Our faculty are thought leaders undertaking ground-breaking research around the most relevant issues facing humanity today. They are often asked to comment on issues impacting society and contribute to discussions on current events. Browse through recent media where LA&PS professors have been called upon for their expertise.
Quebec’s government wants a ‘neutral’ state – but it gets to define neutrality
Dr. Nadia Hasan, an assistant professor at the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, highlights Quebec's Bill 21, also known as An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State. This law prohibits individuals who wear religious symbols, like a turban, hijab, or kippah, from holding certain public-sector positions in the province.
Bill 21: Majority of Muslim women considered leaving Quebec for work
About 71 per cent of Muslim women surveyed in Quebec considered leaving the province for work due to the affects of Bill 21, during the pandemic. Dr. Nadia Hassan, a professor at LA&PS, has conducted a study that reveals how Bill 21 systematically places Muslim women in vulnerable positions, casting them as second-class citizens.
From land acknowledgements to solidarity statements
Land acknowledgements have become a common practice in our society, but do we truly understand their meaning and purpose? LA&PS Associate Professor and member of the Haudenosaunee nation, Dr. Ruth Green, explored this topic at the Aurora Public Library on April 18th.
Preventing the spread of wildfires in Alberta
Eric Kennedy (Disaster and Emergency Management and college head) was on CTV Your Morning.
Detransition needs further understanding, not controversy
“Gender care researchers, clinicians, and service developers have an obligation to understand these experiences and to develop tailored detransition related health and social care services as one part of comprehensive gender care. To address the current knowledge gaps, we weave together existing literature about those who have discontinued or reversed a gender transition and offer guidance on how to better design future research studies and care” Professor Kinnon MacKinnon states.
Canada’s inaugural National Day Against Gun Violence promotes prevention and healing
“The inaugural National Day Against Gun Violence in Canada can be considered as a form of disaster mitigation. In general, disaster mitigation includes a wide variety of measures taken before a disastrous event occurs. In this case, mitigation will not eliminate gun violence, but it can act to reduce it, prevent it from occurring, or help in better preparing for its aftermath”Professor Jack L. Rozdilsky discusses.
Trolling and doxxing: Graduate students sharing their research online speak out about hate
“Media relations and knowledge-mobilization offices must develop clear protocols for protecting community members and supporting them in the wake of encountering hatred online. It is equally essential that these policies are readily available and easy to locate for scholars in distress,” PhD Candidates Alex Borkowski, Marion Tempest Grant, and Professor Natalie Coulter state.
International students in Canada face discrimination, exploitation
“The consequences are very severe. It is a life and death issue. And of course, housing is very important for not only the health of the students, but also for them to be good students, you know, to perform well, to keep up with their studies. It's absolutely crucial” Professor Tania Das Gupta explained.
Prof Tom Hooper discusses the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids on an episode of Global News’ What Happened to….?
Murray Rankin was an MP. Ron Rosenes was arrested and convicted in the 1981 bathhouse raids. Professor Tom Hooper is a historian of the bathhouse raids and Gary Kinsman was a queer activist at the time of the bathhouse raids.
Left to Right: Murray Rankin, Ron Rosenes, Tom Hooper, Gary Kinsman.
Wildland residential areas aren't prepared for wildfires: study
These changes can be costly to homeowners, and with rising inflation and frequent wildfires impacting home insurance premiums, these challenges aren't making wildfire mitigation any easier on residents, Professor Eric Kennedy explained.