Our Students

Alana Ramcharran graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Alana majored in the Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies program with double minors in political science and human geography. During her undergraduate studies, she worked for non-profit and community organizations focusing on international development, community engagement, and cross-cultural communication. These experiences sparked her interest to work in the non-profit sector and the government sector post-graduation. Her last experience was working at the City of Toronto where she supported policy analysis and policy review pertaining to Toronto’s public markets (e.g. farmer’s markets). She is pursuing a master’s degree, in international development, to gain knowledge to aid local communities experiencing poverty due to adverse circumstances like inequitable policies. Alana’s research interest includes socio-economic relationships between the Global North and the Global South, settler-colonialism, and the influence of civil society groups for development.

Arnab holds a BSc and a MSc in Geography and Environment from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Bangladesh. He did research on environmental degradation and adaptation strategies for Rohingya Refugees.

With nearly five years of professional experience in the international NGO sector, Arnab has developed a strong foundation in program leadership and development. He began his career as a fellow with Teach for Bangladesh, where he worked as a full-time educator and led capstone projects focused on WASH, and gender equity in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Arnab then served as Program Lead for UKBET, a UK-based NGO, where he managed development projects aligned with the SDGs, particularly in poverty alleviation, quality education, economic growth, and climate action.

At York University, Arnab aims to further his expertise in development theory and practice, with a specific research interest in assessing the impacts of climate change on marginalized populations in the Global South.

Ashlynn Chand graduated from the University of Alberta with Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology. She worked as a freelance journalist and editor before starting her master’s degree. She has written for Ricochet Media, TorontoStar, The Tyee, Jacobin, The Walrus, Xtra Magazine, and was a labor reporting intern at PressProgress. Her short time as a reporter, she covered topics relating to community, migrants, and women. She is a child of the internet and spends too much time online, leading her to become interested in feminist digital spaces. Working at Amazon and writing about sex workers, she became interested in the ways gender, migration, labour, and technology intersect. Her research plan is to study how digital sexual violence affects migrant women in Malaysia or alternatively find how technology companies impact digital sexual violence in the Global South.

With ten years of experience as a Registered Practical Nurse, Catherine has excelled in leadership roles within the private health sector, and acute care nursing. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Public Health from Brock University in 2023, Catherine's research interests focus on health equity and mental health promotion, particularly for parents/caregivers of medically diverse and fragile children. Additionally, Catherine explores how community participation can be integrated into public health interventions and research to enhance program sustainability. Notably, Catherine has conducted research in Namibia, examining the benefits of peer-to-peer support groups for parents. In recognition of their work, Catherine received the EWO Experiential Learning Student of the Year Award (2023) for their contribution towards community collaboration and enhancing experiential learning. Catherine is dedicated to developing public health interventions that account for communities’ unique cultural needs and appreciates the relationship between diversity, health equity, social justice, and intersectionality in enhancing community health.

Cecile (she/they) holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours First Class with Distinction in International Studies from Simon Fraser University. She received top recognition for her undergraduate honours thesis exploring the intersection of international human rights governance and women’s rights in Morocco. Driven by a commitment to questioning established narratives and engaging with different perspectives, Cecile’s academic journey has also taken her to Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, and the Sijal Institute in Amman, Jordan.

In the Graduate Program in Development Studies, Cecile applies feminist, queer, and critical development perspectives to emphasise the contested and political nature of development. Her current research examines how local feminist organisations navigate, subvert, or resist the (de)politicisation of their work in development contexts. Drawing on four months of fieldwork in Amman, Jordan, she is investigating how women’s NGOs pursue empowerment amid the intersecting pressures of neoliberal and technocratic development agendas and a constrained political climate.

I completed my undergraduate degree in Justice Studies, where I became passionate about understanding global issues and advocating for social change. I chose to pursue my Master’s in Development Studies at York University to continue exploring questions of justice, equity, and transformation in a global context. The program allows me to connect theory with practice and expand my perspective on development work.

Daisy graduated from Humber College with a Bachelor of International Development, where she was on the Dean's List every semester and received the International Development Award and the Academic Excellence Award. She was also recognized in the Dean's Newsletter September 2022 Edition for her work placement with ASONI in San Jose, Costa Rica, a community-based organization dedicated to providing a safe environment and educational support to some of the city's most marginalized youth. Her time in Costa Rica equipped her with valuable skills and knowledge, inspiring her to continue her education and pursue an MA in Development Studies at York University. In her quest to reconnect with her indigenous roots and provide a voice to her community, the Igorot community, her research will focus on Igorot people's experiences with discrimination and marginalization and its ramifications in the Philippines. When she is not engaged with schoolwork, she enjoys archery, embroidery, and cooking.

