms and has a forthcoming book about the subject. "This area of research was lonely work for many years 鈥� I鈥檓 one of the few people in the world who have extensively studied it," he told the magazine," but younger scholars are getting involved now, and I鈥檓 fostering that."

Jack Rozdilsky, associate professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, LA&PS

After President Trump secured the Republican nomination in 2016, Professor Jack Rozdilsky applied to 91亚色. "It was clear that dark clouds were gathering," . He moved to Toronto three months before Trump was elected. Since then, he's watched from afar the impacts of Trump's first and, now, second term affect his field. "Recently, there鈥檚 been talk of gutting FEMA, which would be disastrous for public safety," he tells the mag. At 91亚色, he can focus on building a better, more resilient future for his field through education and advocacy, he said. Through his contributions to , his ideas and research have also found a larger audience.

Still, there's always more work to do. "Emergency management isn鈥檛 just about preparing for rare worst-case scenarios 鈥� it鈥檚 becoming part of everyday life," he told the magazine. "This fall, 91亚色 is launching Canada鈥檚 first PhD program in disaster and emergency management, a clear sign of how rapidly the field is expanding. The academic interest reflects a broader reality: disasters are happening more often."

I鈥檓 helping to train the next generation of emergency managers, people who will go on to work in policing, fire services and public safety

Jack Rozdilsky, associate professor of disaster and emergency management

This week, Rozdilsky is back stateside to present on concert safety and security at a Taylor Swift symposium alongside 91亚色 grad student Talia Shortt.

Anne Sullivan, assistant professor, Computational Arts, AMPD

Professor Anne Sullivan was teaching at Georgia Tech when Trump-aligned state representatives in Congress asked public universities to provide them with the names of everyone who worked on a DEI committee, did research in or taught DEI, or was affected by DEI measures. Sullivan, who was doing research in social justice and DEI storytelling in games, found herself on that list. "It eventually became clear that funding for my work could be reduced or even eliminated," .

Then, last year, she received an email from a recruiter at 91亚色. The Connected Minds research-enhanced appointment was "an unheard of perfect fit," said Sullivan. "In games, we would call this an 'uninteresting decision' 鈥� the right choice was obvious!" Sullivan started at 91亚色 in January, and, while still new to the city, is excited by its promise and potential.

"Toronto should be a hub for gaming talent of all kinds 鈥� it鈥檚 one of the most multicultural places in the world, and there鈥檚 a very active indie game development community here. So we鈥檙e uniquely well situated to become a global leader by leveraging the strengths the city already has," Sullivan told the magazine. "Gaming attracts consumers of different ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds, but the industry itself is typically dominated by creators who are white and male. Our department鈥檚 faculty at 91亚色 is diverse, and one of my goals is to encourage more women and people from underrepresented backgrounds to study gaming and work in the field."

My belief in equity wasn鈥檛 something I could easily shut off or hide

Anne Sullivan, assistant professor of computational arts

Since arriving at 91亚色, Sullivan has begun a research project on civic engagement among younger generations, exploring how elements of game design can be used to promote political discussions, community involvement, and voting.

The post 'True tales from the brain gain': 91亚色 profs share their stories with Toronto Life magazine appeared first on News@91亚色.

Professor Kinnon MacKinnon's pursuit of through the DARE study research is highlighted in The New 91亚色 Times.

Professor Patricia Lakin-Thomas talks to The Jerusalem Post about daylight saving time and ongoing concerns about its impact on public health. Lakin-Thomas says Daylight Saving Time is shown to contribute to higher numbers of car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and workplace injuries. The time is long overdue to , she adds.

In an op-ed for The Conversation, Professor Jack L. Rozdilsky gives public safety tips to Swifties attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which has six shows in Toronto starting Nov. 14. Toronto's mayor has expressed confidence that the shows will be safe, and that comprehensive security measures will be in place. "In addition to preparing for fun, spend a little time considering concert safety tips which stress situational awareness," writes Rozdilsky. " If something does not seem right to you, it probably is not right." Rozdilsky is also quoted in an article about published in The Week.

