(91亚色 PhD 2005) is Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Global Women鈥檚 Issues. She is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada鈥檚 College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. Professor Baruah specializes in interdisciplinary research at the intersections of gender, economy, environment, and development; gender and work; and social, political, and economic inequality. Her current research aims to understand how to ensure that a global low-carbon economy will be more gender-equitable and socially just than its fossil-fuel-based predecessor. She has published one book, Women and Property in Urban India, (University of British Columbia Press 2010) and more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, encyclopedia entries, working papers, policy briefs and professional reports, in journals like World Development, Feminist Economics, Development in Practice, Water Policy, and Labor Studies. Her work can be found .

In her presentation at the Centre for Feminist Research at 91亚色, 鈥淕ender Equality In Low Carbon Economies: Continuities, Contradiction, Disruptions鈥�, 91亚色 alumni and Canada Research Chair Bipasha Baruah observes that, 鈥淕lobally, women represent only 22 per cent of the oil and gas industry and 32 per cent of the renewable energy workforce. Women are particularly underrepresented in the energy sector in jobs that require science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) training (28 per cent) compared to non-STEM technical jobs (35 per cent) and administrative positions (45 per cent).鈥� For Baruah, this underrepresentation is not only a problem but an opportunity, as nations around the world are confronted with the urgent need to re-orient the energy sector for environmental sustainability. In developed, emerging and developing economies, the energy sector can be transformed to support more sustainable energy -- and better jobs and more equity for women.

This is true in the developed nations, like Canada, where skill shortages in the renewable energy sector are a challenge but, Professor Baruah emphasizes, also an opportunity, 鈥渢o train, recruit and promote women, Indigenous peoples, new immigrants, workers with disabilities, and other groups that have historically been marginalized in the energy sector.鈥� This requires support for women to obtain degrees and diplomas in the better-paid science and technology fields, for instance, but also more flexibility for women who take maternity and parental leave to return to work and mandatory quotas for women in upper management and administrative positions. 

Developing nations face their own challenges in the energy transition, but some offer useful models for ways forward for the rest of the world. In a chapter with Rabia Ferroukhi and Celia Garc铆a-Ba帽os L贸pez published in 2021, 鈥淕lobal Trends in Women鈥檚 Employment in Renewable Energy,鈥� Professor Baruah and her colleagues point to Zambia鈥檚 gender-transformative approach as one helpful example. 鈥淶ambia鈥檚 National Energy Policy identifies measures to mainstream gender considerations in all energy access programs鈥� they observe, 鈥渁nd highlights the role of women not only as beneficiaries but as also active energy providers and entrepreneurs within the sector.鈥� They conclude that 鈥淭his is a good example of a[n]鈥pproach that views women not simply as primary end users and beneficiaries, but as actors in the design and delivery of energy solutions.鈥澨�

If the energy transition to sustainable industries is necessary and urgent, Professor Baruah鈥檚 work is a reminder that there is hope in this transition for creating a more gender-just world. This will require women鈥檚 active role as decision-makers, not just in the energy sector but in the social, political and economic structures that now reproduce inequities. They can and must be transformed to bring about both environmental sustainability and gender equity in the critical years ahead.

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Competing are Jason Ho-Shue (Badminton), Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes (Beach Volleyball), Shady El Nahas (Judo), Brittany Crew (Shot Put), Pierce Lepage (Decathlon), Bismark Boateng and Khamica Bingham (Track & Field), and Arthur Szwarc (Indoor Volleyball). Alumna Andrea Prieur, a certified athletic therapist, will be part of the Health Services team.

 - Badminton
A Canadian badminton player from Markham, Ont., Ho-Shue is a student in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. In 2015, he settled triple crowns at the Pan Am Junior Badminton Championships in the boys' singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. He won the bronze medal in the mixed team event. In 2016, he became the youngest Canadian badminton player to win the national title in men's singles event. He also won double titles at the XX Pan Am Individual Championships in men's singles and doubles. Ho-Shue competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He was a gold medalist in the men's doubles event partnered with Nyl Yakura at the 2019 Lima Pan American Games, earning a bronze medal in the men's singles.

