- About FASS
- Departments and programs
- Anthropology
- Applied legal studies
- Cognitive science
- Criminology
- Economics
- English
- French
- French Cohort
- Gender, sexuality, and women's studies
- Gerontology
- Global Asia
- Global Humanities
- Graduate liberal studies
- History
- Indigenous languages
- Indigenous studies
- International studies
- Labour studies
- Linguistics
- Philosophy
- Political science
- Psychology
- Public policy
- Social data analytics
- Sociology
- Urban studies
- World languages & literatures
- Students
- Future Students
-
Current Students
- Undergraduate Students
- Advising and Resources
- Connect with Arts Central
- Plan your Program
- Student Life
- Enhance your learning
- FASS Forward
- INDG 305-1 Treaties in Canada
- FASS 200-1 Writing Right: Strategies for effective revision
- FASS 204-1 Communicating in Conflict and Negotiation
- FASS 207-1 Cultural Humility: Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- FASS 208-1 Introduction to Personal Financial Planning for Students
- FASS 210-1 Language Network Science
- FASS 211-1 Data Literacy and the City
- Get FASS Familiar
- Graduate Students
- Undergraduate Students
- Alumni
- Research
- News
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
-
2018
- January
- Graduate Liberal Studies' Dr. Stephen Duguid now professor emeritus
- Congratulations to the 2017 Staff Achievement Award recipients from across FASS
- Comics a way to express ideas about health
- Alumni Profile: Jon Robinson, Public Policy
- An interview with Rhys Kesselman: Thoughts on an Illustrious Career in Policy
- Students from across FASS sweep inaugural Student Learning Commons Undergraduate Writing Contest
- FASS Graduate Students Up for Public Choice Award in National Competition
- Gerontology launches new student blog
- Communicating with babies--studies show moms and dads can differ in approach
- Autism and Aboriginal families: new project to shed light on health inequity in BC Aboriginal communities
- February
- Graduate Student Profile: Justine Mallou, Political Science
- Jeremy Brown Wins 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award
- New book on Secwépemc people garners critical praise
- FASS students and faculty featured in annual Office for Aboriginal Peoples Newsletter
- 2018 RADIUS fellows include FASS alum, students, and staff
- Urban Studies' Meg Holden awarded 2018 President's Award for Leadership in Sustainability
- March
- Master's students from the School of Public Policy win national case competition
- Chancellor Anne Giardini named Influential Woman in Business
- Meet Gerontology's new postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Theodore Cosco and Dr. Sue Peters
- Prize-winning book brings 10, 000 years of Shuswap First Nation history to life
- Economics' Arthur Robson appointed Fellow of the Canadian Economics Association
- Staff Profile: Rose Baik, Coordinator, Student Recruitment & Advising, FASS Surrey
- History welcomes new visiting scholar, Dr. Katrina Jagodinsky
- Art & Mindfulness event addresses mental health barriers
- Chris Lewis, First Nations Studies alum, appointed deputy chair of SFU Board of Governors
- Curious 73-year-old joins study tour to explore Spain’s Islamic history
- Recognize, render and redirect: Supporting faculty to support students with mental health challenges
- April
- Conference aims to improve diagnosis and support for women and girls with autism
- Claire Trépanier honoured by L'Ordre Des Palmes académiques
- Psychology alum earns 2018 BC Community Achievement Award
- 4th Annual SFU World Literature Student Conference a hit and a win for organizers and attendees alike
- SFU Political Science student named one of Surrey's "Top 25 Under 25"
- English's Colette Colligan uses big data to mine new insights into media coverage of the Oscar Wilde trials
- History's Mark Leier engages students with teaching portfolios and a simple question
- Surrey highschooler studying philosophy at SFU nets international human rights prize
- SFU Undergraduate Research Symposium presents original research by students from across FASS
- Linguistics' Dr. Maite Taboada harnessing Big Data to combat fake news
- May
- Political science prof Michael Howlett named Canada Research Chair in Policy Innovation for Climate Change
- Recognize, Render and Redirect: Supporting Faculty to Support Students with Mental Health Challenges
- SFU's Doug McArthur wins 2018 Lieutenant Governor silver medal for public administration