If you see something, say something. If something does not seem right to you, it probably is not right.

Rozdilsky writes in The Conversation

Ontario grocery stores are saying the new bottle return requirements may make it impossible to participate in Premier Doug Ford's expansion of alcohol sales. Sebastian Prins, the director of government relations for the Ontario section of the Retail Council of Canada, says the majority of the larger stores are planning to add alcohol sales at locations within five kilometres of a Beer Store, meaning they aren't obligated to accept empties right away. The Canadian Press reports that Prins is working with a to assess the costs and logistics.

Professor Dennis Pilon weighs in on a聽report shelved by Mayor Oliva Chow that recommended Toronto city councillors receive a raise of more than 22 per cent to bring them in line with other municipalities. He says it's important for elected officials to earn "sufficient" salaries to compensate them for their work and ensure that it's not only the rich who can afford to run for office. However, Pilon says that councillors voting on whether to increase their own pay . Professor Joe Mihevc, who served on council for nearly three decades until 2018, tells Toronto Star that councillors are "absolutely" underpaid, estimating that between city hall meetings on weekdays, and community events on evenings and weekends, most regularly work 12-hour days. In a separate op-ed on the subject, Mihevc writes about why politicians deserve a pay raise. "Residents need to know when they are to both work long and often difficult hours and then also to accept a smaller salary," writes Mihevc for Toronto Star. In an article for CBC, Mihevc weighs in on聽the mayor facing political and economic challenges as the city puts together its 2025 budget. He says to balance the books next year.

Professor Robert Savage comments on a new survey that found university students studying to become teachers could correctly answer only 60 per cent of the questions on phonics. Savage says the results show a structural issue across institutions. 鈥� So, it clearly does have impacts,鈥� he says.

Professor Sean Tulin weighs in on dark matter which may account for roughly聽85 percent of the universe's mass.聽The case for the existence of dark matter goes back to the 1930s when astronomers analyzed the rates at which galaxies rotate and found there isn't enough visible matter to account for the observed spin rates.聽For the last few decades, the leading theory has been that this unseen substance is made up of weakly interacting massive particles or WIMPs.聽"," Tulin tells Smithsonian Magazine.

Daydreaming in the Solar System: Surfing Saturn鈥檚 Rings, Golfing on the Moon, and Other Adventures in Space Exploration, a new book by professors John E. Moores and Jesse Rogerson invites readers to take a voyage through space with a "behind the science" look at what's possible. 鈥淲e paired really interesting places with really weird things to be doing there,鈥� Rogerson tells CTV News. 鈥�, that was sort of a natural one because a human has golfed on the moon before. Mars has really interesting clouds, so we have cloud watching like you鈥檙e at a picnic. We imagine what it would be like to be doing a cave dive on this moon of Saturn. It was totally an imagination run wild where we were imagining ourselves, or some astronaut, doing some weird activity in some weird place and how the physics of the place would affect the activity.鈥�

Alumna Hortense Anglin, 87, received a standing ovation from guests and fellow graduates on Oct. 17 as she walked across the stage to receive her bachelor's and was congratulated by the platform party at 91亚色's in-person fall convocation. CP24 about her experience as a mature student, and CTV News wrote about .

Do you have a new research study or an academic achievement to share? Contact media@yorku.ca with details. For daily 91亚色 in the News highlights, follow on X.

The post 91亚色 expert Kinnon MacKinnon is featured in the New 91亚色 Times, and more appeared first on News@91亚色.

Professor Afshin Rezaei-Zare discusses the 1859 geomagnetic storm, and others that have followed.聽Geomagnetic storms are often linked to a "mesmerizing display" of the northern lights but聽carry the potential to wreak havoc on our modern technological infrastructure.聽Rezaei-Zare聽leads a program that received a $1.65-million grant to help mitigate their potential impacts in Canada and the world. "Perhaps most concerning is ," Rezaei-Zare tells Toronto.com. "Modern electrical grids, satellite systems, and communication networks are highly vulnerable to the massive GICs such storms produce."

