Meet our Lecturers
Lecturer Biography: Dr. Elliot Tepper is a veteran professor of comparative politics and international relations at Carleton University. He regularly provides media commentary at home and abroad on a wide range of topics, providing context and deep background to the news stories of the day.
Dr. Tepper’s career in academia and public policy provides the basis for thoughtful analysis on current events, and his lifetime of teaching on-campus and through the public media provides the basis for an engaging, interactive classroom experience. An internationally recognized scholar, Dr. Tepper provides analysis and policy advice to national and international organizations.
Dr. Tepper was named the Lifelong Learning Program, inaugural Lecturer of the Year!
Lecturer biography: Barry H. Schneider is a retired clinical psychologist and professor of psychology. He has taught full-time at the University of Ottawa, the University of Toronto and Boston College as well as visiting professor appointments in 11 countries. He also has some background in film studies, including academic coursework and consulting work with independent filmmakers.
Lecturer biography: Dr. Eric Weichel has taught several popular lecture series for the Lifelong Learning Program. He received his PhD in Art History from Queen’s University (Kingston) in 2013, and completed a SSHRC-funded Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Concordia University (Montreal) in 2015. His research specialties involve the role of palace women in facilitating visual and literary cross-cultural exchanges in the courtly sphere.
Eric has curated an exhibition on eighteenth-century French prints for the Carleton University Art Gallery, and was a research assistant at the prestigious Rembrandt Specialist conference at Herstmonceux Castle, Sussex. Eric currently teaches at Nipissing University.
Lecturer biography: With an MA in Music and Culture, and over twenty years’ experience as a musician, Keith McCuaig is dedicated to all things music and art. He loves exploring the histories of popular music, especially the interconnectedness of genres, and the socio-cultural significance of music.
Keith has extensive experience in researching, writing and teaching a variety of music-related topics; he has taught courses through Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, and presented at international musicology conferences. From performing, writing, and recording, to lecturing, giving music lessons, and working with community music programs, Keith’s life and passion is music. Keith is a popular Lifelong Learning Program lecturer who has taught over a dozen offerings in the last three years.
Lecturer biography: Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich is an adjunct professor with the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University. Rebecca received her Ph.D. in 2015 from the Carleton University Department of Law and Legal Studies. She has an LL.M. and LL.B., received from Queen’s University in 2002 and 2001 respectively, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Cincinnati.
In addition to several years teaching at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, Rebecca has taught at the University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Law, and at the University of Cincinnati. She has been a columnist for the Lawyers Weekly and has authored and co-authored several legal textbooks for students and legal system practitioners, including lawyers, paralegals and police. Rebecca is a co-editor of Robson Hall Law School’s criminal law and justice blog and is a research associate with the UK’s Restorative Justice for All Institute.
Rebecca has been an Ontario lawyer since 2003. She worked in private practice from 2003 – 2009, performing a wide range of litigation work. She has worked for six years as Staff Lawyer, Law Reform and Equality, to the Canadian Bar Association, then as a Policy Counsel with the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. Subsequently, Rebecca did criminal prosecution work as a per diem Crown Attorney with the Ministry of the Attorney General in Ottawa.
Lecturer biography:Dr. Alberto Suarez Esteban Alberto was born in Asturias (NW Spain), where he developed a deep fascination for Nature. This fascination led him to a B.Sc in Biology, a M.Sc in Conservation Biology and a PhD in Ecology. While doing research and teaching for a few years in the Yukon, he realized the huge impact that agriculture has on biodiversity, and decided to start a farm and show that it is possible to grow food while supporting the health of humans and non-humans alike.
These days developing and running Nature’s Apprentice Farm takes most of Alberto’s energy and focus. Some winters, Alberto gets to teach courses at Carleton University, Algonquin College and Gaia College. Alberto enjoys whitewater canoeing, playing basketball and pickleball, rock climbing, and cross country skiing.
Lecturer biography: Dr. Anna Rumin is a native Montrealer whose identity has been shaped by the political landscape of her home province, her Russian roots, a passion for lifelong learning that has been woven both formally in academia and informally through travel, voracious reading and writing, and a love for the stories hidden in our natural world.
Her interest in narrative inquiry stems from her belief that not only do we all have a story to tell but that our stories help us to better understand who we were, who we are and who we are becoming. She has now designed fifteen memoir-based writing workshops that invite participants to think of themselves as the narrators of their lives, as seen and written through a particular lens. Anna is committed to supporting those with whom she works by providing them with opportunities to set and meet their goals. In her spare time, Anna writes short fiction and has been the recipient of numerous awards.
