Hosted by Dr. Rebecca Pillai Riddell, Academic Chair of The York Circle, this virtual lecture series will showcase York's leading faculty members—from policy makers to molecular scientists—to engage in lively panel discussions and Q&A sessions on key themes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series will be held over four sessions throughout the year.
The first 200 people to register for three or more York Circle @ Home virtual sessions will:
- Receive a complimentary York University coffee mug¥
- Become a member of The York Circle
- Be entered for a chance to win 1 of 4 $25 gift cards per session, made possible by MBNA Rewards® Platinum Plus® Mastercard®*
Registration is required. You can register now by using the buttons below for each session. We'll send you a reminder closer to the event date.
¥ Complimentary York University mugs will be reserved for the first 200 people who register for and attend three or more York Circle @ Home sessions, while quantities last; mugs to be delivered in spring 2021.
* Prizing provided courtesy of MBNA Rewards® Platinum Plus® Mastercard®.
Panel 1: At home and in school: Supporting children, youth and the adults who care for them during a pandemic
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 | 10-11:30am ET
During these unprecedented times, politicians, parents, health professionals and educators are struggling to determine what is best for students heading back to school this fall, whether that’s virtually or in person. In this timely panel session, York University experts will discuss the economic, social, and practical impacts of the pandemic on children, parents and educators in relation to inequities in the current education system. Dr. Gillian Parekh, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, will explore tensions around education and care for students with disabilities; Dr. Vidya Shah, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, will offer ideas for providing learning engagements focused on relationality, as well as community and critical consciousness; and Dr. Stephen Gaetz, Professor in the Faculty of Education, will speak to the problem of supporting youth experiencing homelessness or who are precariously housed during the pandemic.
Panel 2: COVID-19 vaccine: Production, policy, politics
Date: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 | 10-11:30am ET
Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the global race for a vaccine wages on. In this relevant panel discussion, infectious disease, immunology and health policy experts will explore the sociological and scientific implications of securing a safe and accessible vaccine. Dr. Gillian Wu, an immunologist and retired professor, and Vivian Saridakis, Associate Professor, Biology, will address pressing questions on virus spread, global measures to contain infections, as well as what to expect in subsequent waves. Dr. A.M. Viens, Associate Professor of Global Health Policy and Director of the School of Global Health, will speak to the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, and explore the ethical challenge of how countries should buy and fairly distribute it; and Dr. Harris Ali, a sociologist at York, will discuss the anti-vax movement and the influence this may have on the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine once developed.
Panel 3: Racism in a pandemic – More than a health crisis
NEW DATE: Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021 | 10-11:30am ET
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of racism on many communities has been compounded. In this panel discussion, York experts will discuss the effects and implications of the pandemic on Canada’s marginalized communities. Dr. Jack Rozdilsky, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director of Disaster & Emergency Management, will discuss the concept of social vulnerability and define the pandemic akin to a disaster management paradigm. Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek, Vice-President Equity, People & Culture, will discuss the impact on multi-generational families in the Indigenous community. Associate Professor Dr. Robert Kenedy, whose work examines co-curricular and curricular peer education, mentorship, and leadership, will discuss scapegoating of the Jewish community. Assistant Professor Dr. Jude Kong of the Canadian Center for Disease Modelling will address anti-Black racism. And Dr. Cary Wu, whose research focuses on political culture, immigration, and inequality, will bridge the challenges across these marginalized groups, and what pandemic recovery could look like.
Panel 4: The impact of the pandemic on the environment
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2021 | 10-11:30am ET
Full list of panelists and event description will be shared shortly.
Ideas for Life, Living and the World Around Us
Since 2009, York Circle has showcased the ideas and research being generated by York University’s community. Topics come from every faculty and have included discussions around gender issues, brain function, mental health, international aid, sports injuries, financial policy and many more evolving subjects. Learn more about our past lectures and the distinguished speakers who presented them, and then sign up to hear about our upcoming presentations.
Join The York Circle
Membership is free! Once you’ve joined, we’ll invite you to each event where you can:
- network in a relaxed environment
- learn about current research on key topics from York’s professors
- meet like-minded people who love to learn
Please note: Current students and faculty of York are not eligible to join The York Circle but can attend as a guest of a registered member.
For more information on The York Circle, call us at (416) 650-8159 or email us at yorkcircle@yorku.ca.
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