 - Beach Volleyball 
Arguably one of Canada's greatest metal threats, Wilkerson attended 91亚色 until 2014 and starred for the women's volleyball team during her time with the Lions. She earned Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) second-team all-Canadian and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) first-team all-star honours for two straight seasons, 2011-12 and 2012-13. The native of Toronto also ranked fourth in the OUA and first on the team in scoring in 2013-14 (3.91 points per set) and sixth in kills per set (3.10), despite starting just 11 matches. Wilkerson's career began on a high note at the beginning of the last decade 鈥� now 29-years-old, she was named 91亚色's female rookie of the year in 2010-11 and earned the OUA rookie of the year award. She was a CIS and OUA all-rookie team member and an OUA East second-team all-star that season.

 - Beach Volleyball
A six-time FIVB Gold Medalist, 12-time FIVB Medalist, five-time Canadian champion, two-time AVP champion, Commonwealth Games champion, and most recently, a world champion, earning the first-ever Gold for Canada, Humana-Paredes is an extremely accomplished volleyball player with roots at 91亚色. Humana-Paredes and her family have been synonymous with the 91亚色 volleyball programs for decades. A 91亚色 alumna, she previously played for four years for the Lions, her brother Felipe was a five-year member of the men's team and their father Hernan Humana was a long-time coach of both teams. Humana-Paredes' Lions career included three OUA all-star honours, a CIS second-team all-Canadian selection and 91亚色's female Athlete of the Year award in 2012. She won back-to-back bronze medals at the U23 world championships, competed at the 2015 Pan Am Games, the FISU Games in 2013, and toured around the world to compete at the FIVB and NORCECA events, winning numerous medals in the process. The team of Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan won the gold medal at the 2019 Beach Volleyball World Championships, defeating the American team of April Ross and Alix Klineman 2-0 for Canada's first-ever medal in the event.

 - Judo
A 23-year-old Canadian from Alexandria, Egypt, El Nahas competed as a wrestler at 91亚色 in 2017, where he went a near-perfect 23-1 in OUA competition with 19 pins. He was a gold medallist at Concordia, McMaster and 91亚色 regular-season events. He was a 2017 91亚色 rookie-of-the-year nominee, and earned the men's wrestling MVP during his only season with the Lions. Since then, El Nahas has achieved considerable success on the international stage. He is a two-time gold medal winner at the Pan American Judo Championships in 2019 and 2020 and also took gold at the 2021 IHF Judo Grand Slam in Tbilisi, Georgia. He has four other medals at Grand Slams, three bronze medals and a silver at 2018 Osaka. At the 2021 World Championships, El Nahas got into a bronze medal match where he lost to Ilia Sulamanidze of Georgia to finish in a tie for fifth.

- Shot Put
Crew is a decorated former Lion with multiple medal-winning performances at international competition and recently earned a slew of impressive awards for 91亚色 at the national stage. A 27-year-old shot putter from Toronto, Ontario, Crew graduated from 91亚色 in 2019 with a degree in kinesiology and health science. She is a three-time gold medallist at the U SPORTS Championships (2015, 2016 and 2019) and earned bronze at the 2015 FISU Summer Universiade in South Korea. Crew was rewarded in each of those gold-level seasons with the 91亚色 female Athlete of the Year award in 2015, 2016, and 2019. She set a U SPORTS record for shot put with a 16.96m toss at 2016 nationals, then broke her own record in 2019, launching a 17.56m throw. She out threw her nearest competition by more than two metres en route to winning the event. Crew returns to the Olympics for a second time after donning the red and white in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 - Decathlon
The 25-year-old runner from Whitby, Ont., graduated from 91亚色 in 2019 with a degree in interdisciplinary social science. It was also a landmark year for Lepage because he struck gold at three different events at the 91亚色-hosted OUA championships, winning in 60m hurdles, long jump, and high jump. At the 2019 U SPORTS championships, he earned gold in 60m hurdles and long jump. He was also part of the silver medal-winning 4x200m relay team, and won bronze in high jump. Lepage was named 2019 91亚色 male Athlete of the Year. At international events, Lepage is known for competing as a decathlete, routinely reaching the podium on the world stage. In his first decathlon of 2019, LePage scored a personal best 8453 points to win the Decastar meet in June, which gave him the decathlon qualifying standard for Tokyo 2020. He shared the podium with Canadian teammate Damian Warner at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, winning bronze, after a silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. LePage did not compete in the decathlon in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, LePage attended the famed Hypo-meeting in G枚tzis, Austria and won silver with a personal-best of 8534 points.

 - Track & Field
The 29-year-old Canadian from Accra, Ghana wasn't always a track & field athlete. He began his post-secondary athletic career with the Rams as a soccer player, but eventually discovered track and transferred to 91亚色 to join the team. His sprinting career took off from there, proving he made a wise decision. He struck gold in 60m at the CIS Championships in 2015 and took home silver in 2016. Internationally, Boateng was part of the gold medal 4x100m relay winning team at the 2018 NACAC Championships in Toronto.