Lecturer biography: Angela Marcus (BA Hons/78 MA/93) has taught in Art History and Art Appreciation for over two decades. She is an independent researcher, art writer, and curator, and has taught for several years for the Lifelong Learning Program.
About the Lecturer: Samuel Chen is an esteemed educator and seasoned professional with a rich background in marketing and communications, spanning over a decade. With extensive experience working with Fortune 500 giants such as Disney, General Electric, Hello Fresh, and Johnson & Johnson, Samuel has honed his expertise in implementing innovative marketing strategies. For the past two years, he has been instrumental in leading webinars on AI in collaboration with IABC Canada and USA, reaching audiences across Maritime, Newfoundland, and Seattle. Samuel’s profound impact extends from startups to established enterprises, where his adept guidance has revolutionized marketing workflows and outreach efforts.
Particularly adept in leveraging AI and media tools, Samuel Chen is dedicated to finding tailored solutions to meet diverse client needs, ensuring transformative outcomes in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
bout the Lecturer: Samphe Ballamingie has run recruitment and marketing campaigns for a diverse set of clients, from businesses and post-secondary institutions to nonprofits and artists. Over the last year, she has worked as a Data Quality Specialist at Cohere, an AI company creating Canada’s very own ChatGPT—Coral. She is a talented content creator, having freelanced as a documentary filmmaker and writer, publishing stories of climate justice, community organizing, and sustainable urban design. Her work has been shared by the YouTube Creators for Change & United Nations Film Festival, Dazed Digital, The Breach, and more. You can access her publications, films and podcasts here (https://linktr.ee/samphe).
About the Lecturer: Rizwaan Zahid brings a wealth of experience spanning sports, education, and communications to every endeavour. With a tenure as an associate producer at TSN (The Sports Network), Rizwaan gained invaluable insights into the fast-paced world of sports media, honing communication skills and thriving in high-pressure environments. Holding a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, Rizwaan leveraged expertise to enhance learning experiences and drive innovation in education. Passion for sports, combined with communication acumen, uniquely positions Rizwaan to engage diverse audiences and convey complex ideas with clarity and impact. Whether in the studio, on the field, or in the classroom, Rizwaan is dedicated to making a positive impact and fostering meaningful connections.
About the Lecturer: Rebecca Robb is a PhD candidate in Ethics and Public Affairs at Carleton University. She holds a Bachelor of Philosophy from the University of Victoria and a Master of Philosophy from Carleton University. Her teaching philosophy centres on an interdisciplinary approach to ethics. While ethics is a branch of philosophy, Rebecca finds it can also be approached through theology, literature, history, or other academic disciplines. At its most basic, the study of ethics is the study of what makes an action morally right or wrong. Rebecca especially enjoys connecting with students new to the discipline. Her focus is always on engaging students in dialogue and encouraging them to bring their life experience to the study of philosophy.
About the Lecturer: The idea of the justice system turning on the very people it is intended to protect is terrifying, yet all too often this is a reality. After hearing about one case of wrongful conviction in undergraduate studies, Kelly Lauzon’s passion was ignited, and set on a path to examine this issue more closely. Today, Kelly is a PhD candidate and contract instructor in the department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University. Kelly is also co-host and co-creator of the podcast Real Life Wrongs.
About the Lecturer: Jack Hui Litster has worked as a performer, composer and producer throughout the past two decades. He has composed and recorded over 75 songs in genres including jazz, folk, opera, orchestral, funk, and electronic. His music has been featured in videos, podcasts, and in performance. Jack currently works as Composer-in-Residence for both OperOttawa and Voices Dance Project. Jack’s debut solo album Shining Suns was released in 2022 and is available on Spotify. A graduate of Carleton’s Master of Arts in Music and Culture program, Jack currently works as a Contract Instructor in Carleton’s music department, where he teaches courses on popular music and film music. Hear more at jackhuilitster.com.
About the Lecturer: Dr. Monia Mazigh is an academic, author and human rights advocate. She was the former National Coordinator of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group.
Mazigh was born and raised in Tunisia and immigrated to Canada in 1991. She was catapulted onto the public stage in 2002 when her husband, Maher Arar, was deported to Syria where he was tortured and held without charge for over a year. She campaigned tirelessly for his release.
Mazigh holds a PhD in finance from McGill University. In 2008, she published a memoir about her pursuit of justice, Hope and Despair, shortlisted for the Ottawa Book Award. In 2014, she published her first novel, Mirrors and Mirages. It was short listed for the Book Trillium Award and for the Ottawa Book Award. Her second novel, Hope Has Two Daughters, was published in January 2017 by Anansi House.
