MONDAY
October 21, 2024
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Welcome breakfast at Auditorium entrance
10 a.m.
Karen White: Anxiety has increased! What can we do about it?
synopsis
People are far more anxious now than they were even 15 years ago, and on average, young people are the most impacted. It's harder and more stressful for students to make oral presentations, manage stress around tests and assignments, to date, to participate in activities and to make friends! This talk will present what we know about why this is occurring, and discuss ways we can reduce our own anxiety, and help others, too.
biography
Karen White did her undergraduate studies at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, then her graduate studies at the University of Manitoba. She has been teaching at Vanier for over 20 years, and is a practicing clinical psychologist as well. She is particularly interested in understanding the counter-intuitive and counter-productive ways people behave.
synopsis
People are far more anxious now than they were even 15 years ago, and on average, young people are the most impacted. It's harder and more stressful for students to make oral presentations, manage stress around tests and assignments, to date, to participate in activities and to make friends! This talk will present what we know about why this is occurring, and discuss ways we can reduce our own anxiety, and help others, too.
biography
Karen White did her undergraduate studies at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, then her graduate studies at the University of Manitoba. She has been teaching at Vanier for over 20 years, and is a practicing clinical psychologist as well. She is particularly interested in understanding the counter-intuitive and counter-productive ways people behave.
12:00 noon
Tara Gold: Students and Social Movements: Palestinian Liberation and Divestment Activism
synopsis
2024 has witnessed a historic wave of student activism that continues to make international headlines. Using historical examples of student movements for divestment, this talk will explore how and why these tactics have been employed by students, and the role of student activism within social movements more broadly. Focusing on ongoing campaigns and the historic1980s wave of student anti-apartheid activism, it will use theories from work on social movements, critical theory and international relations to assess the 2024 wave of student encampments and how we can understand it.
biography
Tara Gold is a graduate student at McGill University (History). She is interested in the dynamics of anti-colonial social movements and is currently working on a thesis on anti-apartheid activism within universities. She uses interdisciplinary analytical approaches to connect cultural and collective means of memory formation to analyses of geopolitical change processes. She completed her undergraduate degree in History at Edinburgh University and is originally from London, UK. She is also a member of the McGill Institute for the Study of International Development.
synopsis
2024 has witnessed a historic wave of student activism that continues to make international headlines. Using historical examples of student movements for divestment, this talk will explore how and why these tactics have been employed by students, and the role of student activism within social movements more broadly. Focusing on ongoing campaigns and the historic1980s wave of student anti-apartheid activism, it will use theories from work on social movements, critical theory and international relations to assess the 2024 wave of student encampments and how we can understand it.
biography
Tara Gold is a graduate student at McGill University (History). She is interested in the dynamics of anti-colonial social movements and is currently working on a thesis on anti-apartheid activism within universities. She uses interdisciplinary analytical approaches to connect cultural and collective means of memory formation to analyses of geopolitical change processes. She completed her undergraduate degree in History at Edinburgh University and is originally from London, UK. She is also a member of the McGill Institute for the Study of International Development.
2:30 p.m.
Simone Samuels: Body positivity in a weight-hating world
synopsis
Based on personal lived experience and emerging research, this lecture will cover the anti-Black origins of fatphobia, the harm of weight stigma and the merits of body positivity, body neutrality and body liberation in crafting body image. This talk will also look at ways to disrupt the systemic oppression that fatphobia imposes.
biography
Simone Samuels, B.A. (Hons.), J.D., B.C.L. is a consultant in equity, diversity and inclusion and a weight-neutral personal trainer/group fitness instructor.
She has held senior management positions in equity, diversity and inclusion in the federal government, non-profit and post-secondary education sectors. A graduate of York University, Glendon Campus and McGill University's Faculty of Law, she currently works as an Investigator and EDI Specialist at the Ontario College of Teachers.
A lawyer by training and a fitness professional, she has consulted for law corporations and fitness organizations in Canada, US and the UK and has delivered courses, classes and talks on weight stigma, fatphobia, anti-racism, allyship and anti-oppression.
Simone is a canfitpro-certified fitness instructor specialist and personal training specialist and has taught a variety of formats in a variety of gyms, community centres and fitness centres, both online and in person, big box and small, for almost ten years. She is also a Canadian Aquafitness Leadership Alliance certified aquafit instructor and a canfitpro PRO TRAINER. Simone was the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reviewer of the canfitpro Personal Training Specialist textbook, helping to create an inclusive curriculum for future personal trainers in Canada. She has won multiple awards and commendations in the fitness industry, the most notable one being named as a top three finalist in canfitpro’s Fitness Professional of the Year Award.
Simone is a tireless advocate for making the fitness and wider world a more inclusive place.
synopsis
Based on personal lived experience and emerging research, this lecture will cover the anti-Black origins of fatphobia, the harm of weight stigma and the merits of body positivity, body neutrality and body liberation in crafting body image. This talk will also look at ways to disrupt the systemic oppression that fatphobia imposes.
biography
Simone Samuels, B.A. (Hons.), J.D., B.C.L. is a consultant in equity, diversity and inclusion and a weight-neutral personal trainer/group fitness instructor.
She has held senior management positions in equity, diversity and inclusion in the federal government, non-profit and post-secondary education sectors. A graduate of York University, Glendon Campus and McGill University's Faculty of Law, she currently works as an Investigator and EDI Specialist at the Ontario College of Teachers.