 - Track & Field
A 2020 humanities graduate, the 27-year-old sprinter from Brampton, Ont., has played a key role in Canada's Olympic efforts since she joined Canada nationally. She is a two-time medallist in the Pan American Games, earning a silver with Canada at Lima 2019 and a bronze at Toronto 2015. Bingham made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016 where she anchored the 4x100m relay team to a sixth-place finish, in what was Canada's first Olympic final in the event since Los Angeles 1984. She missed advancing to the 100m semifinals by just one place. In 2013, she represented Canada at the Universiade, finishing fourth in the 100m semis.

 - Indoor Volleyball
Szwarc was a Lion for two seasons, earning accolades in both years for men's volleyball. His team won an OUA bronze medal in 2015 and he was named a CIS second team all-star in 2016. While at 91亚色, he also represented Canada at the 2015 Universiade and FIVB Junior World Championship and won bronze at the 2015 U21 Pan Am Cup. Szwarc turned pro in 2017, joining French club Arago de S猫te for two seasons and being named the Best Middle Blocker of Ligue A in 2018. He then moved to Italian side, Top Volley Cisterna. In January 2020, Szwarc was named best middle blocker at the NORCECA Continental Qualifier as Canada went undefeated to secure their spot at Tokyo 2020.

Athletic therapist

Joining the Canadian Olympic team is alumna听Andrea Prieur, a certified athletic therapist who will be part of the Health Services team. Prier will be working hard to keep Team Canada healthy during this very unusual Olympic Games. A 91亚色 alumna, she earned a certificate in sport therapy in 1997. She is well-versed in major multisport events, having served as a therapist at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games; at several Pan American Games, including most recently in 2015; and at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2014. She has also worked as part of the integrated support team for the Canadian diving team since 2010 for events around the world. She was also Team Canada's chief therapist for the 2019 FISU (International University Sports Federation) Summer Games.

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Nicole Alexander听has now all but convocated with her master of fine arts (MFA) in screenwriting from 91亚色鈥檚 Department of Cinema & Media Arts. She follows rather untraditionally in the footsteps of her eldest son,听Morgan Fics, who accepted the very same degree five years ago 鈥� making them the first mother-son MFA screenwriting graduates in 91亚色 history. And the story of how they got here 鈥� together 鈥� is definitely one worth telling.

The son

Growing up in Winnipeg, Fics wanted to be a writer for as long as he can remember, penning short stories every chance he got and imagining his bright future as a novelist. After high school, he took some time off to travel and write before realizing that he should pursue post-secondary education to help improve his craft. He soon enrolled at the University of Winnipeg, where his interests shifted from English literature to film after a professor pointed out that his work was better suited to scripts than prose. And after completing his first screenwriting course, he knew it was a perfect fit.

Encouragement from a trusted mentor led Fics to then decide to apply for a master鈥檚 program next. 91亚色鈥檚 was the only graduate screenwriting program in the country at the time, so he applied and was thrilled to be accepted.

鈥淚 remember the day they called me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was at work and I basically broke down crying in the middle of this tech support call centre I was working at. It was very, very exciting.鈥�

Fics happened to know three people from Winnipeg who were going through 91亚色鈥檚 small but mighty graduate film program at the same time, in different streams. 鈥淎nd because of that, I had a really strong connection between all three aspects of the department,鈥� he explains, 鈥渟o I spent a lot of time on set, I got to do a lot of producing and a lot of story editing.鈥�

His many fond memories from 91亚色 centre around the mentorship and collaboration among his fellow students, spending a lot of time workshopping and getting to know each other really well. He is still in contact with some of them today.

Since graduating in 2016, Fics has been busy. He has made several short films, the most recent of which, Tick Tock (2018), qualified for both the Canadian Screen Awards and the Academy Awards, and won best drama at the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival and an award of excellence at Canada Shorts. Finding the Restorative Narrative (2015), which he worked on with another 91亚色 MFA grad, is part of the late 91亚色 Professor Amnon Buchbinder鈥檚 interactive website . And a new screenplay that he cowrote and hopes to co-direct is currently being shopped around to North American production companies.

