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This coming Apr. 9, an important gathering of faculty, scholars, activists, and community leaders will centre a conversation about strategies for real-world advocacy.

OISE's 3rd annual Equity Symposium has a specific theme – “Mobilizing Our Knowledge to Defend Justice Outside the Walls of University.” Attendees will engage in thought-provoking discussions on equity and justice, led by expert panelists and speakers who are driving meaningful change.

“The conference seeks to bridge the gap between academia and community activism, fostering dialogue among scholars, practitioners, and community leaders committed to advancing equity and social justice,” said Dr. Andrew Campbell, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in OISE’s Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, who sits on the OISE Equity Committee, the organizers of this event.

Panel discussion questions might include: What are some of the common barriers you face when advocating for equity and justice, and how do you navigate them? What are some of the most successful real-world advocacy strategies you've implemented in your work, and how can they be replicated by attendees? And, How do you measure the impact of equity and justice initiatives within academic institutions and communities?

This symposium is an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and walk away with actionable strategies to advocate for justice in classrooms, institutions, and communities.

“These spaces are necessary since we do not only work beyond the gates and beyond the walls of these great institutions. We live our lives in communities,” says Dr. Campbell. “Our work, research and teaching impacts, influence and inspires community.

“It is therefore necessary that we think about our positions and postures in these times.”

A Special Keynote

This year’s keynote speaker is University Professor Maydianne Andrade, a professor of evolutionary biology and the Special Advisor to the OISE Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. “What I think is critical right now is, how do we take what we know and make sure that it actually can have some impact outside of OISE, outside of U of T because we're at that moment where it's all hands on deck,” said Andrade, in a conversation in late March.

The theme came at Andrade’s suggestion to the OISE Equity Committee, which is composed of OISE faculty, students, and staff – including Dr. Campbell.

“[The theme] really resonated with [Dr. Campbell] right away because it is such a moment when the ability to distance ourselves from what's happening in United States is gone, and people are starting to think about what happens as these tendencies, as backlash moves into ���޾��ֲ�,” said Andrade.

For her keynote, Andrade will be drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience. She has gained significant insight into equity, diversity and inclusion through her award-winning research in biology and animal behavior, particularly in her experience as (former) Vice-Dean Faculty Affairs & Equity at U of T Scarborough, her work as founder and co-Chair of the  (TIDE), and as co-founder and inaugural ���޾��ֲ� of the .

Andrade received the  from the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 2021. She has numerous research awards and distinctions, including a the Trailblazer award from the Canadian Science Policy Centre, the Lawrence J. Burpee medal for outstanding contributions and science leadership from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and the Exemplar award for sustained contributions to the study of animal behaviour from the Animal Behavior Society.

She is aware that educators have multiple opportunities to make an impact – in the classroom lessons but also as conflict mediators, coaches, and advisors. “Teachers are respected in the community – ironically, in a way that I think academics often aren't,” says Andrade, noting there is a tendency to see academics as elites. “It doesn't matter if you’re first in family [to graduate university], doesn't matter if your mom didn't go to high school and didn't get that opportunity.

“People suddenly think that you're ‘other’; part of a group of people who they sometimes don't trust. Like, trust is an issue these days, and I would say that's partly because of the playbook of those who are trying to denigrate education and denigrate equity initiatives, basically.”

She hopes students will realize the power they have as experts at sharing knowledge and generating reflection. Teachers hold a unique and trusted position in society, they are embedded in community, and their personal connections to their students and their families can defy the ‘other’ propaganda.

Meet the panellists

For the first panel discussion: Dr. Dirk J. Rodricks, Assistant Professor, Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, will introduce the theme discussion through critical personal connection and moderate the first panel.

Dr. Beyhan Farhadi, Assistant Professor, Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, Dr. Arlo Kempf, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning, and Dr. Marie A. Green, Lecturer, Department of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning and the Master of Teaching program, will each provide opening remarks, discuss the topic and field audience questions.

For the second panel: Doctoral student Sanzana Raham will Introduce the theme and moderate.

Doctoral candidate Willis Opondo, Devonnia Miller, MEd in Social Justice Education at OISE, and Marjaan Mashhood, teaching candidate in Master of Teaching at OISE, will take part.

Learn more about the symposium, and register, here.