A lawyer by training and a fitness professional, she has consulted for law corporations and fitness organizations in Canada, US and the UK and has delivered courses, classes and talks on weight stigma, fatphobia, anti-racism, allyship and anti-oppression.
Simone is a canfitpro-certified fitness instructor specialist and personal training specialist and has taught a variety of formats in a variety of gyms, community centres and fitness centres, both online and in person, big box and small, for almost ten years. She is also a Canadian Aquafitness Leadership Alliance certified aquafit instructor and a canfitpro PRO TRAINER. Simone was the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion reviewer of the canfitpro Personal Training Specialist textbook, helping to create an inclusive curriculum for future personal trainers in Canada. She has won multiple awards and commendations in the fitness industry, the most notable one being named as a top three finalist in canfitpro’s Fitness Professional of the Year Award.
Simone is a tireless advocate for making the fitness and wider world a more inclusive place.
4:00 p.m.
Eleni Dikeakos and Mischa Fernando: Painted Perceptions: How Does Wearing Different Amounts of Makeup Affect Social Interactions?
synopsis
Our research examines the complex relationship young women have with makeup and its impact on social interactions. By observing individuals in various settings—educational, professional, and casual—we explored how different levels of makeup use (none, minimal, and heavy) influence perceptions and social dynamics. We found that makeup significantly shapes how young women are perceived, with varying reactions depending on the amount applied. This study provides insights into how societal expectations of beauty, through the use of makeup, affect daily interactions.
biographies
My name is Eleni Dikeakos, and I am an 18-year-old second-year student at Vanier College, enrolled in the Honours Commerce program. I am deeply passionate about English literature, and hope to pursue my studies in the field. In my free time, I enjoy playing football and diving into a good novel. This research project reflects my interest in human behaviour, exploring how societal norms and perceptions influence self-expression.
I am Mischa Fernando, an honours student in the Social Science program at Vanier College. I am fascinated by psychology and enjoy understanding why we act the way we do. Being part of research projects allows me to dive deep into questions that spark my curiosity and contribute to conversations that matter. Outside the classroom, I value meeting new people and learning from their diverse experiences, allowing me to gain different perspectives and build meaningful connections. I am all about making a positive impact through my studies and look for ways to learn and grow.
synopsis
Our research examines the complex relationship young women have with makeup and its impact on social interactions. By observing individuals in various settings—educational, professional, and casual—we explored how different levels of makeup use (none, minimal, and heavy) influence perceptions and social dynamics. We found that makeup significantly shapes how young women are perceived, with varying reactions depending on the amount applied. This study provides insights into how societal expectations of beauty, through the use of makeup, affect daily interactions.
biographies
My name is Eleni Dikeakos, and I am an 18-year-old second-year student at Vanier College, enrolled in the Honours Commerce program. I am deeply passionate about English literature, and hope to pursue my studies in the field. In my free time, I enjoy playing football and diving into a good novel. This research project reflects my interest in human behaviour, exploring how societal norms and perceptions influence self-expression.
I am Mischa Fernando, an honours student in the Social Science program at Vanier College. I am fascinated by psychology and enjoy understanding why we act the way we do. Being part of research projects allows me to dive deep into questions that spark my curiosity and contribute to conversations that matter. Outside the classroom, I value meeting new people and learning from their diverse experiences, allowing me to gain different perspectives and build meaningful connections. I am all about making a positive impact through my studies and look for ways to learn and grow.
TUESDAY
October 22, 2024
10:00 a.m. (B-325)
Neil Caplan: Deadlocked: the Israel-Palestine conflict: contested histories, competing narratives and unwinnable core arguments
synopsis
Is it possible to resolve the 140-year-old Israel-Palestine conflict that exploded a year ago into yet another horrific, still unfinished, war? A careful examination of the troubled history of two peoples—each seeking control and self-determination over the same small territory—would suggest that a solution is highly unlikely. In this workshop, Neil Caplan draws upon his book, The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories (2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2019), to probe the many factors that have resulted in continuing deadlock, insecurity and increasingly bloody spirals of violence. Those seeking reconciliation or peace need to make honest assessments of the very real obstacles caused by the parties’ contested histories, competing narratives and unwinnable core arguments. These obstacles will be the focus of this presentation.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. A short handout will be sent to enrolled participants ahead of the workshop to help prepare for discussion.
Registration is required: (email [email protected])
biography
NEIL CAPLAN taught in the Humanities Department of Vanier College from 1973 until his retirement in 2008 and has offered courses in the History Departments of Queens University (2002) and Concordia University (2001-2007). He has written widely on the history of the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. Among his publications are The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories (2nd ed. 2019); Futile Diplomacy: A History of Arab-Israeli Negotiations, 1913-1956 (4 volumes). He is also co-author (with Laura Zittrain Eisenberg) of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: Patterns, Problems, Possibilities (3rd ed. 2025) and co-editor (with Yaakov Sharett) of My Struggle for Peace: The Diary of Moshe Sharett, 1953–1956 (2019).
synopsis
Is it possible to resolve the 140-year-old Israel-Palestine conflict that exploded a year ago into yet another horrific, still unfinished, war? A careful examination of the troubled history of two peoples—each seeking control and self-determination over the same small territory—would suggest that a solution is highly unlikely. In this workshop, Neil Caplan draws upon his book, The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories (2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2019), to probe the many factors that have resulted in continuing deadlock, insecurity and increasingly bloody spirals of violence. Those seeking reconciliation or peace need to make honest assessments of the very real obstacles caused by the parties’ contested histories, competing narratives and unwinnable core arguments. These obstacles will be the focus of this presentation.
Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. A short handout will be sent to enrolled participants ahead of the workshop to help prepare for discussion.
Registration is required: (email [email protected])
biography
NEIL CAPLAN taught in the Humanities Department of Vanier College from 1973 until his retirement in 2008 and has offered courses in the History Departments of Queens University (2002) and Concordia University (2001-2007). He has written widely on the history of the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts. Among his publications are The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories (2nd ed. 2019); Futile Diplomacy: A History of Arab-Israeli Negotiations, 1913-1956 (4 volumes). He is also co-author (with Laura Zittrain Eisenberg) of Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace: Patterns, Problems, Possibilities (3rd ed. 2025) and co-editor (with Yaakov Sharett) of My Struggle for Peace: The Diary of Moshe Sharett, 1953–1956 (2019).
1:00 p.m.
Courtney Montour: screening and discussion of “Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again”
synopsis
Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again shares the powerful story of Mary Two-Axe Earley, who fought for more than two decades to challenge sex discrimination against First Nations women embedded in Canada's Indian Act and became a key figure in Canada's women's rights movement.
Using never-before-seen archival footage and audio recordings, Mohawk filmmaker Courtney Montour engages in a deeply personal conversation with the late Mohawk woman who challenged sexist and genocidal government policies that stripped First Nations women and children of their Indian status when they married non-Indian men.
Montour speaks with Cree activist Nellie Carlson, Mary's lifelong friend and co-founder of Indian Rights for Indian Women, and meets with three generations in Mary's kitchen in Kahnawà:ke to honour the legacy of a woman who galvanized a national network of allies to help restore Indian status to thousands of First Nations women and children.
biography
Courtney Montour is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kahnawake. She works in the documentary film and digital media fields exploring issues of Indigenous identity. She directed, wrote and co-produced Flat Rocks (2017), a short documentary revealing how the development of Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway forever changed the landscape and the livelihood of the Kahnawake Mohawk community. Her first documentary Sex Spirit Strength won Best of Festival and the Emerging Filmmaker award at the 2016 Yorkton Film Festival. She has directed episodes for several documentary series including Mohawk Ironworkers (2016) and Skindigenous (2021). Courtney co-created and coordinated McGill University’s Indigenous Field Studies course, held in Kahnawake, for 8 years. Passionate about educating, the course surfaces the intergenerational effects of colonization and Canadian policies on contemporary Indigenous society.
synopsis
Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again shares the powerful story of Mary Two-Axe Earley, who fought for more than two decades to challenge sex discrimination against First Nations women embedded in Canada's Indian Act and became a key figure in Canada's women's rights movement.
Using never-before-seen archival footage and audio recordings, Mohawk filmmaker Courtney Montour engages in a deeply personal conversation with the late Mohawk woman who challenged sexist and genocidal government policies that stripped First Nations women and children of their Indian status when they married non-Indian men.
Montour speaks with Cree activist Nellie Carlson, Mary's lifelong friend and co-founder of Indian Rights for Indian Women, and meets with three generations in Mary's kitchen in Kahnawà:ke to honour the legacy of a woman who galvanized a national network of allies to help restore Indian status to thousands of First Nations women and children.
biography
Courtney Montour is Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kahnawake. She works in the documentary film and digital media fields exploring issues of Indigenous identity. She directed, wrote and co-produced Flat Rocks (2017), a short documentary revealing how the development of Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway forever changed the landscape and the livelihood of the Kahnawake Mohawk community. Her first documentary Sex Spirit Strength won Best of Festival and the Emerging Filmmaker award at the 2016 Yorkton Film Festival. She has directed episodes for several documentary series including Mohawk Ironworkers (2016) and Skindigenous (2021). Courtney co-created and coordinated McGill University’s Indigenous Field Studies course, held in Kahnawake, for 8 years. Passionate about educating, the course surfaces the intergenerational effects of colonization and Canadian policies on contemporary Indigenous society.
4:00 p.m.
Julius Grey: language laws in Quebec
synopsis
I intend to speak about the false premises on which the government bases its language legislation. I believe there is no danger to French and no justification for systematic unilingualism.
biography
Julius Grey is a renowned lawyer with more than 40 years of experience and practice in several areas of law. He received his education from McGill and Oxford Universities. He was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1974.
He was a member of the Faculty of Law at McGill University from 1977 to 2002, and taught at the Université de Montréal and the Canadian Human Rights School in Charlottetown. He was president of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation from 1985 to 1988. In 1984, he published a text on immigration law in Canada. He continues to publish articles on law and on current topics of general interest.
In 2004, Me Grey received, for his entire career, the Barreau du Québec Medal, which is the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec Bar.
In 2014, Me Grey published a book together with Geneviève Nootens,“Julius Grey. Conversations with Geneviève Nootens “in which he shares details of his life and personal philosophy. In 2019, he published Capitalism and the Alternatives.
Me Grey has pleaded the second most cases in the Supreme Court of Canada. He has gone to the highest court in the country more than 50 times.
synopsis
I intend to speak about the false premises on which the government bases its language legislation. I believe there is no danger to French and no justification for systematic unilingualism.
biography
Julius Grey is a renowned lawyer with more than 40 years of experience and practice in several areas of law. He received his education from McGill and Oxford Universities. He was admitted to the Quebec Bar in 1974.