Fics has also been exploring his interest in teaching by working as a teaching assistant for the Biology of Story course at 91亚色 for several years and instructing a screenwriting course in the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. 鈥淚 think teaching is one of the most wonderful things I鈥檝e ever gotten to do with my life,鈥� he says, 鈥渁nd I think that鈥檚 a lot of influence from my mom, for sure.鈥�

Looking ahead, Fics hopes to have a varied career that includes making independent Canadian feature films and teaching part-time, while doing some script-doctoring and story editing on the side. 鈥淚 basically want to do a million things at once so I鈥檓 always fresh for whatever is going on,鈥� he says with a laugh.

The mother

Alexander, who earned her bachelor of education from the University of Manitoba and graduated from Chicago's Second City sketch comedy writing program, kept her passion for writing mostly on the back burner as she raised her young family and worked as a teacher. But once her three kids reached their teenage years, she decided to take a crack at her first film script, something she had always dreamt of doing. She submitted that debut screenplay, The Suicide Club, to the WFF Praxis Screenwriters Lab 鈥� 21 years ago now 鈥� and, to her surprise, it was selected. But with a full-time job and three kids at home, there still wasn鈥檛 much time for her to pursue writing in any significant way. However, with her interest piqued, she went on to complete two more feature scripts in her stolen moments, plus a funny book on internet dating called Cyber Love Muse.

When all three of Alexander鈥檚 adult children left Winnipeg for graduate programs, she decided to head overseas to teach. She spent two years in Thailand and a year in South Korea, and it was then, when she was really missing her family and not knowing where to settle next, that Fics encouraged her to apply for the MFA in screenwriting at 91亚色. She hadn鈥檛 previously considered it, but she liked the idea.

鈥淚 think I needed a break from teaching and I鈥檝e always wanted to become a better writer. I still do,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd I was shocked they let me in but they did.鈥�

She lived on campus for two years and loved every minute of it. 鈥淏ecause I had my kids so young, living on campus was just so much fun,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was really quiet and I had a cat, so I wasn鈥檛 like a usual college student, but I really appreciated the experience. Just having the time to explore the writing was such a privilege.鈥�

The most memorable part of the program for Alexander was the short film she created, as it was her first time experimenting with other aspects of filmmaking outside of writing. 鈥淚 got to write, direct and shoot, and that was an absolutely amazing experience,鈥� she recalls.

After a difficult final year spent finishing her thesis, returning to teaching and moving back to Winnipeg to take care of her elderly father, who recently passed, Alexander is now beginning to feel like she can start to enjoy the fruits of her labour. 鈥淣ow I can say that I have my MFA from 91亚色 in screenwriting,鈥� she says excitedly. 鈥淚鈥檓 relieved. There鈥檚 a real jubilance underneath that is starting to come out.鈥�

She will be moving back to Ontario this summer, and although she鈥檒l still be teaching, Alexander hopes to spend the next year finishing up the two scripts she has on the go and trying to do something with her thesis script, which she has already submitted to some competitions. 鈥淢y goal is to segue from teaching to writing full-time, if that鈥檚 possible,鈥� says Alexander. 鈥淚鈥檓 aiming for a new career 鈥� why not, right?鈥�

A family affair

Top of mind for both mother and son is to work on a project together now that Alexander is finished her MFA and finally able to dedicate her attention to something other than her thesis. 鈥淲e鈥檝e still got some time before the school year kicks off and I have a feeling that we鈥檒l probably pound out a script ASAP,鈥� says Fics assuredly.

But this won鈥檛 be the first time this mother-son duo collaborates on work. The pair has a long history of working together 鈥� while Fics completed his MFA studies, and while Alexander went through hers.

鈥淲hen I would write a script, I would send it to my mom and she would read it and help with the editing,鈥� explains Fics. 鈥淚t was back and forth like this, with her stuff too. I actually edited her short film, the one that she shot at 91亚色. We鈥檝e been working together for 15 years.鈥�

Their tight-knit bond became especially important as they both navigated through some very heavy and interconnected material for their master鈥檚 theses. 鈥淲e got really lucky to have each other during both of our journeys,鈥� says Fics, 鈥渆specially because we both did very personal thesis topics that centred around one particular individual from our lives, my father and my mom鈥檚 ex,鈥� who passed away during the first year of Alexander鈥檚 MFA.

鈥淚t was very healing, writing that script,鈥� Fics says. 鈥淚 honestly don鈥檛 think I could have done it without my mom. It was a long process of, I guess I would call it grieving, of trying to move through the story of my relationship with my father and how that ended up playing out within the script. And something I always wished is that he could have read it.鈥�

鈥淚t was quite the journey,鈥� Alexander agrees. 鈥淚 call it my personal therapy.鈥�

By Lindsay MacAdam, communications officer, Communications & Public Affairs, 91亚色

Courtesy of YFile.