Emily graduated with distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University with a BA (Hons) in Public Administration and Governance, a minor in Global Politics and Development, and a Certificate in Food Security. Since her early days in the community gardens of British Columbia, she has worked with non-profit organizations to strengthen food security and build resilient communities. After years of work in emergency food distribution and food skills education, Emily became interested in the state's role in food systems and has served on several food policy councils, including as Chair of the Simcoe County Food Council. Awards recognizing her dedication to academic and community work include the Alterna Prize for Women Social Change Leaders (2020) and the David Crombie Achievement Award (2023). Emily's current research on the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program examines how extractive neocolonial systems affect development in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.

Faryal Nayab holds a BA in Global Economics from the University of Central Asia, Tajikistan, where she graduated as Valedictorian. She is deeply passionate about fostering positive social change and empowerment within her community. As an active volunteer, Faryal has worked with youth-led organizations focused on improving educational access and quality in the northern areas of Pakistan. Her academic and professional interests center on addressing educational inequity and advancing women’s empowerment through inclusive and sustainable development.

Fatima has completed her Paralegal Studies Diploma from Humber College and is also a licensed paralegal in Ontario and a notary public. Additionally, she holds an Honours Bachelor's degree in Global Political Studies from York University. Her research focuses on the experiences of the Hazara people of Afghanistan who are currently in Pakistan as refugees. This research resonates with her passion for social justice and her interest in global issues, especially in Central and South Asia, as well as the Middle East. Fatima has actively contributed to her community by supporting the Afghanistan Relief Organization (ARO) as a part-time online English instructor, assisting women refugees in Pakistan. Additionally, she serves as the Head of Events at the Pakistani Students' Association (PSA) at York University, the largest Pakistani students club in Canada, where she keeps the student community engaged and entertained.

Fitsum completed her undergraduate degree at University of Toronto with an Hons Bachelor of Arts Degree double majoring in African Studies and Diaspora and Transnational Studies. She took several courses during her undergraduate degree that were instrumental in forming her research interests and applying to York University's Development Studies program. These courses helped her develop a critical lens to analyse the importance of historical events in relation to contemporary challenges in the world, how power dynamics between the global north and south shape the paradigms, and decisions made by the government, organisations, and civil society. She believes that grassroots organisations play an essential role in promoting change. Her current research interest is centred on youth unemployment and solutions proposed by local development initiatives in Ethiopia. Additional areas of interest include egalitarian education, closing income inequality, food security, humanitarian assistance, environmental sustainability, and making the world more accessible to individuals with disabilities. She is confident that this program will enrich her understanding on the interdisciplinary topic of development, gain practical skills from the research opportunities, and allow her to critically engage with her colleagues, professors, and program administrators.

Francisco is currently studying for a Master's degree in Development Studies. His research project will focus on authoritarianism and attacks on the freedom of the press in Mexico.

He holds a Master's degree in Comparative Public Policy from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO-Mexico) and two Bachelor's degrees, one in Law and the other in Economics, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). At that University, he taught Public Finance, Socioeconomic Problems of Mexico, and Growth and Development Economics. He was also a full-time Associate Researcher at the UNAM's Institute for Economic Research. He has authored and co-authored books, chapters, and articles on public finance, transparency, accountability, combating corruption, and culture related to economic underdevelopment. When working for a CSO in 2005, he became interested in the protection of human rights, specifically in freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right to access public information.

Gianpaolo is an MA candidate in Development Studies at York University, with a focused interest in how legal and regulatory frameworks shape global development outcomes. Building on a Bachelor of Kinesiology, he brings an applied understanding of health systems and equity that now informs a policy-oriented lens on health governance, compliance, and effectiveness. His previous research examined how high school rugby athletes perceive and engage with safeguarding policies, a qualitative study that highlighted how institutional rules are interpreted and lived by youth stakeholders. At the graduate level, Gianpaolo will explore how legal institutions and regulatory rules can strengthen health systems, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency in the health sector across the Global South. He will do this by drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that combines legal analysis, policy evaluation, and development theory. In the long term, he aims to contribute to evidence-based policy reform, procurement, and public governance.