In an op-ed for The Conversation, Professor Jack L. Rozdilsky writes about the challenges facing recovery from the Jasper Complex Wildfire, which burned an estimated 32,722 hectares in July. Visiting the site as a researcher and to observe recovery efforts, he describes the "" of structures littering the charred landscape and how clean-up efforts will be complicated by snowfall. "Despite best efforts being made, if large tracts of disaster debris become frozen in place over winter, such a situation will impede recovery progress in 2025," writes Rozdilsky.

Professor Joe Mihevc, who served on Toronto City Council for nearly 30 years, comments on the city collecting resident feedback on the 2025 city budget through an online survey. Mihevc says Toronto needs to look for new revenue streams to pay for the priorities identified by residents. Mihevc tells CBC that , like continuing to ask the federal government to help cover the cost of shelters used by refugees or lobbying the province to cover the health and housing costs associated with growing homelessness.

Professor Ian Stedman writes about the looming federal election campaign, accountability, transparency and ethics for The Conversation. "Regardless of which party holds power, a striking flaw in Canada's political ethics framework is ," writes Stedman. "Ethics issues must be kept in public view and political parties should be pressured to offer meaningful reform ideas in their campaign and party platforms."

Ahead of Wednesday's Liberal caucus meeting where some MPs were expected to confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his dropping popularity, Professor Dennis Pilon spoke to CityNews . He says that聽the Liberals have traditionally been less focused on rules around leadership reviews than other parties.

Professor Valerie Ann Preston talks to Toronto Star about a report by Statistics Canada that found international students and temporary foreign workers are paying more in monthly rent than Canadian-born tenants living in the same metropolitan areas. When differences were adjusted for neighbourhood, type of home and household size, international students paid less for shelter but temporary foreign workers still pay more than Canadian-born tenants. " because the rent premium for temporary farm workers persists even after you control for neighbourhood and you control for welling characteristics," says Preston. She adds that individuals in both groups tend to be newer to Canada with less knowledge about local rental markets, which puts them at a disadvantage. International students and temporary foreign workers are also primarily short-term renters. "Housing where you get international students and temporary foreign workers living is also housing that comes back on the market more often," she says. "The rents rise every time it becomes vacant."

91亚色's Markham Campus is prioritizing experiential education through its innovative biotechnology programs. Two standout offerings are the master of biotechnology management and graduate diploma in biotechnology programs. Dan Palermo, the interim deputy provost says the campus was designed to offer students hands-on learning experiences and aligns with the university's broader goal of . "This is what students are asking for," Palermo tells 91亚色Region.com. "It prepares them more effectively for the workforce."

Do you have a new research study or an academic achievement to share? Contact media@yorku.ca with details. For daily 91亚色 in the News highlights, follow on X.

The post 91亚色 experts on solar storms, forest fires, the city's budget, ethics in politics, and more appeared first on News@91亚色.

Now a prominent academic, 91亚色's Faculty of Education Jean Augustine Chair reflects on experiences of Black community in 1970s Toronto

It was at the now-closed Brockton High School near the new Dufferin Mall on what was then called Awde Street, where a young Carl James met with other community organizers on a September Saturday. That morning they launched the Caribbean Alliance Council (CAC) and that evening they celebrated with dinner and dance at the Soul Palace Restaurant, just north of what is now Sankofa Square.

Like other Black immigrants of his generation from Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands, James came to Canada in the post-1967 period after the state had removed race-based immigration restrictions.

While pursuing his education, James engaged in youth work, volunteering with organizations such as the Black Education Project. Located just north of Davenport on Bathurst, James describes the organization as 鈥渃entral鈥� to the education experiences of Black parents and students at the time. He also worked with Harriet Tubman Centre at St. Clair and Oakwood, which still operates today as the Harriet Tubman Community Centre close to Don Mills subway.

