On November 15, 2022, the Live Work Well Research Centre hosted “Imagining a More Just University”, a panel event which explored how we could create more just academic spaces through reducing barriers to access and ensuring equity for all. Hosted by then Acting Director of Live Work Well, Dr. Leah Levac, the event was built around discussion of practices at the University of Guelph and academia at large, addressing overlapping and intersecting injustices structured by the pandemic, systemic racism and colonialism, (hetero)sexism, ableism and economic inequality.
The panel consisted of five members, each of whom brought a unique and informed perspective on the injustices existing in higher education. Panelists for the event included:
- Jena-Lee Ashley (she/her), Vice President External, Central Student Association (CSA)
- Dr. Adam Davies (they/them), Assistant Professor, Family Relations & Human Development; co-lead of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Cluster with Live Work Well
- Suman Roy (he/him), Chair, Feed Scarborough
- Dr. Roberta Hawkins (she/her), Associate Professor, Geography, Environment and Geomatics; co-lead of the Integrating Care & Livelihoods Cluster with Live Work Well
- Nicole Walker (she/her), President, Central Student Association (CSA)
The 90-minute panel consisted of two rounds of questions for each panelist. The first round involved an inquiry into what justice means to each panelist, and the injustices they have experienced and witnessed in their day-to-day lives in academia, and the second round consisted of specific questions tailored to each panelist’s expertise. To learn more about the event and what each panelist had to say, check out the resources below!
Event Documents
View the full "Imagining a More Just University" event summary.
View the full "Imagining a More Just University" event transcript.
View the full "Imagining a More Just University" video recording.
View the full "Imagining a More Just University" audio recording.