African Black Caribbean, Latin American, Southeast Asian and First Generation* undergraduate students will discuss research with involved upper year student Mentor Navigators, and relatable librarians and professors from a variety of disciplines. Discussion topics may include: how to get your start in research, tips for approaching faculty; how to choose a research question; information about research funding; how to get your research published; and accessibility and other systemic challenges to being a research student. *(First Generation students are those whose parents did not complete a post-secondary degree in Canada).
Guest Bios
Julie Hannaford is Deputy Chief Librarian, University of Toronto Libraries, and was a first generation student and will share the challenges and learning that came from that experience. She has leadership and management responsibilities, and can speak to library supports for research. She is committed to professional development and mentoring of all library staff via a variety of initiatives, including the UTL-wide mentoring program. With colleagues, Julie is working to develop a holistic program to encourage greater diversity of staff, and ensure all feel welcome to library spaces.
Dr. Janelle Joseph is an award-winning Assistant Professor in Critical Studies of Race in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at U of T. She is Founder and Director of the Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-racism in Sport (IDEAS) Research Lab and author/co-editor of three (3) books related to race, sport, education, and Black communities in Canada. Dr. Joseph is a Faculty Advisor to this program.
Dr. David Roberts is the Director of the Urban Studies Program and an Associate Professor. His research generally focuses on the power dynamics in city-building and the ways in which historically marginalized groups are excluded or included in these processes. Most recently, he joined a team of researchers in Toronto, São Paulo and Brighton, UK to study the way in which racialized communities organized to fill the gaps of government services with regards to public health and food sovereignty during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Roberts is a Faculty Advisor to this program.
Dr. Suzi Lima is an Assistant Professor and the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Linguistics. Her work integrates theoretical and experimental research in the field of cross-linguistic semantics. She has Black and Indigenous Brazilian heritage; was a first generation student; and she is happy to share her experiences and help students think about strategies and resources that can support them as they navigate university. In addition to her work in the Department of Linguistics, Suzi is also a certified yoga instructor and facilitates classes at UofT.
Dr. Kris Sanghyun Kim is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus where he teaches general and analytical chemistry courses. All his research projects are currently co-designed and co-led by undergraduate research students. Kris’ team’s research interests involve designing and studying the impact of new pedagogies in chemistry (e.g., designing new laboratory-based experiments or virtual resources) as well as addressing real-world challenges through the application of analytical chemistry techniques to support local community partners (e.g., supporting the Toronto Zoo with sustainability initiatives and UTSC Campus Farm in assessing soil contamination).
Dr. Reid B. Locklin is Associate Professor of Christianity and the Intellectual Tradition, a joint appointment with St Michael’s College and the Department for the Study of Religion. His research focuses on a range of issues in Comparative Theology and Hindu-Christian Studies, and he also writes on the scholarship of teaching and learning in theology and religion. He grew up in Athens, Georgia, completed a BA in Humanities at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a MTS from Boston University, and a PhD in Theology from Boston College in 2003. Reid has taught at U of T since 2004.
How to participate