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Canadian poet and 91亚色 alumna Canisia Lubrin has won the 2021 Griffin Poetry Prize for her book The Dyzgraphxst (Penguin/Random House, 2020), a long poem that examines the idea of selfhood while exploring issues of race, oppression and colonialism.

Widely considered the most prestigious poetry award in Canada, the Griffin family gives out two $65,000 prizes annually: one to a Canadian poet and one to an international poet.

鈥�The Dyzgraphxst is Canisia Lubrin鈥檚 spectacular feat of architecture called a poem,鈥�  remarked the prize jury. 鈥淏uilt with 鈥業鈥� 鈥� a single mark on the page, a voice, a blade, 鈥榓 life-force soaring back鈥� 鈥� and assembled over seven acts addressing language, grammar, sentence, line, stage and world, the poet forms, invents, surprises and sharpens life.鈥�

Lubrin is a graduate of 91亚色鈥檚 Creative Writing program in the Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

鈥淲e are thrilled and proud that Canisia鈥檚 exquisite book has won the Griffin Prize,鈥� said David Goldstein, associate professor and co-ordinator of 91亚色鈥檚 Creative Writing program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so wonderful to see a graduate of the program receive such a well-deserved honour. "

Born and raised in Saint Lucia, Lubrin completed a BA in creative writing at 91亚色 and an MFA at the University of Guelph. She teaches creative writing at OCAD University and poetry at the University of Toronto and is also the incoming poetry editor at the literary press McClelland & Stewart.

Courtesy of YFile.

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On the call, Sears learned she was among 20 Canadians chosen as inaugural McCall MacBain Scholars, recipients of the country鈥檚 first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship that supports master鈥檚 and professional studies.

The scholarship enables students to pursue a fully funded master鈥檚 or professional degree at McGill University while connecting with mentors and participating in an intensive leadership development program.

More than 735 people applied for the McCall MacBain Scholarships; 132 participated in regional interviews with local leaders in November and 50 were invited to final interviews in March. Scholars were chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength and intellectual curiosity.

Sears graduated in 2020 with a bachelor of arts in political science and philosophy from 91亚色. She worked part-time throughout her studies as a barista, a server and a research assistant for two 91亚色 professors. She is now working in Montr茅al and will pursue a master鈥檚 degree in bioethics.

鈥淏eing a part of this scholarship and its mission is so humbling 鈥� and so exciting,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think what the scholarship offers students is a sort of freedom 鈥� the freedom to be intellectually curious and adventurous, in a way that not many of us can when we have to balance academics with finances, and when we are navigating academia on our own.鈥�

While at 91亚色, Sears served as editor-in-chief of Pro Tem, Glendon鈥檚 bilingual student newspaper, managing a team of 13. She also helped edit the Glendon Journal of International Studies. A proud 91亚色 Lion, she credits 91亚色 with providing many opportunities to develop and empower her leadership skills. "Many of the strengths and skills that I brought to the application process were developed during my undergraduate degree. This is especially the case for my leadership experience, which grew significantly within the university environment 鈥� you can learn a lot by maximizing your campus involvement."

In addition to selecting 20 McCall MacBain Scholars, the McCall MacBain Scholarships program and McGill University offered 55 entrance awards to promising candidates. 91亚色 graduates Christina Hoang, Betty Nwaogwugwu and Kaitlyn Smoke were offered McCall MacBain Finalist Awards ($10,000) for their studies at McGill, and Berta Kaisr was offered a McCall MacBain Regional Award ($5,000) for use at any public university in Canada.

Sears, Hoang, Nwaogwugwu and Smoke were among 46 Canadian peers from 28 universities that were called to take part in virtual final interviews in March. Each finalist participated in interviews with Canadian leaders from academia, business, government and the social sectors.

鈥淭he global challenges we face as a society need the energy and entrepreneurial spirit of these scholars,鈥� said John McCall MacBain, who, together with his wife Marcy McCall MacBain, created these scholarships through a historic $200-million gift in February 2019, the single-largest gift in Canadian history at that time. 鈥淭hrough this scholarship program, they鈥檒l have opportunities to deepen their knowledge, develop their leadership skills, and create meaningful connections that will enable them to bring about positive change. We want to congratulate these students and recognize the hundreds of candidates across Canada who were considered for this scholarship.鈥�

Outreach is already underway for the second class of McCall MacBain Scholars, with the application period opening in June. Canadian students and alumni can visit mccallmacbainscholars.org to learn about applying for Fall 2022 admission. Current 91亚色 students and new grads are invited to join a McCall McBain Scholarships Information Session on Tuesday, April 13 to learn more about the awards and how to apply.