He was a member of the Faculty of Law at McGill University from 1977 to 2002, and taught at the Université de Montréal and the Canadian Human Rights School in Charlottetown. He was president of the Canadian Human Rights Foundation from 1985 to 1988. In 1984, he published a text on immigration law in Canada. He continues to publish articles on law and on current topics of general interest.
In 2004, Me Grey received, for his entire career, the Barreau du Québec Medal, which is the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec Bar.
In 2014, Me Grey published a book together with Geneviève Nootens,“Julius Grey. Conversations with Geneviève Nootens “in which he shares details of his life and personal philosophy. In 2019, he published Capitalism and the Alternatives.
Me Grey has pleaded the second most cases in the Supreme Court of Canada. He has gone to the highest court in the country more than 50 times.
WEDNESDAY
October 23, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Atna Njock: Le langage des tons de la musique Bantou et Baka"/ phrases de son en rythme, mouvement, chant, dialogue, théâtre mimé, poésie
synopsis
Un atelier de rencontre créative et interdisciplinaire fondee sur "MBOK HOP MAKIN" (langage des tons), une tradition africaine ancestrale utilisant des instruments modernes et traditionnels (comme le Nkuu). Les participants sont invites a emmener un objet, un costume, un texte, un instrument s'ils veulent.
biography
Musicien d'origine Camerounaise et Petit-fils d'un chef traditionnel, Atna Njock est héritier porteur garant de la tradition Mbok hop makin - langage des tons : une sagesse ancestrale Africaine de communication par le son et le rythme basée sur des codes rythmiques intégrées dans les phrases de son qui alignent des énergies, des fréquences et des vibrations électromagnétiques. Transmise depuis des millénaires, elle est utilisée pour faire des messages codés, des rituels sociaux, des séances musicales festives et thérapeutiques. Elle permet la revitalisation physique et vibratoire à l'aide du pouvoir quantique du son.
Multiinstrumentiste, chanteur, guitariste, conférencier, spécialiste en sono thérapie ancestrale, maître joueur du Tambour Nkuu, il est l'un des piliers de la musique Africaine et world jazz depuis les années 90 au Québec. Aujourd'hui, Il réaffirme son style distinct et novateur de musique Africaine world jazz Bantou/Baka (pygmées) du Cameroun issue du Mbok hop makin-Langage des tons, avec les variétés autochtones et contemporaines du monde. Il partage son art et la tradition Mbok hop makin - langage des tons grâce aux arts de la scène, à l'éducation et à la médiation culturelle fondée sur la science langage des tons (connexion, éveil, équilibre des énergies, interculturalité).
synopsis
Un atelier de rencontre créative et interdisciplinaire fondee sur "MBOK HOP MAKIN" (langage des tons), une tradition africaine ancestrale utilisant des instruments modernes et traditionnels (comme le Nkuu). Les participants sont invites a emmener un objet, un costume, un texte, un instrument s'ils veulent.
biography
Musicien d'origine Camerounaise et Petit-fils d'un chef traditionnel, Atna Njock est héritier porteur garant de la tradition Mbok hop makin - langage des tons : une sagesse ancestrale Africaine de communication par le son et le rythme basée sur des codes rythmiques intégrées dans les phrases de son qui alignent des énergies, des fréquences et des vibrations électromagnétiques. Transmise depuis des millénaires, elle est utilisée pour faire des messages codés, des rituels sociaux, des séances musicales festives et thérapeutiques. Elle permet la revitalisation physique et vibratoire à l'aide du pouvoir quantique du son.
Multiinstrumentiste, chanteur, guitariste, conférencier, spécialiste en sono thérapie ancestrale, maître joueur du Tambour Nkuu, il est l'un des piliers de la musique Africaine et world jazz depuis les années 90 au Québec. Aujourd'hui, Il réaffirme son style distinct et novateur de musique Africaine world jazz Bantou/Baka (pygmées) du Cameroun issue du Mbok hop makin-Langage des tons, avec les variétés autochtones et contemporaines du monde. Il partage son art et la tradition Mbok hop makin - langage des tons grâce aux arts de la scène, à l'éducation et à la médiation culturelle fondée sur la science langage des tons (connexion, éveil, équilibre des énergies, interculturalité).
12:30 p.m.
Student Quiz Show, ( organized by Eric Lamoureux, moderated by Miles DeNora )
2:00 p.m.
Alessandra Renzi: The history of media activism and what we can learn from it today
synopsis
In a world flooded with social media and 24/7 news, media activism is more powerful than ever. But this isn’t new—activists have been using media to spark revolutions and challenge injustice for decades. From the underground newspapers of the Civil Rights Movement to viral hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, media has always been the megaphone for change. In this talk, we’ll dive into the fascinating history of media activism, explore its impact on the world, and discover why your voice is essential in today’s fight for a better future.
biography
Dr. Alessandra Renzi believes in building strong community networks through community-led research and media co-creation. As a media “artivist” and researcher she has worked with media collective insu^tv in Italy, the Alt Media Center in Toronto, the Urban Poor Consortium in Jakarta and Parc Extension Anti Eviction Mapping in Montreal. She is Associate Professor of Critical Media Production in the Department of Communication Studies, Concordia University, where her research-creation explores the intersection of media, art and civic engagement. [Alessandra’s latest book is Hacked Transmissions: Technology and Connective Activism in Italy (University of Minnesota Press, 2020). Her current research investigates how society’s increasing reliance on platforms, algorithms and AI is changing urban landscapes and community organizing alike. She is the PI of a Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant titled "On the Margins of the Platform Economy: Community-led Responses to Technical Gentrification," with focus on Montreal's Parc Extension neighbourhood.