鈥淚 was at the time going through school, volunteering and working with the other volunteers 鈥� an adolescent working with younger Black adolescents,鈥� recalls James. 鈥淚 came to the work that I do through working on issues of Black life. The situation that I was observing and trying to understand with regard to Black youth informed my work.鈥�

Later, he worked in Regent Park, a neighbourhood located in Toronto鈥檚 east downtown that鈥檚 now a mix of condominiums and social housing. Back then it was exclusively a public housing project 鈥� Canada鈥檚 first and largest. Many of the youth with whom James worked saw their participation in sports as the key to their future success and were not often going into academic areas because of streaming practices in their schools. 

This inspired his early research at 91亚色. Today, James is a prominent academic who has dedicated his career to studying some of the very issues he first observed and experienced four decades earlier.

鈥淚'd been noticing that the education and schooling system had not been as helpful in educating or schooling Black immigrant students as we would have expected,鈥� recalls James. 鈥淭hat happens today; and happened then. So, I'm very interested in, well, 鈥楬ow can this change? If over and over again, we keep finding and seeing the same thing, what have we not been doing to change the situation?鈥欌��

In addition to being a professor in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Education and an author of many books on race, education and immigration, James currently serves as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora.

His 2017 report highlighted the systemic racism Black students face in GTA schools. This work helped to bring about an end to academic and applied streaming for Grade 9 students in Ontario, a decision that was announced in 2020.

Current include community outreach, such as the Day at 91亚色 programming that helps Black high-school students see themselves in post-secondary, the Jean Augustine Mentorship program that pairs Black students at 91亚色 with those entering the university, and Word, Sound, Power, a free annual event that takes place during Black History Month with dance, music and spoken word performances. It also includes partnerships with Black researchers across Canada that will serve to create better data on race and education, and collaborations with health science researchers looking at the health conditions and needs of Black individuals.

James is also , commenting on recent news headlines from the renaming of Dundas Square, to new rules banning the N-word from use at several school boards, diversity in the city鈥檚 emergency services, and the provincial government mandating Black history in the Ontario curriculum.

However, it is not about him, James insists, nor the research, but working in the interest of community and using advocacy work to address and bring about the wider changes needed.

鈥淚t is not about research for research鈥檚 sake, but to inform action,鈥� says James. 鈥淐ommunity is often a central feature for those who have been marginalized. Of course, I think you can鈥檛 think of someone independent of their communities. And I'm thinking of communities not only in geographic terms, but as ethnic communities, gendered communities, class communities, and how all these might be operating in individuals鈥� lives.鈥�

I'd been noticing that the education and schooling system had not been as helpful in educating or schooling Black immigrant students as we would have expected. That happens today; and happened then."

Professor Carl James, commenting on his early experiences working with youth in Regent Park

James adds that community is often a central construct of how Black youth imagine their future lives.

鈥淵ou might find them highly represented in social services, social sciences, and education because they are 鈥榞iving back鈥� to community,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hey feel an obligation to respond to the needs of the community that has supported them. So, it's understandable that Jean would think that community is central to the work that鈥檚 been done through the Chair and for the Chair to engage community.

鈥淓ssentially, the idea is for us to work with community, and invite them to do the needed education work together.鈥�

One of his current research projects looks at how individuals鈥� social capital 鈦犫�撯仩 racialized individuals in particular 鈦犫�撯仩 mediates access to employment, careers and occupational mobility once they land a job. Like much of James鈥檚 other work, the study follows research participants over a number of years, with a particular focus on periods of transition.

鈥淚'm very interested in the differences between transitioning through high school to college and/or university, or from university to college, and to work,鈥� says James. 鈥淎ll those permutations are very useful to look into in order to capture the ways in which young people are navigating life and negotiating the world around them.鈥�

The Chairship is of course named after Jean Augustine, Canada鈥檚 first Black woman Member of Parliament, who made the motion that was unanimously passed in the House of Commons in 1995 for Black History Month to be officially recognized in Canada. She later established the Chair in her name at 91亚色. James became the second Chair after the role was restructured and reimagined from the original framing of 鈥楨ducation in the New Urban Environment,鈥� which was held by . Thanks to a combination of a $1.5 million gift from the federal government and grassroots funding, the Chair is now fully endowed. (Her actual, physical chair, that she once sat in as an MP, now sits in the Dean鈥檚 Office at the Faculty of Education). 