Courtesy of YFile.

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鈥�91亚色鈥檚 Top 30 Under 30 is a community of changemakers,鈥� says Julie Lafford, executive director, Alumni Engagement. 鈥淒riven by passion, they create positive change and are outstanding representatives of the university, reflecting the high calibre of 91亚色 alumni.鈥�

91亚色 alumni take the education, skills and support they receive at 91亚色 and develop a strong sense of purpose, a desire to create positive change, and a long-standing commitment to the public good. Those qualities are all evident in the young alumni selected.

鈥淚 am proud to know that my work with Fix the 6ix was recognized by 91亚色,鈥� says Deanna Lentini (BSc 鈥�16), a physiotherapist and founder of Fix the 6ix, a thriving volunteer organization that gives back to the community and gives students opportunities to build their leadership skills. 鈥淚t shows that little ideas with a lot of heart can do big things.鈥�

Representing every Faculty at the University, these alumni are leaders working and volunteering in a variety of fields, from health and sustainability to the arts and business, and work to bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges.

鈥淭o create positive change in the world, the action starts at the local level,鈥� says Miranda Baksh (BES 鈥�17, MES 鈥�19), founder and CEO of the Community Climate Council (CCC), a not-for-profit organization advocating for local climate action through enhancing climate literacy and political advocacy. 鈥淧ositive change can occur when a community feels empowered and increases climate literacy and political advocacy. I hope that through our work I can keep inspiring youth, especially from underrepresented and marginalized communities, to use their voices for positive change."

For more information on the 2021 Top 30 Changemakers Under 30, visit the website.

The 2021 Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 are:

• Ajith Thiyagalingam, BA '15, JD '18, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Osgoode Hall Law School
• Alexandra Lutchman, BA '14, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Aurangzeb Khandwala, BA '18, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Bailey Francis, BA '19, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Basia Pozin, BBA '17, Schulich School of Business
• Bo Cheng, BSC '17, MMAI '20, Science, Schulich School of Business
• Christine Edith Ntouba Dikongu茅, BA '14, Glendon
• Dani Roche, BDES '13, School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design
• David (Xiaoyu) Wang, MSCM '20, Schulich School of Business
• David Marrello, BBA '15, Schulich School of Business
• Deanna Lentini, BSC '16, Health
• Eunice Kays, BA '17, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Farzia Khan, BA '17, Lassonde School of Engineering
• Giancarlo Sessa, BBA '19, Schulich School of Business
• Iman Mohamed, BA '14, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Isabella Akaliza, BA '20, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Jillian Lynch, BA '19, Health
• Krystal Abotossaway, BHRM '13, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Larissa Crawford, BA '18, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Luke Reece, BA '15, School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design
• Maneesha Gupta, JD '17, Osgoode Hall Law School
• Matthew Ravida, BCOM '18, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Mikhaela Gray Beerman, BA '14, MED '18, Glendon, Education
• Miranda Baksh,听BES 鈥�17, MES '19, Environmental & Urban Change
• Nicole Doray, IBA '17, MES '19, Glendon, Environmental & Urban Change
• Prakash Amarasooriya, BSC '15, Health
• Rana Nasrazadani, BA '20, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
• Rowena Tam, BA '17, School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design
• Shant Joshi, BFA '17, School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design
• Shaquille Omari, BA '15, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Courtesy of YFile.

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A study recently published in the听Journal for the Association of Consumer Research听finds that advanced (aged 50-plus) female style influencers use the social media platform Instagram to actively fight gendered ageism rampant in the fashion and beauty industries.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)-funded study was undertaken by Schulich School of Business Associate Professor听听in collaboration with HEC Montr茅al Associate Professor Marie-Agn猫s Parmentier, who is a 91亚色 alumna.

A growing body of consumer research on intersectionality in the marketplace focuses on identifying overlapping oppressive consumer identity categories, such as gender and race. Yet this work tends to prioritize microlevel agency over power relations within structures and practices of domination.