synopsis
In a world flooded with social media and 24/7 news, media activism is more powerful than ever. But this isn’t new—activists have been using media to spark revolutions and challenge injustice for decades. From the underground newspapers of the Civil Rights Movement to viral hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, media has always been the megaphone for change. In this talk, we’ll dive into the fascinating history of media activism, explore its impact on the world, and discover why your voice is essential in today’s fight for a better future.
biography
Dr. Alessandra Renzi believes in building strong community networks through community-led research and media co-creation. As a media “artivist” and researcher she has worked with media collective insu^tv in Italy, the Alt Media Center in Toronto, the Urban Poor Consortium in Jakarta and Parc Extension Anti Eviction Mapping in Montreal. She is Associate Professor of Critical Media Production in the Department of Communication Studies, Concordia University, where her research-creation explores the intersection of media, art and civic engagement. [Alessandra’s latest book is Hacked Transmissions: Technology and Connective Activism in Italy (University of Minnesota Press, 2020). Her current research investigates how society’s increasing reliance on platforms, algorithms and AI is changing urban landscapes and community organizing alike. She is the PI of a Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant titled "On the Margins of the Platform Economy: Community-led Responses to Technical Gentrification," with focus on Montreal's Parc Extension neighbourhood.
4:00 p.m.
Miles DeNora: Ron Charbonneau Memorial Lecture on "The twenty-five-year New York Times war against Hillary Clinton: How the “Newspaper of Record” made Donald Trump president"
synopsis
What happened? How is it possible that Donald Trump was elected president of the United States? As the election of 2016 was remarkably close, many reasons can be offered to explain Trump’s election. This talk will make the argument that the New York Times, with its incessantly negative, false and misleading coverage of Hillary Clinton, was ultimately the key ingredient in what transpired.
biography
Miles DeNora teaches History at Vanier College. He has not yet recovered emotionally and spiritually from the night of November 8th, 2016.
synopsis
What happened? How is it possible that Donald Trump was elected president of the United States? As the election of 2016 was remarkably close, many reasons can be offered to explain Trump’s election. This talk will make the argument that the New York Times, with its incessantly negative, false and misleading coverage of Hillary Clinton, was ultimately the key ingredient in what transpired.
biography
Miles DeNora teaches History at Vanier College. He has not yet recovered emotionally and spiritually from the night of November 8th, 2016.
THURSDAY
October 24, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Sudeshnaa Maulik: classical Indian dance performance and hands-on workshop with students
synopsis
Kathak Dance can be traced back to Hindu temples in 400 BC where ancient storytellers enacted stories of gods and goddesses through facial expressions and hand gestures. In the 16th century the dance form moved to the grand courts of the Mughal Empire. Under patronage of the Muslim emperors, it came into contact with Persian and Turkish influences and was transformed from a devotional dance to a court dance, incorporating stylized linear movements, intricate footwork and fast spins that are the hallmarks of Kathak today.
Art of kathak will perform different pieces ranging from fast technical pieces to delicate expressional items.
biography
Sudeshna Maulik belongs to Lucknow school of Kathak dance and has trained under stalwarts of the art form, including Chitresh Das, Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia. A well-known performer in India, Maulik has danced in international venues across continents as well as holding workshops and lecture-demonstrations all over the world. She has extensive experience in both traditional and contemporary forms of Kathak dance and her work has been recognized by the Canada Council for Arts, the Quebec Arts Council and other regional arts groups. Sudeshna is also a teacher, mentoring a new generation of Canadian and American dancers who are dedicated to bringing Indian dance to a global audience by forming a dance collectivenamed Art of Kathak with Sudeshna Maulik which promotes Indian Classical Dance over North America.
synopsis
Kathak Dance can be traced back to Hindu temples in 400 BC where ancient storytellers enacted stories of gods and goddesses through facial expressions and hand gestures. In the 16th century the dance form moved to the grand courts of the Mughal Empire. Under patronage of the Muslim emperors, it came into contact with Persian and Turkish influences and was transformed from a devotional dance to a court dance, incorporating stylized linear movements, intricate footwork and fast spins that are the hallmarks of Kathak today.
Art of kathak will perform different pieces ranging from fast technical pieces to delicate expressional items.
biography
Sudeshna Maulik belongs to Lucknow school of Kathak dance and has trained under stalwarts of the art form, including Chitresh Das, Birju Maharaj and Kumudini Lakhia. A well-known performer in India, Maulik has danced in international venues across continents as well as holding workshops and lecture-demonstrations all over the world. She has extensive experience in both traditional and contemporary forms of Kathak dance and her work has been recognized by the Canada Council for Arts, the Quebec Arts Council and other regional arts groups. Sudeshna is also a teacher, mentoring a new generation of Canadian and American dancers who are dedicated to bringing Indian dance to a global audience by forming a dance collectivenamed Art of Kathak with Sudeshna Maulik which promotes Indian Classical Dance over North America.
11:30 a.m.