James鈥� initial connections with Augustine go back to his early years in Toronto and their mutual involvement in community organizations such as the CAC.

Some documentation of this can be found in the Jean Augustine collection hosted through the at 91亚色鈥檚 Scott Library, such as a letter regarding the founding meeting, written and signed off by James on behalf of Augustine, then the secretary of the CAC. At that meeting, James asked the group about working with high school students and recommended a summer research project looking into the experiences of immigrant children from local communities.

James is being celebrated in two pieces of art this Black History Month 鈥� one by 91亚色 alumni Robert Small as part of the Legacy Collection, and the other by Mya Salau as part of this year鈥檚 Toronto Transit Commission鈥檚 (TTC) Black History Month campaign, Salau鈥檚 piece can be seen on an oversized mural at the 91亚色 TTC subway station, a wrap on Bus #3349 that operates on various lines deployed from the Queensway Garage, and on subways across the city.

A lot has transpired in the decades since James began his work, but it was in those early experiences with Black communities in Toronto that set him on his life path.

鈥淚 always say, suppose I never worked with those downtown youth. Would I have been able to think of the questions I have today?鈥� he reflects. 鈥淪uppose they never answered my questions, or even sat with me for half an hour to share their experiences.

鈥淪o, while I look earnestly at the people who have worked with me, and given me mentorship, I have to also remember the research participants or even those who just simply entertained my conversations and my questions to think through more of what I might want to eventually contribute to life.鈥�

James is not the only member of the 91亚色 community to be celebrated by the TTC as part of Black History Month. Honorary Doctor of Laws degree recipient Itah Sadu, is also featured in a mural at Bathurst station.

Jean Augustine's story teaches us about Canada's domestic workers鈥� scheme

Augustine had come to Canada as a domestic worker from Grenada during a time of political upheaval in her home country, with Grenada achieving independence in 1974. These early days are documented in the hosted through the Clara Thomas Archives at 91亚色鈥檚 Scott Library located at Keele Campus.

The first item in the archive is a pamphlet entitled Advice to West Indian Women Recruited for Work in Canada as Household Helps. A lot of the space in the pamphlet is devoted to advice on what behaviour is expected: Be truthful, courteous and polite at all times in your dealings with your employer and their children; unmarried women who get pregnant in their first year could be deported and may never be able to return.

鈥淭he women who have been sent to Canada in previous years have not let down West Indian womanhood and it is confidently expected that you will do the same,鈥� a passage reads.

The pamphlet also contains practical advice on life in Canada: While it is easy to get credit, it is also easy to get in trouble with it if you can鈥檛 keep up with payments; bring warm clothes, but no more than is needed as it will be cheaper to purchase winter clothes after you arrive; if your lips get chapped, try Vaseline or Camphor Ice.

There are warnings of 鈥渦seless correspondence courses,鈥� especially in nursing, that will take large sums of money, but won鈥檛 be of any use either in Canada or back home.

Canada needed more immigrants in the post WWII period when Europeans were staying home, and it was in that context that the Canadian government allowed workers from certain territories in the West Indies entry to Canada beginning in 1955, and the total lifting of race-based immigration restrictions in 1967. Caribbean domestics came to Canada to take care of other people鈥檚 children so those people could go to work, explains James. And people like Augustine who were teachers back home, not only provided domestic duties, but also the socialization of Canadian children.

鈥淏eyond simply thinking of Jean coming here and becoming a Parliamentarian, what does Jean's story also tell us about Canada? To me, it's a big or national story,鈥� reflects James.

鈥淗er story represents Canada鈥檚 relationship with the Caribbean, and Caribbean women鈥檚, and people鈥檚 contributions to the social, cultural, economic and political development of Canada. Her story is important; and there are many things we can learn from it.鈥�

Members of the 91亚色 community and public can access the Jean Augustine collection by appointment by contacting the Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections at archives@yorku.ca.