Drawing on the more transformative aspects of intersectionality theory, as well as a focused media and netnographic investigation of the 'Advanced Style' movement in North America, the study examines how advanced (aged 50-plus) female style influencers help transform the ageist and sexist fashion and beauty markets.

Specifically, these women enact two forms of embodied resistance informed by the Western dominant discourse of successful aging (deconstructing gendered and ageist fashion and defying gendered and ageist beauty) using the social media platform Instagram.

"It is inspiring to see regular women turned influencers trying to change not only gender, but also age discrimination in the fashion, beauty, and even influencer markets," said Veresiu.

These consumers-turned-influencers engage in online 鈥渟tyleactivism鈥� demanding designers to create ready-to-wear options for their changing bodies. They equally reject the anti-aging beauty market, opting instead to popularize natural, graying hair, wrinkles, and body scars through their Instagram posts. When selecting brands for collaboration as typical influencers, these 'Advanced Style Influencers' often refuse to be the token senior.

The study concludes with future research directions on the transformative potential of embodied resistance for various doubly oppressive gendered and ageist marketplaces.

鈥淵ou too can follow the Advanced Style influencers鈥� consumer activism journeys on Instagram using the hashtag #advancedstyle,鈥� said Veresiu.

Read the study "."

Courtesy of YFile.

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This powerful resource, developed in a Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC) graduate-level urban planning course of the same name, taught by Pitter, will launch at a virtual event on March 22. Her forthcoming books, Black Public Joy and Where We Live, will be published later this year.

The project is a homecoming for Pitter, who completed her master's in environmental studies (MES) degree at 91亚色 and who was excited to work again with her former MES advisor Professor听.

The course and the newly published resource draws on the seminal scholarship and ancestral example of . The students reviewed theoretical texts and paired up to interview leading Black urbanists, including the Commissioner of New 91亚色 City鈥檚 Department of Parks and Recreation, , an award-winning urban planner.

鈥淛ay Pitter鈥檚 Engaging Black People & Power brings together EUC students with members of the Black urbanist community to learn about anti-Blackness in planning practices, and to set a path for more just and equitable cities. Such experiential education opportunities are pivotal steps in addressing anti-Black racism and realizing transformational change,鈥� says EUC Dean听.

The course highlights 10 case studies originating from these graduate student-led interviews, edited by Pitter, Sandberg and EUC Professor听. Other project collaborators include EUC Professors听听补苍诲听. The resource also features a case study of Anthony Taylor, Parks & Open Space commissioner for the Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, who has led numerous placemaking projects in his community, including the site where George Floyd died.

The publication identifies engagement practices and policy approaches for addressing spatialized anti-Blackness in cities across North America to address design, development, social justice and placemaking challenges. It also contains a living legend tribute to Silver, policy expert roundtable highlights, as well as recommendations and practical templates.

鈥淏lack ink on white pages, in response to Black blood on white streets, is not enough. A single publication cannot redress complex socio-spatial threats faced by Black communities. But it does play a small role in transforming long-standing conversations toward action,鈥� says Pitter, a recent John Bousfield Distinguished Visitor in Planning at University of Toronto and a Senior Fellow at the Canadian Urban Institute.

The case studies, including those by 91亚色 graduate students Selam Eyob and Jasmine Mohamed (see their article in  magazine), exemplify forms of engagement with Black communities, including digital justice, development in blighted neighbourhoods, parks design, and creative placemaking with youth from Los Angeles鈥� most notorious rival gangs.

鈥淭he question of whose history matters, and historical preservation is a challenge all urbanists should be grappling with, in order to deepen their commitment and accountability to addressing anti-Black racism,鈥� write Eyob and Mohamed. 鈥淭he conversation with Mitchell Silver and the course overall left us thinking about how we can centre generosity as a key principle in our planning practice moving forward.鈥�

The publication is expected to have wide-reaching impacts in shaping placemaking and urban planning as a resource for community organizations, scholars, policymakers, urbanists, students and academic institutions to address challenges in equitable city planning.

鈥淛ay鈥檚 thought leadership continues to challenge policy makers, practitioners and city leaders to learn more about the legacies and ongoing implications of anti-Black racism in urbanism, and to work and build cities with people with the lived experience and insights needed to radically change the way our cities are built,鈥� says Mary W. Rowe, president and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute.

The launch event details:

WHEN: Monday, March 22, 12 to 1:15 p.m.

WHO:  will deliver opening remarks, followed by Jay Pitter in conversation with Anthony Taylor, a living legacy tribute to and talk by , and more.