Jon Caluza and Althea Galiza: En français SVP! Bill 96 & the perspectives of CEGEP students
synopsis
This presentation dives into the perceptions of Vanier and St. Laurent CEGEP students regarding Bill 96 (now Law 14) & its impacts on them. One of the most controversial provisions is the limitation of English-language enrollment at CEGEPS, which has sparked debates in both anglophone and francophone communities. Through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews, this research explored how Vanier & St. Laurent CEGEP students perceive Bill 96 in relation to its implementation in schools. We found that students recognize the importance of preserving French but disagree on how it is being enforced. We also found that it is difficult for students who want an English education to receive it & be successful in it. Vanier & St. Laurent CEGEP students' opinions are varied, depending on their language proficiencies & cultural origins. All students tended to agree on topics that did not impact them personally; they are concerned about the people who are and will be further impacted in the communities they live within. By highlighting the voices of young Quebecers, this research wanted to contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of language laws & their impacts in a multicultural and multilingual environment, and especially in education.
biographies
My name is Jon Michael Caluza, and I am a second-year student in Commerce at Vanier College. Being a curious person, I have always been interested in exploring, discovering and understanding the world around us. As an immigrant in an Anglophone institution, I wanted to find out how my fellow students view the newly implemented language laws and compare it with the perspectives of those in a Francophone college, hence our research.
I’m Althea Hannahbelle Galiza, a commerce student here in Vanier. I am currently in my third semester in the program. I was born in the Philippines and eventually moved here to Montreal when I was 9 years old. I took a particular liking on sports and arts as it allows me to explore new things. I grew up as an immigrant and have always been surrounded by many immigrant families and friends. This became one of the main reasons why we, as a group, chose to do qualitative research on language laws in Quebec, specifically Bill 96.
synopsis
This presentation dives into the perceptions of Vanier and St. Laurent CEGEP students regarding Bill 96 (now Law 14) & its impacts on them. One of the most controversial provisions is the limitation of English-language enrollment at CEGEPS, which has sparked debates in both anglophone and francophone communities. Through one-on-one, semi-structured interviews, this research explored how Vanier & St. Laurent CEGEP students perceive Bill 96 in relation to its implementation in schools. We found that students recognize the importance of preserving French but disagree on how it is being enforced. We also found that it is difficult for students who want an English education to receive it & be successful in it. Vanier & St. Laurent CEGEP students' opinions are varied, depending on their language proficiencies & cultural origins. All students tended to agree on topics that did not impact them personally; they are concerned about the people who are and will be further impacted in the communities they live within. By highlighting the voices of young Quebecers, this research wanted to contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of language laws & their impacts in a multicultural and multilingual environment, and especially in education.
biographies
My name is Jon Michael Caluza, and I am a second-year student in Commerce at Vanier College. Being a curious person, I have always been interested in exploring, discovering and understanding the world around us. As an immigrant in an Anglophone institution, I wanted to find out how my fellow students view the newly implemented language laws and compare it with the perspectives of those in a Francophone college, hence our research.
I’m Althea Hannahbelle Galiza, a commerce student here in Vanier. I am currently in my third semester in the program. I was born in the Philippines and eventually moved here to Montreal when I was 9 years old. I took a particular liking on sports and arts as it allows me to explore new things. I grew up as an immigrant and have always been surrounded by many immigrant families and friends. This became one of the main reasons why we, as a group, chose to do qualitative research on language laws in Quebec, specifically Bill 96.
1:00 p.m.
Lidiya Beida: Unravelling fashion's dirty secrets with interdisciplinary thinking
synopsis
I hope to give a high-level overview of how different processes and issues — colonialism, capitalism, waste, biodiversity and climate, etc. — intersect within fashion, what is at stake for us as citizens/consumers, and what initiatives currently exist, i.e. Fashion Revolution, OR Foundation, and my current work in the wool industry.
biography
Lidiya Beida (she/her) is a Montreal-based researcher and textile sustainability professional. She works as a Programming Coordinator at The Campaign for Wool Canada, an international non-profit dedicated to public education on the benefits of natural fibres. She is also a part-time lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she teaches a sustainability lab course in the undergraduate Fashion program. Lidiya has been an active volunteer at Fashion Revolution Canada as a Policy Lead for the past two years, co-developing the flagship #NoNewPolyester campaign and, more recently, supporting the redesign of the organization’s most well-known research report, the annual Fashion Transparency Index. Lidiya holds a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Toronto. She is a passionate knitter and an enthusiast of many crafts and DIYs.
synopsis
I hope to give a high-level overview of how different processes and issues — colonialism, capitalism, waste, biodiversity and climate, etc. — intersect within fashion, what is at stake for us as citizens/consumers, and what initiatives currently exist, i.e. Fashion Revolution, OR Foundation, and my current work in the wool industry.
biography
Lidiya Beida (she/her) is a Montreal-based researcher and textile sustainability professional. She works as a Programming Coordinator at The Campaign for Wool Canada, an international non-profit dedicated to public education on the benefits of natural fibres. She is also a part-time lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she teaches a sustainability lab course in the undergraduate Fashion program. Lidiya has been an active volunteer at Fashion Revolution Canada as a Policy Lead for the past two years, co-developing the flagship #NoNewPolyester campaign and, more recently, supporting the redesign of the organization’s most well-known research report, the annual Fashion Transparency Index. Lidiya holds a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Toronto. She is a passionate knitter and an enthusiast of many crafts and DIYs.
4:00 p.m.