The post Becoming Professor Carl James appeared first on News@91亚色.

The post Researchers highlight data gaps in cyclist, pedestrian incidents on Toronto streets appeared first on News@91亚色.

The post Pedestrian and cyclist injuries in Toronto underreported: 91亚色 study appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, ON, January 15, 2024 鈥� Cycling and pedestrian injuries are severely underrepresented by police data, particularly those not involving a motor vehicle,  believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.

The study, led by 91亚色 and ICES in collaboration with a researcher from Toronto Metropolitan University, analyzed Toronto Police Service (TPS) data and health administrative data from ICES. 

The researchers found more than 30,000 emergency department (ED) visits for all cyclist injuries between 2016 and 2021 from health services data, which includes both injuries sustained from motor vehicle collisions (MVC) and non-MVC. In contrast, TPS data captured 2,362 minor, major and fatal cyclist injuries for all cyclist collisions, representing only eight per cent of ED visits.

Police generally only attend injuries sustained when there is a motor vehicle involved; however, the study found a large proportion of cyclist injuries that don鈥檛 involve a motor vehicle, especially since the pandemic. Of the total hospital admissions for cycling injuries, more than 80 per cent were from non-MVC.

Police data estimates improved when the data was limited to cyclist-MVC and pedestrian injuries. For pedestrians, the police data represented 54 per cent of ED visits and 48 per cent of hospitalizations, and injuries decreased across all data sets since 2020.

"This suggests that using police data alone won鈥檛 provide city planners with an accurate number of cyclists and pedestrians injured on city streets," says lead author , professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at 91亚色 and senior adjunct scientist at ICES. "This emphasizes the need for linked health services data and police data to inform planning for road safety."  

The study authors note that since the police data and health services data were not linked, a detailed analysis and comparison between the data sets was not possible. Future work to link these data would allow for a better understanding of which injuries are being missed by police data, demographics of the individuals, and locations where collisions are occurring.

鈥淭he high rates of serious cycling injuries that don鈥檛 involve motor vehicles may point to changes that are needed in the built environment,鈥� says senior author Linda Rothman, assistant professor for the School of Occupational and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University. 鈥淭his could include roadway and cycle track maintenance or necessary upgrades to off-road trails and pathways.鈥�

This study was an Applied Health Research Question (AHRQ) requested by the City of Toronto, and they are using the results to plan road safety changes, including to cycling infrastructure that is not on the roadway. Two other regions in Ontario have recently requested the same data to inform their planning.

The study, 鈥淎 comparison of the number of pedestrian and cyclist injuries captured in police data compared to health service utilization data in Toronto, Canada 2016-2021鈥� was published inInjury Prevention.

Authors: Macpherson AK, Zagorski B, Saskin R, Howard AW, Harris MA, Namin S, Rothman L.

The post 91亚色 prof leads new study finding Toronto police data underreports cyclist and pedestrian injuries appeared first on News@91亚色.

The post Remembering the Toronto flood of 2013 appeared first on News@91亚色.

More than 200 photos and videos document resident experiences and perceptions on issues, such as access

TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2022 鈥� Racialized residents could face structural and systemic barriers to accessing, using and navigating Toronto鈥檚 greenspaces, say the authors of a new report led by 91亚色.

The report, Park Perceptions and Racialized Realities: Exploring the experiences of racialized residents in two Toronto neighbourhoods, offers several recommendations toward making the city鈥檚 public greenspaces more welcoming to racialized and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.

91亚色 PhD Candidate Nadha Hassen led the participatory research project with Professor , both of the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, in collaboration with , and the .

The report will launch on Friday, Aug. 12, at an exhibit of photographs by 18 racialized residents and photographers from either the Jane and Finch or St. James Town areas who participated in the project. The event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Corner Commons, Jane-Finch Mall Parking Lot, 1911 Finch Ave. W., Toronto.