- Recognize, Render and Redirect: Supporting Faculty to Support Students with Mental Health Challenges
- June
- In Memoriam: Meiyu Li
- SFU and NATO Defense College sign Memorandum of Understanding
- Convocation Award Winners, 2018
- Convocation Profile: Paul Hagen, History
- Convocation Profile: Micaela Evans, Gender, Sexuality and Womens Studies and First Nations Studies
- Convocation Profile: Samuel Thiak, Political Science
- Convocation Profile: Kaitlyn Thompson, Linguistics
- Convocation Profile: Anoop Virk, International Studies
- Convocation Profile: Samaah Jaffer, International Studies and World Literature
- FASS Employee Achievement Awards
- First Nations Studies undergraduate Melanie Mercer earns student essay award from Blue Metropolis Literary Prize
- History's Mark Leier and Psychology's Jodi Viljoen recognized for excellent graduate supervision
- Philosophy's Dr. Lisa Shapiro earns Ulrike Detmers Elisabeth of Bohemia Prize
- In Memoriam: Maha El Meseery, School of Interactive Arts & Technology
- 2018 Cormack Teaching Award Winners
- July
- August
- Psychology postdoc partners with BC Hydro to study how innovative light therapy can improve mental health and addictions treatments
- Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies launches 2017/18 Newsletter
- International Studies student enlivens vacant storefronts in Surrey, BC
- Deanna Reder elected to the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars
- September
- New Faculty Profile: Heather Bliss, Linguistics
- American community at SFU helps to get out the US vote
- Welcome Dr. Maite Taboada, FASS Associate Dean of Research for Fall 2018
- Gender Equality Activist Ellen Woodsworth Receives Rosemary Brown Award for Women
- 2018 FASS Autumn Reception and Cormack Teaching Symposium
- Keeping the spirit of Gandhi alive at SFU
- New Faculty Profile: June Scudeler, First Nations Studies and Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies
- Welcome: New FASS Faculty Members
- Psychology PhD student finds suprising data on dating violence
- Psychology grad earns 2018 Terry Fox Gold Medal
- 2018 FASS Autumn Reception and Cormack Teaching Symposium
- Prison tours increase student empathy towards prisoners and staff
- October
- SFU Political Science organizes event to inform BC voters in preparation of upcoming referendum on electoral reform
- 2018 Dean's Medals of Excellence
- Convocation Profile: Don Shafer, MA, Graduate Liberal Studies
- 2018 FASS Employee Achievement Awards
- Convocation Profile: Soraya Janus, MA Criminology
- Sociology's Ann Travers featured on Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences Blog
- Convocation Profile: Alex Garcia Fuentes, International Studies
- Sociology & Anthropology Grad Student Yun Zhang on the International Teaching Assistant Program
- Faculty Profile: Jodi Viljoen
- Faculty Profile: Mark Leier
- 2018 Cormack Teaching Symposium: The craft of teaching and putting yourself in your students' shoes
- November
- Undergraduate Student Profile: Rébecca Brassard, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies and Political Science
- SFU Psychology places high on Times Higher Education World University Subject Rankings
- Field School Notes: International Studies
- Field School Notes: Criminology
- Video: How FASS graduate students and postdocs can access $15 000 in Mitacs funding
- Criminology professor Gail Anderson's expertise in forensic entomology helps exonerate American woman imprisoned for 17 years
- Travel Report: Benjamin Dipple, History
- Travel Report: Panagiotis Delis, History
- Travel Report: Gyuzel Kamalova, Sociology and Anthropology
- December
- FASS Courses Open Spring 2019
- Welcome Ruby Campbell, new FASS Director of Advancement
- Undergraduate student Natalie Lim earns top honour with CBC Poetry Prize
- New Faculty Profile: Laurel Weldon, Political Science
- International Studies student Raymond Messier on his summer of international search and rescue ambassadorship
- Travel Report: Sarah Vanderveer, Sociology and Anthropology
- Travel Report: Songwei He, History
- January
-
2017
- January
- Christine Kim and Helen Leung on the Institute for Transpacific Cultural Research
- SFU creates institute for tech research on healthy aging
- Anthropology MA student examines lifestyle of Mexican migrant agricultural workers
- Congratulations to Our Recent Order of Canada Recipients
- First Nations Language Centre races to preserve B.C. First Nations languages
- February
- Graduate Student Profile: Noortje de Weers, Linguistics
- International recognition for Criminology's pioneering forensic entomologist Gail Anderson