Chedly Belkhodja: The changing realities of immigration in Canada and Quebec
synopsis
I will explore some of my more recent research (Syrians Refugees, Roxham Road, Regionalization of immigration; Francophone immigration). I also want to talk about my approach to my work.
biography
Chedly Belkhodja est professeur à l’École des affaires publiques et communautaires de l’Université Concordia. Ses recherches portent sur les questions de l’immigration dans les villes de taille moyenne et dans les régions de faible immigration, des dynamiques de régionalisation au Québec et des discours et représentations de la diversité culturelle, religieuse et ethnique. Il mène également une réflexion sur le phénomène du populisme et des nouvelles idéologies de la droite. Ses articles récents ont été publiés dans Hommes & Migration, Refuge, Canadian Studies, Francophonies d’Amérique et Studies in Religion. En parallèle, il a publié un essai sur l’immigration francophone au Canada (D’ici et d’ailleurs, 2011) et a réalisé deux films produits par l’Office national du film du Canada, soit Tableaux d’un voyage imaginaire en 2001 avec le cinéaste Jean Chabot et Au bout du fil en 2006.
synopsis
I will explore some of my more recent research (Syrians Refugees, Roxham Road, Regionalization of immigration; Francophone immigration). I also want to talk about my approach to my work.
biography
Chedly Belkhodja est professeur à l’École des affaires publiques et communautaires de l’Université Concordia. Ses recherches portent sur les questions de l’immigration dans les villes de taille moyenne et dans les régions de faible immigration, des dynamiques de régionalisation au Québec et des discours et représentations de la diversité culturelle, religieuse et ethnique. Il mène également une réflexion sur le phénomène du populisme et des nouvelles idéologies de la droite. Ses articles récents ont été publiés dans Hommes & Migration, Refuge, Canadian Studies, Francophonies d’Amérique et Studies in Religion. En parallèle, il a publié un essai sur l’immigration francophone au Canada (D’ici et d’ailleurs, 2011) et a réalisé deux films produits par l’Office national du film du Canada, soit Tableaux d’un voyage imaginaire en 2001 avec le cinéaste Jean Chabot et Au bout du fil en 2006.
FRIDAY
October 25, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Joel Casséus and Ashley Vu: Social media threats to democracy
synopsis
Join us on October 25th for a talk by former Vanier student and current McGill Psychology major, Ashley Vu, who will share her journey and insights as a Junior Analyst at the Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO). Discover MEO's mission to analyze Canada's information ecosystem, focusing on election integrity and misinformation, and learn about the significance of the “seedlist” in understanding data from social media. Ashley will be joined by Vanier's very own Joel Casséus, who will give more insights on important sociological theories, as well as how they apply to current issues affecting our information landscapes.
biographies
Joel Casséus has been teaching sociology at Vanier College for 18 years. Among the many classes he teaches, he gets to teach Sociology of Mass Media once in a while (now called Sociology of Media and Society). This allows him to discuss sociological issues in Media with his students and read about the topic.
Ashley Vu is a third year undergraduate student at McGill University, where she is majoring in Psychology, and double-minoring in Sociology and Behavioural Science. As such, she is deeply interested in understanding how digital technologies may affect users' attitudes and behaviours. She is also a Junior Analyst at the Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO), a collaborative research effort between McGill University and the University of Toronto which studies media ecosystem health. MEO conducts large-scale online data analysis with the aim of exploring how information is shared and consumed in Canada. One of its main goals is to understand how these dynamics impact Canadians and the health of Canadian democracy.
synopsis
Join us on October 25th for a talk by former Vanier student and current McGill Psychology major, Ashley Vu, who will share her journey and insights as a Junior Analyst at the Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO). Discover MEO's mission to analyze Canada's information ecosystem, focusing on election integrity and misinformation, and learn about the significance of the “seedlist” in understanding data from social media. Ashley will be joined by Vanier's very own Joel Casséus, who will give more insights on important sociological theories, as well as how they apply to current issues affecting our information landscapes.
biographies
Joel Casséus has been teaching sociology at Vanier College for 18 years. Among the many classes he teaches, he gets to teach Sociology of Mass Media once in a while (now called Sociology of Media and Society). This allows him to discuss sociological issues in Media with his students and read about the topic.
Ashley Vu is a third year undergraduate student at McGill University, where she is majoring in Psychology, and double-minoring in Sociology and Behavioural Science. As such, she is deeply interested in understanding how digital technologies may affect users' attitudes and behaviours. She is also a Junior Analyst at the Media Ecosystem Observatory (MEO), a collaborative research effort between McGill University and the University of Toronto which studies media ecosystem health. MEO conducts large-scale online data analysis with the aim of exploring how information is shared and consumed in Canada. One of its main goals is to understand how these dynamics impact Canadians and the health of Canadian democracy.
11:30 a.m.
Randal Schnoor: The value of Israel/Palestine student dialogue on campus
synopsis
BRIDGING THE GAP is a group of students and recent alumni from York University and the University of Toronto, both Palestinian/Arab & Israeli/Jewish who want to change the way that the conversation about Israel/Palestine is happening on campus. We believe that, as fellow students who have a connection to this land, we all deserve human dignity and an honest conversation. Prof. Randal Schnoor of York University along with two Bridging the Gap student leaders from Toronto are delighted to visit Vanier College to share our experiences and our perspectives about the value of Israel/Palestine dialogue.
biographies
Dr. Randal F. Schnoor (PhD 2003, McGill University), a sociologist, has been teaching Jewish Studies at York University since 2004. He specializes in the qualitative study of contemporary Jewish life in North America. He has published sociological works on Jewish identity, Jewish day schools, Hasidic Jews, queer Jews, among other contemporary topics. His recent policy research includes a community study on Jewish poverty in Toronto, a study on approaches to engaging interfaith families, a study on South African Jews in Toronto and a report for Toronto’s Jewish community High School to address its enrollment challenges. His most recent scholarly volume (co-edited with Robert Brym) is entitled “The Ever-Dying People? Canada’s Jews in Comparative Perspective” (University of Toronto Press, 2023). In December of 2023, together with a group of outstanding students at York University he formed “Bridging the Gap,” an Israel/Palestine student dialogue group. Inspired by this successful venture he is currently researching and writing about the processes of inter-cultural dialogue on campus. He is an award winning teacher at York University and has recently has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Louis Rosenberg Canadian Jewish Studies Distinguished Service Award.