The photographers took photos with a view to access, safety, health and well-being across various Toronto greenspaces identifying structural and systemic barriers to accessing and navigating the spaces.

鈥淭ogether, we collected more than 200 photos and videos documenting resident experiences and capturing perceptions on issues like access, safety, inclusivity, and mental health and well-being,鈥� says Hassen. 鈥淭here were more than 55 online discussions to debrief those experiences and share perspectives on what it means to navigate and use public greenspaces in Toronto as racialized people.鈥�

Some of the other key themes include belonging and social connection; exclusion; right to play and children鈥檚 recreation; maintenance inequities; and gentrification and complex use of space.

鈥淒iscussions about greenspaces were an entry point to examining broader issues and barriers faced by racialized residents,鈥� says Flicker, 91亚色 research chair in community-based participatory research. 鈥淢any of the experiences tran颅scend the two represented neighbourhoods as they are common to others living in underserved, margin颅alized and racialized neighbourhoods across Toronto.鈥�

The communities of Jane and Finch and St. James Town are extremely diverse and are home to many low-income racialized newcomers from various parts of the world. Resident photographers from both communities shared how greenspaces in their neighbourhoods can enable people of all races, ages and diverse backgrounds to have fun and interact, while providing opportunities for connection, enjoyment, peace, mental relief and belonging.

At the same time, they describe experiences of unspoken racism, prejudice, stigmatization and lack of safety, as well as barriers to inclusion and feeling like they don鈥檛 belong.

Key recommendations identified by residents include:

鈥� Prioritizing equitable access to high-quality greenspaces in racialized neighbourhoods

鈥� Ensuring the inclusion and maintenance of amenities that racialized residents are asking for

鈥� Directing resources equitably

鈥� Ensuring accountability by evaluating and tracking greenspace changes

鈥� Winterizing outdoor public greenspaces and creating more free indoor community spaces that can be accessed during the cold season

鈥� Improving safety for all, particularly for racialized women

-30-

91亚色 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 success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future. 

Media Contact:

Sandra McLean, 91亚色 Media Relations, 416-272-6317, sandramc@yorku.ca

The post Toronto greenspaces create structural and systemic barriers for racialized residents appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, Dec. 1, 2021 鈥� 91亚色 is re-imagining more than 190 acres of land on its campus on Keele Street in Northwest Toronto. Yesterday, 91亚色鈥檚 Board of Governors approved 鈥�Living Well Together: Keele Campus Vision and Strategy,鈥� a foundational document that sets a clear path forward and delivers on 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to create positive change.

Centered on 91亚色鈥檚 University Academic Plan 2020鈥�25: Building a Better Future and the City of Toronto鈥檚 91亚色 Secondary Plan, Living Well Together is framed as a response to the Call for Action to strengthen our impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

鈥淎 21st century university campus has an important role to play as an anchor institution 鈥� as a hub, as a resource for surrounding communities, and as a place to learn and grow,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淭his is a once in a lifetime chance to envision, shape and develop a university campus inspired by the future of higher education, the newly evolving organization of work post-pandemic, the diverse communities with whom we work, and our commitment to sustainability. It will enhance our efforts to strengthen the student learning experience; support new programs in emerging areas of need; and intensify research, entrepreneurship, and incubation, while also advancing community needs. I am looking forward to moving this exciting plan forward.鈥�

Living Well Together begins with the reinvigoration of the Harry W. Arthurs Common, the location of 91亚色 station on the new Yonge-University Subway line, as well as the development of four new neighbourhoods within the Keele Campus including: a commercial centre; a high-tech district; a primarily residential district; and a second residential, commercial, and athletic neighbourhood closer to the Pioneer Village station, located in the Northwest section of the Keele Campus.

The approval of Living Well Together officially marks the beginning of the next stage of community consultation and engagement, which is expected to commence in 2022.

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 success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

For more information: Barbara Joy, Director, Media Relations and External Communications, barbjoy@yorku.ca 416-333-3374

The post 91亚色 launches plan to reimagine Keele Campus: Living Well Together appeared first on News@91亚色.