- New cohort of Squamish speakers hopes to revitalize language
- SFU economist runs the numbers on speed dating
- Study: giving a gift that reflects you rather than your valentine strengthens relationships
- Research Profile: Tina Adcock, History
- SFU honours FASS Connections Mentorship Program
- March
- Research Profile: Dr. Colette Colligan Discovering Wilde Data
- Graduate Student Profile: Andrew Czink, GLS
- Psychology student shares four tips for couples in a long distance relationship
- Award for best dissertation won by Criminology's Evan McCuish
- Students win at Model NATO Competition
- Graduate Profile: Reema Faris, GSWS
- A FASS sustainability champion wins President’s Award for Leadership in Sustainability
- Hope Caldi wins national award for her public policy recommendations
- Criminology's Sheri Fabian receives SFU's highest honour for teaching
- Alumni Profile: Robert Bittner, GSWS
- Undergraduate Profile: Sarah Duggan, International Studies
- April
- May
- Study suggests drug criminalization undermines global HIV efforts
- Photovoice Exhibit Explores Immigration, Aging, and Lived Experiences
- PhD Student Lindsey Bannister on Writer in Residence Programs
- Gloria Gutman, Gerontology, Invested into the Order of Canada
- GLS alumna Roberta Staley on women in media and gender equality in Afghanistan
- Graduate Student Profile: Alex Thumm, Urban Studies
- History Undergraduate Student Jazmin Hundal Receives 2017 George Paris Award in Scottish Studies
- June
- Criminology grad recognized for volunteerism and academic achievement
- Convocation Profile: Jennifer Cooper, Political Science
- Convocation Profile: Julie Andreyev, GLS
- Convocation 2017: Matty Taghipour, BA, advocating for restorative justice
- Convocation 2017: Billie Joe Rogers, PhD, evaluates a BC program for indigenous youth
- Convocation 2017: Bangladesh research, co-op readies MA student Kirk Hepburn for career
- Graduate Convocation Medal Winners, 2017
- Convocation Profile: Kelsey Wilson, World Literature
- Convocation 2017: SFU experience “life-changing” for Lucia Pecnikova, BA
- Convocation 2017: Glenyth Caragata, PhD, research on understanding older drivers’ needs
- Dionne Brand to receive honourary degree and give Shadbolt Lecture
- 2017 FASS Convocation Speakers
- Study on Aging and Resiliency Benefits from New CIHR Funding
- Jordan Abel Wins the 2017 Griffin Poetry Prize
- Nancy Olewiler, Public Policy, Named a 2017 YWCA Woman of Distinction
- July
- GSWS study results in new support services for LGBTQ+ newcomers
- Video by Director of World Literature program featured in The Tyee
- Faculty Research Profile: Dr. John McDonald, Psychology
- Students launch second edition of De Voix Vives
- Danielle Murdoch returns to place that kindled her passion for criminology
- Graduate Student Profile: Laura Kadowaki, Gerontology
- August
- September
- Dr. Evan McCuish has a strong background in research collaboration
- Graduate Student Profile: Nadine Boulay, GSWS
- John Harriss (International Studies) named Royal Society of Canada Fellow
- Coaching Hockey in China: How a Political Science and Economics Major Spent His Summer
- Research Profile: Tanya Broesch, Psychology
- Video connects World Literature community
- October
- 2017 Dean's Medals
- SFU Aboriginal Reconciliation Council presents calls to action for reconciliation to SFU President Andrew Petter.
- How Vancouver Specials make Vancouver special
- Convocation Profile: Esinam Ayesu-Attah, Sociology and Criminology
- New Major in Labour Studies to Launch in Fall 2018
- Grad strikes philosophy degree off long bucket list
- Travel Report: Lindsey Bannister, Department of English
- Convocation Profile: Roisin Elworthy, French
- November
- Field Notes: Anna Lechintan, World Literature
- Mastery grading: How one professor uses tests to help his students learn
- David Chariandy’s second novel, Brother, wins 2017 Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize
- SFU community loses Donald Grayston, humanities and religious studies scholar, retired priest, and activist.
- Postdoctoral researcher in linguistics, Katharina Ehret, studies why online comments matter
- World Literature Program celebrates 10 years
- Restorative justice researcher and SFU alumnus Alana Abramson recognized by BC Ministry of Public Safety
- Engaging in eco-friendly behaviours can promote well-being say SFU researchers
- SFU community loses Donald Grayston, humanities and religious studies scholar, retired priest, and activist.