About the Lecturer: Enoh Akpan brings a diverse and rich background in finance, operations, and entrepreneurship to the educational realm, marked by over seven years of experience managing FOREX sales, tax liabilities, and leading significant projects. With a Master’s in Entrepreneurship from the Technology Innovation Management ‘TIM’ Program, Enoh’s research has been recognized for its impact, earning a nomination for the 2023 TIM Project Impact Award. As the innovative mind behind iLernt, Enoh secured the Nicol Entrepreneurship Grant, developing problem and project-based learning platforms for graduates in Nigeria and Africa. Since May 2023, Enoh has applied his expertise as an instructional designer and AI-powered course developer for the TIM department, enhancing courses on technology, digital innovation, and prompt engineering for business and also a guest instructor to four TIM courses in Winter 2024 Term. His contributions extend to the Sprott School of Business as a member of the Faculty Showcase Advisory Board, focusing on the AI Business Catalyst Project, and teaching in the Mini Course Program at Carleton University. Enoh is also the founder of StratInsyghts in Ontario, leveraging AI and strategic insights for sustainable business innovation. His professional credentials include being a Certified Scrum Master and an Associate Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), underscoring a commitment to excellence in both financial and innovative practices.
About the Lecturer: Amanda Chafee is a PhD student at Carleton University, who has had a life long love of mathematics. Engaging with the math community throughout her university career, Amanda has strived to contribute to and support this community. Throughout post secondary studies, Amanda was a part of many organizations including Mathsoc, the Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Student Society, and the Graduate Student Association. From tutoring to teaching math courses, Amanda has a love of engaging the community in various math topics, with a focus in discrete math. Amanda was an instructor of the life long learning program previously, and looks forward to participating again.
About the Lecturer: Milana Nikolko, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor at the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (EURUS), Carleton University and a Sessional Instructor, at the Department of Political Studies, University of Manitoba, Canada. From 2005 to 2014 Nikolko was an associate Professor of Political Science (Docent) at V.Vernadsky Taurida National University (Ukraine). In 2008 was appointed as a visiting professor at Political Science Department, Valdosta State University (USA).
She has published extensively on topics of Ukraine’s nation-building process, mediation of grey zone conflicts (case Ukraine), and political narratives of victimization among ethnic minorities, migrants and diaspora groups from the post-Soviet countries. The full bio could be found here: https://carleton.ca/eurus/people/nikolko-milana/
About the Lecturer: Jennifer McGuire is an essayist and memoir writer with 20 years of experience. Her personal essays have appeared in publications like Good Housekeeping, the Globe and Mail, Canadian Family, and Parents, and her lifestyle column “Halfway to Happy” was syndicated from 2004-2014. A mom of four sons, Jen’s 2021 book Nest: Letting Go From Italy, France, & Ireland sold thousands of copies in Canada and the U.S., and her book of personal essays Poor Thing is scheduled for release in December 2024. Jen has been leading personal writing workshops across Ontario for 15 years.
About the Lecturer: A native of Naples, Italy, Carla Bonora has a Masters in History and Philosophy from the University of Naples. She is an experienced teacher, having worked both in Naples and here as an Italian teacher. She has taught Italian for Travellers successfully at the Carleton University Lifelong Learning Program. She has also taught Language and Culture at “Retraite en Action” in Ottawa. She is a journalist, and a correspondent for “ Il Cittadino Canadese” an Italian newspaper of Montreal. In the past she worked at the European Commission in Brussels, as well as for “Il Mattino”, the main newspaper of Naples. She also worked as an Ottawa correspondent for the Toronto based Italian-Canadian newspaper “Il Corriere Canadese”. Finally, Carla is a member of the Board of Ottawa’s “Dante Alighieri Society”, is a passionate traveller and loves to cook Italian food.
About the Lecturer: Maria Martin has studied and worked in the Arts for many years. She holds a Master’s Degree in the History of Art from Queen’s University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Carleton University. Maria has recently retired as a Manager with the federal government, and previously worked at the Canada Council for the Arts as an Art Consultant at the Council’s Art Bank, and as an Education Officer and Guide at the National Gallery of Canada.
About the Lecturer: Mike Brklacich has studied society and climate relationships for +40 years, at the University of Guelph (1980-1986), Agri-food and Agriculture Canada (1980-1992) and in Carleton’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (1992-2021). He was part of the first wave of Canadian researchers to make the case that global climate change ought to be directly linked to broader issues of social and economic transformations in the developing and industrialized world. His research, in Canada and internationally, focused on improving livelihoods in stressed rural communities. He also played a leading role in the development of international research programs on Human Security and on Food Systems, as well as assisting with the development and advancement of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change. He contributed to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change over a 15-year period and was part of the international team that was co-awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Prior to retiring from Carleton in January 2022, he was Chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (2006-12), an Associate Dean (Graduate Programs, Research and International) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (2015-21) and a Chancellor’s Professor (2014-19). More info about Mike is available at https://carleton.ca/geography/people/brklacichmike/
About the Lecturer: Michael Dawson holds a PhD in European History from the University of Toronto. As a career Foreign Service Officer, he served in New Delhi, Moscow, Washington and at the Headquarters of the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado Springs. In Ottawa, his principal files included Canada-USA bilateral relations, international security issues including NATO policy and arms control, and Canada’s support for the Northern Irish peace process.