Hafsah is a Somali-Canadian MA student in Development Studies at York University. Her research explores how cash transfer programs intersect with gender, livelihood diversification, and climate vulnerability among pastoralist women in Northern Kenya. She conducted fieldwork in partnership with the Center for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD) and holds a Bilingual Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Glendon College. Hafsah represented Canada at COP-16 in Colombia as a youth delegate and has worked with the Green Career Centre and Youth Challenge International on gender and climate initiatives. Through her research, Hafsah highlights African women’s voices and lived experiences as sites of knowledge within climate and development practice.

Hilary graduated with honours from The University of Guelph in International Development Studies, with an area of emphasis in Development in the Fragile context and a minor in History. Her particular research interests include migration, climate induced displacement, education, and conflict resolution. Hilary was the recipient of the Experience for Life Travel Grant. She studied abroad at the University of Essex in England, which sparked her interest in pursuing immigration at a graduate level. She has volunteered with non-profit organizations in Hamilton, ON working with refugees and making education more accessible in developing countries. Hilary’s current research combines both interests examining how settlement agencies’ English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs influence sustainable settlement for Spanish-Speaking refugee claimants in Hamilton, ON.

Jaivika graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Ottawa, earning an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science with a focus on economics and foreign affairs. In her final year, she was awarded the UROP scholarship, conducting qualitative research on the politics of memory in Indian-Occupied Kashmir under the Faculty of Social Sciences. Following her degree, she worked as a Policy Analyst and Research Associate, addressing critical issues like the COVID-19 migrant crisis and Indigenous land rights in India, gaining firsthand experience with grassroots and bureaucratic challenges faced by marginalized communities.

In 2022, she joined Parliament Hill as a Legislative Assistant, where her work centered on immigration, diversity, and inclusion portfolios, with a special focus on human rights abuses in India and occupied Palestine. Currently, her research at York University examines how domestic and foreign corporate interests, including resource extraction and military collaboration, influence India's policies in Kashmir, following the revocation of Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy in August 2019.

Kayla earned an Honours BA from Wilfrid Laurier University, double-majoring in Communication Studies with a focus on global communication and Global Studies concentrating on international development. During her undergraduate years, she actively engaged in various student clubs and activities. She found particular fulfillment as the Communications Executive of Laurier's Sustainable Development Goals Club, allowing her to practice her human rights and advocacy aspirations. Kayla possesses a steadfast dedication to advocating for vulnerable populations, and she aspires to establish a career in International Law with the goal of fostering a more equitable and just world. Her internship at COSTI Immigration provided invaluable firsthand experience in assisting newcomers in their settlement journey in Canada. Through this experience, she gained a deep understanding of the challenges refugees face upon their arrival in Canada, nurturing a profound empathy for their struggles. This motivation drives her commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming society for all. Consequently, her research interests now center around comprehending and addressing the challenges faced by refugees and the support mechanisms available in Canada to assist them.

Liyu holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in African Studies and Diaspora and Transnational Studies from the University of Toronto. She is passionate about social justice issues and has engaged in numerous initiatives that promote human rights issues and environmental sustainability. She has worked with local community organizations who share her interests in promoting social justice initiatives. Among these initiatives are the following: partaking in problem-solving exercises at the development and peace conference; encouraging people to sign a petition in support of the Toronto Youth Cabinet's campaign to end anti-Black, brown, and Indigenous racism in Ontario schools; tutoring international students; volunteering at homeless shelters; and participating virtually in Climate Justice U of T initiatives. She is optimistic that the DVST program will enable her to pursue her research interest: the relevance of Ethiopia's education system in relation to the socio economic demands of its population, and, ultimately, how this contributes to the country's sustainable development.

Maaheen is a passionate researcher with a BSc in Social Development and policy. Her current graduate research focuses on climate, gender, and health. With a strong foundation in qualitative research, Maaheen has co-authored peer-reviewed publications on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and led various projects, including climate advocacy workshops and public health surveillance studies. Her work highlights social justice and equity, especially in marginalized communities. In addition to her research, she has experience as an academic advisor, research associate, and teaching assistant, and she continues to expand her expertise in data analysis, project design, and monitoring and evaluation. She is committed to driving change through impactful research.

Macy Briand earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Global Development Studies from Queen’s University. With broad interests in global development, she has chosen to focus her Major Research Paper (MRP) on climate change mitigation. Her research applies a political ecology lens to examine the socio-economic impacts of a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) pipeline on local communities in Iowa to assess its viability as a future mitigation strategy. Additionally, her research hopes to inform the climate justice movement on capturing otherwise disinterested groups on the issue of climate change.