- December
- January
-
2016
- January
- February
- Can you predict romantic attraction? This Psychology study is trying to find the answer
- Linguistics Manager Rita Parmar Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
- Congratulations to Psychology's Dr. John McDonald and Dr. Marlene Moretti on their Canada Research Chair Appointments
- International Studies Student, Claire Sieffert, Campaigns for National Eating Disorder Policy
- Alumna Profile: Janice Morris, English
- Governor General's Medal for the late Liz Elliott
- March
- Indian linguist teaches Haida language—and learns it in the process
- Faculty Research Profile: Dr. Sonja Luehrmann, Sociology & Anthropology
- Getting Closer With Kindness: Social Anxiety Disorder Research
- Stephen Duguid receives Excellence in Teaching Award
- SFU recognizes sustainability champion Wes Regan, Urban Studies student
- GSWS Students Call for Sexual Assault Prevention & Support Centre at SFU
- April
- Urban Studies and Public Policy conference discusses 50 years of regional district model
- War Narratives in the 21st Century
- Haida experience moves Indian language scholar
- Alumna Profile: MLA Melanie Mark, Political Science
- Martin Andresen receives the 2016 Western Society of Criminology Fellows Award
- SFU celebrates Tartan Day with a visit from 78th Fraser Highlanders
- History Undergrad William Gill Receives Centre for Scottish Studies Award
- May
- June
- Congratulations to Professor Emerita Sandra Djwa for her Honorary Degree from McGill University
- White Rock politician seeks to improve public policies
- Dr. Sonja Luehrmann receives Waldo Gifford Leland Award from the Society of American Archivists
- From senior to señora: Margaret Torgerson’s journey in gerontology
- Undergrad takes on the full university experience: Andreas Hovland
- Shedding new light on sex offenders' crimes reveals surprises
- Graduate Profile: Xueqiong Feng, BA, Economics
- Graduate Profile: Katarina Bogosavljevic, BA, Criminology
- Graduate Profile: Sarah Wu, MA, Gerontology
- Graduate Profile: Daniel Mundeva, MA International Studies
- Dean of Graduate Studies Awards for Excellence: Eric Beauregard, Criminology
- 2016 FASS Convocation Speakers
- Graduate Convocation Medal Winners, 2016
- Undergraduate Convocation Award Winners, 2016
- July
- August
- Graduate Liberal Studies student, Shawk Alani, organizes photography workshop for Syrian refugee children
- Department of French launches De Voix Vives, an online journal of student poetry and prose in French
- Criminology's Eric Beauregard recognized for excellence in supervision
- New app from First Nations Language Centre preserves Shuswap legend
- September
- October
- Sociology & Anthropology Convocation 2016
- English Alumna Lucia Lorenzi receives Governor General’s Award
- Habiba Zaman, GSWS, Honoured by Hohai University
- Research Profile: Luba Petersen, Economics
- 2016 Dean’s Medals
- Convocation Profile: Fredrick (Levi) Wilson, First Nations Studies
- Convocation Profile: Cameron Young, Economics
- Convocation Profile: Alana Abramson, Criminology
- Convocation Profile: Linda Chen, Economics
- Convocation Profile: Joy Walcott-Francis, GSWS
- November
- December
-
2015
- January
- February
- Political Science and International Studies Students Represent SFU at Model Nato Youth Summit
- Bill Reid Centre Relocates to Burnaby Campus
- Department of Linguistics Delegation to Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Institute for the Humanities Hosts Karen Ferguson Lecture on Black Leadership in America
- School of Public Policy Team Wins National Policy Case Competition
- March
- April
- May
- June
- GSWS Student Caroline Doerksen Receives Pride Legacy Award
- Convocation Profile: Nathan Murray, Economics BA
- Student Profile: Claudia Arrieta, International Studies
- 2015 FASS Convocation Speakers
- 79-year-old Meg Penner Graduates with a Master’s in Humanities
- SFU Wrestler Collects BA in English on Way to 2015 Pan Am Games
- Degree Helps New Westminster Mayor Solve Real World Problems
- Criminology's Dr. Ehsan Jozaghi and his Commitment to Research in Harm Reduction
- Graduating Sociology Student Kevin Kimoto Co-founds Social Venture
- Life through Autofiction: French MA Graduate, Laurence Gavreau Sinotte, on Québécois Novelist Nelly Arcan
- Undergraduate Convocation Award Winners, 2015
- Psychology's Dr. Samuele Zilioli receives Governor General's Gold Medal
- Graduate Convocation Medal Winners, 2015
- Surviving Grad School: History’s Mark Leier and Artist Sam Bradd Illustrate Advice for Graduate Students
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Nathan Lyndsay awarded Rosemary Brown Undergraduate Scholarship in Social Justice