About the Lecturer: Sebastian Angelosante is a recent graduate. He received his Master’s in English literature from the University of Ottawa (2024). During his studies, he focused on queer representation throughout British and American literature. He also worked with the university’s Fulcrum newspaper and collaborated with his professors to lead engaging discussions on various works of horror and science fiction. In his free time, he enjoys reading and watching all things horror and/or queer.
About the Lecturer: Anne Warburton creates dynamic fibre art from repurposed materials and is fascinated about how creativity helps our own personal journeys. Lockdowns during Covid-19 led her to learning new ways to repair clothing and textiles through stitch, paint, and other methods, while keeping these items out of landfill, and experiencing the added benefits of how such practices are good for our well being and mental health. Anne is trained in the expressive arts therapies and learning facilitation, and spent her career in event management. She is currently working on certification as a Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapist.
About the Lecturer: Luz-Patricia Lopez is an experienced instructor with more than 20 years of teaching Spanish to different demographic groups for the public and private sector in Canada. Originally from Mexico City, she holds a post-degree diploma “Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language’’ from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and Master’s degree in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Ottawa. She is passionate about incorporating cultural aspects into her classes to make them more enjoyable.
About the Lecturer: Sasha Valgardsson is actively pursuing a Ph.D. in Management, with a specialization in International Business, at Carleton University. Sasha’s current research projects explore issues related to multiculturality and diversity, specifically looking at the unique characteristics of enculturated biculturals and how they can contribute to organizations. Her work is driven by a desire to explore how cultural and cognitive influences may lead to fostering openness and inclusion in multicultural environments.
About the Lecturer: James Cox – In 2001, I concluded my 35-year operationally oriented military career running the NATO military strategic intelligence organization in Mons, Belgium, that supported the campaign to bomb Serbia and occupy Kosovo. I have been engaged in advanced study and research of the intelligence function ever since.
From 2004-20011 I served as an analyst on House of Commons and Senate committees studying national security and defence issues, and supported the Joint Committee on Afghanistan and Canadian parliamentarians of the NATO Parliamentary Association. From 2007-2023 I taught graduate level conflict management, civil-military relations, and intelligence courses at Carleton University and for Wilfrid Laurier University. I founded the Canadian Intelligence Network (CIN) in 2021, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to champion and promote intelligence education in Canada. I also support the Canadian Military Intelligence Association (CMIA) as principal planner for its annual Canadian Intelligence Conference (CANIC), the largest intelligence professional development event in Canada. My current research involves the unified and interdisciplinary study of intelligence as a fundamental human biological function that provides the root of the intelligence function replicated in social groups.
About the Lecturer: Colin Cordner, PhD completed his doctorate in political science at Carleton University in 2016, where he is currently a lecturer and the Buddhist chaplain. He has been practising meditation within the Buddhist tradition since 2006, and has been a meditation instructor since 2017. His path also often takes him through the domains of political philosophy, the philosophy of history, and the philosophy of science – particularly the philosophy of classical Greece. He splits his remaining leisure between various other Muses, especially those three charged with dance, poetry, and theatre. Also child-rearing.
About the Lecturer: Sierra Peskett is a PhD Candidate in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology in the Department of Chemistry. Her current research investigates human exposure to PFAS and interactions between PFAS and the gut microbiome. Sierra has previously presented her research work at several conferences and has won awards for her presentations. She is passionate about her work and enjoys opportunities to share her knowledge with others.
About the Lecturer: Lorianne Dueck – Public Engagement at International Justice Mission Canada. She has lived in Emo, Ottawa, Madrid, and is now based in Mississauga.
Lorianne has a Bachelor in International Business and has worked in academic institutions, tourism, corporate and non-profit organizations. Through these experiences, she discovered the impact that businesses, non-profits and advocates can have when they tackle important issues together. This pushed her to pursue a career that rallies Canadians to prioritize community protection and equal access to justice services for survivors of violence.
When she is not developing advocacy campaigns and briefing documents, you can find her outside in nature or trying new recipes with friends. Lorianne is grateful to be a part of the Lifelong Learning Program and looks forward to connecting with you.