奥贬贰搁贰:听Register for the webinar, hosted by 91亚色 and the Canadian Urban Institute:听

Courtesy of YFile.

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Victor Phillip Dahdaleh

91亚色 has announced the establishment of The Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health to address some of the most pressing issues of our time. The announcement was made on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

The institute will be a leader and a catalyst in addressing global health issues. It will provide a robust context for students involved in 91亚色鈥檚 Global Health program, as well as for academics and researchers working in the field at the University and around the world.

鈥淲e are thrilled that Dr. Dahdaleh shares our vision to build on 91亚色鈥檚 strength in global health,鈥� said Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor of 91亚色. 鈥淭he Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health will serve as a focal point for international dialogue and collaboration in health innovation research and teaching that will have global impact and make a meaningful difference in people鈥檚 lives, now and in the future.鈥�

The Dahdaleh Institute will reflect the multidisciplinary nature of global health with involvement from Faculties across the University, initially focused within the Faculty of Health. This initiative has been made possible by a transformational donation from Victor Phillip Dahdaleh, a U.K.-based Canadian business leader. Announced recently, Dahdaleh, who graduated from the University almost four decades ago, made a donation of $20 million, the largest gift ever given by a听91亚色 graduate.

鈥淚 am excited and honoured to contribute to 91亚色 as it addresses global health and equity challenges through research, social innovation, international collaboration and leadership development, and prepares the next generation of global health leaders,鈥� said Dahdaleh.

The institute鈥檚 work will lead to a reframing of the ways in which high- and low-income countries collaborate in the co-creation of solutions to global health challenges. A strategic advantage is 91亚色鈥檚 focus on equity and its extensive range of global partners and networks linked to the culturally diverse Greater Toronto Area. These global-local links provide unparalleled opportunities for collaborative research and knowledge mobilization that address pressing health and social concerns.

Dahdaleh鈥檚 donation will provide both immediate and permanent funding to establish new Faculty positions, research initiatives and projects, scholarships and travel grants for domestic and international students.

In honour of this transformational gift, the University is officially naming the on its Keele campus.听

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"The Top 25 is about a level of respect, the ability to influence public opinion and help shape the laws of this country; contribution to the strength and quality of legal services; and social and political influence and involvement," writes Gail Cohen, editor of Canadian Lawyer magazine, in her introduction to "The Top 25 Most Influential".

For the second year in a row, Osgoode Hall Law School Dean Sossin made the list in the Changemakers category. Sossin was praised for his important role in Canadian legal education with the magazine making a special note of his leadership role in experiential education. "With the Law Society of Upper Canada planning radical changes to legal licensing in Ontario, Sossin's novel and creative approaches to legal education promise to play an important role in the profession in the coming years," noted the magazine.

Justice David Brown, a judge on the Ontario Superior Court in Toronto, was also included in the Changemakers category. Brown was lauded for his colourful delivery and outspoken judgements. Canadian Lawyer magazine noted Brown's criticism of "the motions culture" in which he decried the actions by "lawyers preferring to bring complex motions rather than settle matters through a civil trial".

Making the list as part of the In-house Counsel category, Osgoode grad Norie Campbell, top legal counsel for the Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank, leads a team of more than 60 lawyers. She also appears on the top 40 under 40 list. Canadian Lawyer made special mention of Campbell's important role in the bank "at a time when TD is making serious inroads into the US market". Campbell is also active in the United Way.

In the Corporate-Commercial Law category, University of Ottawa Professor and Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law, Michael Geist, is marking his third year on the Canadian Lawyer list. His column appears in the Toronto Star and Ottawa Citizen newspapers, and he is an author and blogs regularly on copyright law. "Through his academic work and public outreach, Geist illuminates issues surround copyright law and the Internet," noted the magazine.

Appearing in the Criminal Law/Human Rights category, Osgoode alumnus Brian Greenspan, a partner in the Toronto firm Greenspan HumphreyLavine, made the list for his continuing leadership in Canadian criminal law. The publication referred to his work to help "redefine the scope of the defence of duress now available to all accused". Greenspan appeared on the magazine's first top 25 list that was published in 2010.

Also appearing in the Criminal Law/Human Rights category is Justice Rosalie Abella, a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada. Abella was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1991 by 91亚色 for her leadership role in human rights law. "Abella was the sole dissenter in the 2012 case of R. v. N.S.," noted the publication, "where she argued that requiring a witness to remove her niqab would effectively force her to choose between her religious beliefs and participating in the justice system."

Full details are available on the听 magazine website.

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