During our 60th anniversary year, we aimed to showcase the Department’s research and teaching contributions to Trent and the discipline of Sociology. Identifying inequalities has always been central to sociological thinking, and the Department has focused on that core purpose throughout its history, leading us to a contemporary cluster of researchers who engage the full range of social inequalities and social justice, contributing new knowledge, shaping policy and translating both into award-winning and innovative teaching.
Sociology runs 3 different degrees, with Sociology in both Durham and Peterborough comprised of three specializations in Health, Social Justice and Equity and Socio-Legal Studies. Our third degree is the new online Criminology program and we also contribute to various graduate programs, including the IDSR PhD. This week comprised research from our faculty that ranged across the different degree subjects and research areas.
Monday 5th February in DURHAM
11am to 12:30pm: Fun Sociology: a panel on understanding and critiquing leisure and pleasure
"Gambling, Cannabis, and the Regulation of Fun.” Dr. Jim Cosgrave
“Queerbaiting as the critique of Celebrity and Media culture by Fans” Dr. Momin Rahman
‘“It is ‘Still Broadcasting Yourself?”: Our Evolving Relationship with YouTube’. Dr. Scott Henderson
2pm-4pm: "Going Beyond a Month of ‘Celebration’: Sustaining Student Success through Black Studies" with guest speaker Professor Carl James, York University.
Tuesday 6th February: Research and teaching specializations in Sociology (PTBO)
9:30am-12pm – Panels on Health, Social Justice and Equity studies
"Not Just Adding and Stirring: Challenging the Medicalization and Criminalization of Difference Across Institutions." Dr. Mary Jean Hande
"A Critical Neurodiversity Standpoint on Wellness and How We Do Justice”. Dr. Stephanie Ehret.
“Mixing Neurodiversity and Higher Education for Access and Inclusivity". Dante Pio, Honours Student.
Break 10:45-11am
“Boundless sport: Outdoor Recreation, youth equity and environmental justice.” Dr. Greg Yerashotis.
“Muslim vs Queers in Sports and Schools: global and local dilemmas”. Dr. Momin Rahman.
1:30-4:30pm: Panels on Critical Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies
“Making social meaning of justice for intimate partner violence". Dr. Stephanie Ehret.
"Holding Police Accountable? Police Oversight Disparities Across Canada.” Dr. Erick Laming
Break 2:30-3pm
“Suing for Silence: Institutional Failure to Respond to Sexual Violence and Retaliation.” Dr. Mandi Gray
"Institutional Responses to Sexual Assault: The (False) Promises of Medico-Legal Interventions". Dr. Deborah White.
"Gender and Sexuality-Based Bullying: Individual to Institution and Reaction to Prevention.” Dr. Elizabeth Torrens.
Wednesday 7th February: Sociology’s Annual Endowed Kennedy Lecture (PTBO)
This year’s lecture was delivered by Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz of the United Nations Human Rights Council and the inaugural UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Thursday 8th February: Justice in our wider community (PTBO)
9:45am - 11am: Panel on Resistance to Neo-Liberal Inequality – What is the Role of Public Sector Unions?
- Dr. Andy Hanson, Independent Researcher, author of Class Act (BTL, 2022)
- Dr. David Rapaport.
Break, 11-11:30am
11:30-12:30pm: Roundtable discussion on “EDI in our profession and workplace: calling in our colleagues”
Participants:
- Dr. Naomi Nichols, EDI lead in the Department of Sociology
- Dr. Rona Van Oudenhoven, Inaugural Senior Director for EDI at Trent
- Dr. Alba Agostino, TUFA EDI Officer.
3-5pm: Panel on Sustaining Shared Futures Through Equitable Work Trajectories for International Migrants in Canada - Peterborough Public Library,
"Towards Just Care: Migrant Justice Perspectives on Home Care Transformation". Dr. Mary Jean Hande
“The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international students’ career trajectories and their post-graduation mobility”. Dr. Eugena Kwon
“Anti-Blackness and Migration: Disposability and the Racializing Logics of “Surplus Use”. Dr. Nadiya Ali
“Ethical Recruitment and Equitable Retention Strategies: Addressing the Mobility of Filipino Nurses in Canada”. Dr. Valerie Damasco
"Mapping Program to Labour Market Success for International Students and Graduates", Sarah Amirault, Business Intelligence & Research Analyst, Fleming College
Friday 9th February: Student Engagement and Careers (PTBO)
2-5pm: We are pleased to finish off the week with a focus on our students and their experiences in our programs and their hopes for the future
2-3pm. “Community-Based Social Research at the Graduate Level: Exploring the community-engaged scholarship of IDSR graduate student researchers” - Community engaged student research, led by Dr. Naomi Nichols
3-4pm. Careers with Sociology and Criminology
4-5pm. Trent Sociology Student Collective