A warm welcome to the 2022-2023 academic year for our new and returning undergraduate and graduate students, colleagues, and friends. Despite the continuing unusual and uncertain circumstances, it is important to acknowledge our successes and share in the excitement of our upcoming events.
First, a note of gratitude to all for the kindness and patience extended to me as I assume this new role as Director of our newly named Feminist Institute of Social Transformation.
New logo for the Feminist Institute of Social Transformation
The name change has been long overdue and signals our past and imagines new feminist futures. It captures the values, ideas, and aspirations guiding our several curricular changes over the last few years. Our institute is not only the home of Women’s and Gender Studies but Sexuality Studies and Disability Studies, which joined the Institute in 2018, as well as Critical Race Studies which was launched in 2021. We sought to not only recognize the historic but also continuing harms of systemic oppression and social injustice, but also the possibilities for incremental and collective social change.
We extend a sincere invitation to our upcoming events, including our returning Feminist Futures Lecture Series and annual student conference.
Please join me in congratulating our incredible 2020-2022 graduates – we are so proud of you!
Our institute is made stronger by our students and esteemed faculty who make significant contributions to our research, teaching, and learning successes.
Dr. Manjeet Birk received the Carleton University Experiential Learning Fund (CUELF) and the Teaching and Learning Services (TLS), which she will use to incorporate arts-based pedagogies as an embodied practice of learning to promote student mental health. Dr. Fady Shanouda was awarded the SSHRC Explore Research grant for his project titled “Student, Staff, and Faculty Distress and Suicidality within the Neoliberal University.” Dr. Megan Rivers-Moore received a FASS Early-Career Research Award. Professor Rivers-Moore’s project is called “Sex work and mutual aid in Latin America and the Caribbean.” Finally, it is with great pleasure that I announce the promotion of Professor Patrizia Gentile to full professor effective July 1, 2022.
Finally, I wish to affirm the Feminist Institute of Social Transformation remains committed to compassion and flexibility. We need to work together to ensure that all our campus spaces are as accessible as possible to all students, TAs, and instructors, including those who may be disabled in various ways, those with compromised immune systems, and students who may live with and/or be caring for others who have compromised immune systems and therefore are at greater risk of severe illness or death. Masking is strongly recommended in all FIST classrooms and spaces, as physical distancing is not possible. If you’re sick, stay home and rest.
Wishing you all a wonderful academic year ahead and please follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Dr. Amrita Hari
Director, Feminist Institute of Social Transformation (FIST)