Patrick holds an honours B.A. in Global Development Studies (Distinction) from Western University. In 2016, he and his siblings were displaced as refugees from South Sudan, becoming the third generation in his family to experience forced migration. Inspired by this experience, he founded Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation (CECI Uganda) in 2017, a refugee-led NGO, where he led initiatives that supported 103,882 refugees through peacebuilding, education, and livelihood programs. He also engaged various refugee-led organizations, NGOs, and donors to champion the localization of humanitarian aid. After four years as Executive Director, he now chairs the board of CECI Uganda and sits on the board of Dongriin Foundation. In 2024, he founded JobsToApply.com, a hiring platform that helps nonprofits attract, find, and hire candidates with the skills, passion, and dedication needed to advance their missions. Patrick's research interests include the intersection of refugees, education, and poverty, and the role of foreign aid, NGOs, and localization in East Africa.

With more than six years of progressive experience in strategic planning and program implementation within the humanitarian-development nexus with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Rubina Yeasmin has contributed extensively to advancing gender equality and public health outcomes through her work within the UN system and international development sector.

Recognized for her leadership and cross-sectoral collaboration, she has worked with multidisciplinary teams to embed gender-transformative approaches into programming and policy. Her research interests center on the intersection of gender, public health, and development policy, particularly how evidence-based interventions can drive systemic reform in humanitarian and post-conflict settings. She is especially focused on how policy and advocacy mechanisms can address structural exclusion while promoting the rights, well-being, and dignity of marginalized populations.

Motivated by a commitment to sustainable human development and social justice, Rubina Yeasmin is pursuing academic enrichment in Development Studies at York University to further her scholarly engagement in policy leadership and advocacy reform for equitable, gender-transformative change.

Ruth Cook née Raj graduated Summa Cum Laude from York University with a BA (hons.) in International Development Studies. From a Scheduled Caste in Pakistan, Ruth focuses her research on socio-economic exclusion among minority communities in rural Sindh. Her current project examines how missionary development initiatives impact the Schedule Castes, and how marginalized people negotiate their exclusion and employ survival strategies through these initiatives. Ruth has participated in significant research projects, including exploring Albanian migration and the role of social media in sharing migration stories, and how faith-based narratives help Athenians cope with grief. Previously, she taught in Pakistan, which deepened her commitment to education and community empowerment. Ruth also founded a non-registered charity to support marginalized widows in her home region. Her dedication to academic excellence and community impact highlights her commitment to making a positive difference in both Canada and Pakistan.

Saima holds a Master of Education, a postgraduate diploma in Human Development from Aga Khan University, and a Data Analytics and Visualization certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University. With over twenty years of diverse experience, she has expertise in educational reforms, community development, capacity-building, policy formulation and execution, curriculum design, and assessments.

Saima began her career in Pakistan, collaborating with NGOs and CBOs to empower women and girls through education. At Aga Khan University, she earned an Outstanding Teacher Award and contributed to teaching, research, and publications. Her experience with international organizations enabled her to adopt a policy-driven approach to educational challenges. She also developed educational programs for different media platforms, like radio, television, and YouTube.

Saima’s research explores how gender and ethnicity intersect to shape the career pathways of skilled South Asian women in Canada. It aims to identify policy gaps and provide evidence-based recommendations for more inclusive and gender-responsive policies contributing to Canada's diversity, equity, and economic growth.

Tania Deol is a graduate student in Development Studies whose research examines non-status migrant labour, migration governance, and social justice. She holds a degree in Law and Society from York University and worked as a Student Success Lead at the Registrar’s Office. Alongside her academic work, she serves as a Social Media Coordinator for the Health Coalition.

Born and raised in China, I have a Bachelor degree in Structural Engineering from a Chinese university and a MBA degree from a Canadian university. With many years of engineering and project management experience in construction and real estate development industries in both Canada and China, I am currently interested in studying Urban Development in China.

Zahraa graduated with distinction from York University with an Honours BA in International Development Studies. Zahraa has been passionate about development from a young age, and began volunteering at Islamic and community NGOs from the age of 11. Throughout her undergraduate degree, she became interested in development initiatives within the African continent. Her interest in Africa led her to complete a 6-month fellowship with the Canadian non-profit organization Youth Challenge International in Tamale, Ghana. While in Ghana, she led workshops with women social entrepreneurs on digital literacy, confidence building, and skills for business. Zahraa’s professional background is in research, customer and community service. Zahraa currently works for Canada’s Provincial and National parks sector, in a bilingual position. Zahraa speaks French and Urdu, and hopes to leverage these skills with a career in Development. Zahraa is a current MA in Development Studies student, and her research will explore the relationship between intersectionality and women’s social entrepreneurial practices in Jakarta, Indonesia.