Assistant Professor, Trent University, Durham Campus
Educational Background
- BSW (UBC)
- MSW(Dalhousie)
- PhD (York University)
General Background
Sasan has been practicing as a social worker for close to a decade in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Sasan has worked in various roles that include Guardian Worker and Facilitator at Community Living of BC, counsellor at CMHA, therapist and Clinical Supervisor at Lifeworks, Director of Mental Health at MCI One health, and mostly recently in private practice. He has co-authored several peer reviewed articles with his mentor and former Thesis Supervisor, Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard. Sasan has a deep interest and passion for critical social work education and practice. His research, teaching, and practice experience are grounded in a decolonizing, anti-oppressive, and intersectional lens.
Teaching and Research Interests
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDID)
- Critical Clinical Social Work
- Immigration, Employment, and Social Policy
- Intersectionality
- Decolonizing and Indigenizing Mental Health
- Social Work Education
Peer Reviewed Publications
Bernard, W. T., Issari, S., Willis, R., Symonds, B., & Brown, M. (2023). From Seed to Impact: Stories of Struggle, Resistance, and Resilience in the Fight for Justice. Canadian Woman Studies/les cahiers de la femme, 36(1, 2).
Matsuoka, A. Issari, S. & Nishibu, K. (2020). Social work and immigrants in Canada. Social Work Kenkyu (Journal of Studies of Social Work), 46(1).
Issari, S., Bernard, W.T., & Power, A (2018). Braver spaces in social work: exploring student learning about privilege and micro-aggressions. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege, 8(1), 38-57.
Bernard, W. T., Issari, S., Moriah, J., Njiwaji, M., Obgan, P., & Tolliver, A. (2012). Other mothering in the Academy: Using Maternal Advocacy for Institutional Change. Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement, 3(2). p. 103-120.
Peer Reviewed Conferences
Issari, S (2024). Innovations and EDI in Mental Health and Addictions Conference. Trent University, Peterborough, April 23rd.
Issari, S (2024). Decolonizing Health. Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW). Online, January 11th.
Issari, S (2019). Decolonizing Employment, Immigration, and Well-Being. 12th Annual Social Work Research Symposium. York University, Toronto, April 26th.
Issari, S (2018). Race, Immigration and Resettlement. 2018 CIARS Decolonizing Conference. Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education – University of Toronto, Toronto, November 9th.
Issari, S and Bernard, W.T (2018). Braver Spaces in Social Work: Exploring Student Learning About Privilege and Micro-Aggressions. White Privilege Conference. Ryerson University, Toronto, May 11th.
Issari, S. (2016). The Experiences of Racialized Immigrants in Precarious Employment. Canadian Association of Social Work Education, Congress 2016 of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Calgary, University of Calgary, Alberta. May 31st.
Issari, S. (2013). “Equity Policy and Belonging in Toronto Organizations”. 6th Annual Social Work Research Symposium. York University, Toronto, April 26th.
Invited Presentations
Issari, S (2018). ‘Immigration and Diversity’. Guest lecture for Social Change in Canada, Department of Human Rights and Equity, York University, January 8th, 2018.
Issari, S (2016). ‘Neoliberalism and Employment Equity Policy in Canada’. Guest lecture for Social Work 3110.03 (Policy Frameworks course), School of Social Work, York University, Toronto, October 12th, 2016.
Issari, S (2013). ‘The history of Immigration in Canada’. Guest lecture for the Department of Human Rights and Equity Studies, Toronto, March 20th.
Issari, S (2012). “Other mothering in the Academy: Using Maternal Advocacy for Institutional Change”. At the Book launch of Demeter's first novel and memoir & Journal of the Motherhood. Toronto, Feb 20th.
Issari, S., & Bernard, W.T. (2012). “Employment and Belonging”. At the Award of Excellence & Symposium, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Halifax, N.S. October 18th.