Mohammad Rasoul Kailani is a Jordanian-Canadian student at the University of Toronto. He is a fourth year specialist in the Peace, Conflict and Justice program. When not studying, he spends much of his time writing about Middle Eastern Affairs.
Elah Cohen-Rimmer (she/her) is an Israeli-Canadian who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Social Work from York University. Elah is committed to developing respectful and productive dialogue about the conflict in the Middle East and is passionate about dismantling hatred of all kinds.
synopsis
BRIDGING THE GAP is a group of students and recent alumni from York University and the University of Toronto, both Palestinian/Arab & Israeli/Jewish who want to change the way that the conversation about Israel/Palestine is happening on campus. We believe that, as fellow students who have a connection to this land, we all deserve human dignity and an honest conversation. Prof. Randal Schnoor of York University along with two Bridging the Gap student leaders from Toronto are delighted to visit Vanier College to share our experiences and our perspectives about the value of Israel/Palestine dialogue.
biographies
Dr. Randal F. Schnoor (PhD 2003, McGill University), a sociologist, has been teaching Jewish Studies at York University since 2004. He specializes in the qualitative study of contemporary Jewish life in North America. He has published sociological works on Jewish identity, Jewish day schools, Hasidic Jews, queer Jews, among other contemporary topics. His recent policy research includes a community study on Jewish poverty in Toronto, a study on approaches to engaging interfaith families, a study on South African Jews in Toronto and a report for Toronto’s Jewish community High School to address its enrollment challenges. His most recent scholarly volume (co-edited with Robert Brym) is entitled “The Ever-Dying People? Canada’s Jews in Comparative Perspective” (University of Toronto Press, 2023). In December of 2023, together with a group of outstanding students at York University he formed “Bridging the Gap,” an Israel/Palestine student dialogue group. Inspired by this successful venture he is currently researching and writing about the processes of inter-cultural dialogue on campus. He is an award winning teacher at York University and has recently has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Louis Rosenberg Canadian Jewish Studies Distinguished Service Award.
Mohammad Rasoul Kailani is a Jordanian-Canadian student at the University of Toronto. He is a fourth year specialist in the Peace, Conflict and Justice program. When not studying, he spends much of his time writing about Middle Eastern Affairs.
Elah Cohen-Rimmer (she/her) is an Israeli-Canadian who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Social Work from York University. Elah is committed to developing respectful and productive dialogue about the conflict in the Middle East and is passionate about dismantling hatred of all kinds.
1:00 p.m.
Avi Goldberg and Anna Zalik: Normalizing Non-Conformity: Jewish Dissent on Israel-Palestine within Jewish & Academic Communities
synopsis
In this interactive dialogue, Anna and Avi will describe and reflect on the different ways that they have individually worked either professionally or personally, and often outside the norms of engagement within Jewish & academic communities, to study and advocate for peace and justice in Israel-Palestine. Topics for discussion will include: Personal biographies and early orientations towards Israel-Palestine, involvements in Arab-Jewish dialogue, relationships between scholarly efforts to acquire knowledge on the conflict and activism in support of conflict resolution, tensions with Jewish/academic community norms, liberal Zionist politics Vs. anti-Zionist or non-Zionist politics, October 7 and possibilities for the future. Audience involvement will be encouraged.
biographies
Avi Goldberg holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Alberta, an M.A. in Political Science from McGill University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from McGill University. For his M.A., Avi studied pro-Israelism and dissent within the American and Canadian Jewish communities from 1967-1993. For his Ph.D., Avi conducted an ethnographic study of the Israeli radical left peace and human rights movement during the final years of the Oslo peace process. Avi proudly teaches sociology and serves in two coordinator positions at Vanier College.
Anna Zalik is Professor at York University in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change, and a member of the national steering committee of the Jewish Faculty Network. She has been involved in Palestine solidarity organizing within the Jewish community since the 1990s.
synopsis
In this interactive dialogue, Anna and Avi will describe and reflect on the different ways that they have individually worked either professionally or personally, and often outside the norms of engagement within Jewish & academic communities, to study and advocate for peace and justice in Israel-Palestine. Topics for discussion will include: Personal biographies and early orientations towards Israel-Palestine, involvements in Arab-Jewish dialogue, relationships between scholarly efforts to acquire knowledge on the conflict and activism in support of conflict resolution, tensions with Jewish/academic community norms, liberal Zionist politics Vs. anti-Zionist or non-Zionist politics, October 7 and possibilities for the future. Audience involvement will be encouraged.
biographies
Avi Goldberg holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Alberta, an M.A. in Political Science from McGill University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology from McGill University. For his M.A., Avi studied pro-Israelism and dissent within the American and Canadian Jewish communities from 1967-1993. For his Ph.D., Avi conducted an ethnographic study of the Israeli radical left peace and human rights movement during the final years of the Oslo peace process. Avi proudly teaches sociology and serves in two coordinator positions at Vanier College.
Anna Zalik is Professor at York University in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change, and a member of the national steering committee of the Jewish Faculty Network. She has been involved in Palestine solidarity organizing within the Jewish community since the 1990s.