- Sara Diamond, Digital Media Arts Pioneer, on her "Early Days" at SFU
- Remembering Canada's Difficult Histories: Japanese Canadian Oral History
- Bad Guys, Good Bugs: Criminology's Gail Anderson on Forensic Entomology
- Suicide Research Prompts CIHR Banting Fellowship
- Stephen Collis co-recipient of Sterling Prize for Work in Sustainable Energy and Materials Policy
- November
- December
-
2014
- January
- February
- SFU Leaders in Public Engagement: Dr. Marlene Moretti of the Department of Psychology
- SFU’s Research Chair in Environmental Criminology, Dr. Graham Farrell, on Criminology’s “Dirty Little Secret”
- Alumna Profile: Jennifer Scott, English
- The Elephants in Vancouver’s Sustainable Food Movement
- Metro Vancouver Housing Under SFU Microscope
- March
- SFU Policy Case Team in Toronto: How Seven Days Turns into 20 Minutes
- Gendered Tensions Across History: Dr. Lara Campbell on Emerging Research and Contexts
- Indigenous Literatures in Canada
- Student Profile – Aleks Besan, International Studies
- Historian Willeen Keough Takes on Housing Justice Struggles
- Alumnus Profile: Benjamin Hendriksen, Public Policy
- April
- Tricycle Symbolizes Freedom for Residential-School Children
- Bev Davino, Psychology, wins 2013 Staff Achievement Award
- Marjorie Griffen Cohen Honoured With Lifetime Achievement Award
- Scientists Discover Brain’s Anti-distraction System
- Study Says We’re Over the Hill at 24
- Faculty Profile: Chung-hye Han, Department of Linguistics
- “Learning to Tell Our Academic Stories in Different Ways”: Dr. Sasha Colby
- SSHRC Storytelling Finals for FASS Students
- Sandra Djwa: Biographer Extraordinaire
- May
- June
- William Doulome: Emerging Educator and Advocate for the Visually Impaired
- Infrastructure Versus Aftershock: Keren Zaiontz and Peter Dickinson on Performance, Global Mega-Events, and Human Rights
- PhD Student Adam Vaughan Examines Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System
- 2014 Cormack Teaching Award Winners
- Workshop on the History of the Philosophical Concept of Pleasure
- Dara Culhane: Performance Studies for Teaching and Practicing Ethnography
- Undergraduate Convocation Award Winners, 2014
- Graduate Convocation Medal Winners, 2014
- Researchers to Expand Child Exploitation Web-Crawler
- Economist Arthur Robson Awarded John Rae Prize
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Safety and Autonomy in Trans Self-Identification: Call for Preferred Names at SFU
- Want to Feel Good? Spend Money on Someone Else Says Researcher
- Bodies at Sea – Ocean Oxygen Levels May Impact Scavenger Response
- FASS Student Convocation Speaker
- Convocation Profile: Amarachi Nnah-obgonda
- Convocation Profile: Julie Shum's MA Highlights Seniors’ Housing
- Faculty Profile: Kendra Strauss, Labour Studies
- November
- December
-
2013
- January
- Mark Blair on Discovery Channel Talking about Gamer Skills
- Sandra Djwa's Bio on Poet P.K. Page on Short List for Charles Taylor Prize
- Ellen Vaillancourt, CCSMSC, Awarded the 2012 SFU Staff Achievement Award for Work Performance
- Christine Harper, Economics, Awarded the 2012 SFU Staff Achievement Award in Humanitarism
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- Julie MacArthur Receives Dean's Convocation Medal
- Jodi Yager Receives Dean's Convocation Medal
- Xianghua Wu Receives Dean's Convocation Medal
- Governor General's Silver Medal Honors Passion for Political Science
- Engaging the World
- Lifeguard Floats Future in Literature
- 2013 FASS Convocation Speakers
- English Department Award Winner Patty Kelly
- Undergraduate Award Winners, 2013
- “Historic Plaque Goes Missing: The Second Eviction of Olaf Solheim”
- Psychology Departmental Manager, Beverley Davino on 36 years of Service at SFU
- Sheila Delany, Emerita, Department of English
- SFU’s New Institute for the Reduction of Youth Violence
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- Alumna Profile: Anne Giardini, Economics
- Engaging and Empowering
- Professor Emerita Sandra Djwa winner of the 2013 Governor General’s Literary Award for non-fiction
- SFU Professor Undertakes Prostitution Policy Research
- Telling the Untold Story: “Reclaiming The New Westminster Waterfront”
- Dr. Ralph Mistlberger on 25 Years Studying Circadian Rhythms
- December
- January
-
2012
- Cormack Teaching Awards and Dean's Medals
- Students Gearing Up for the Mongol Rally
- World Literature Grads Excel at Community and Global Engagement
- Robert C. Brown Award Winner
- 2012 Dean’s Undergraduate Convocation Medal Winners
- 2012 Dean's Graduate Convocation Medal Winners
- English Professor Wins Dean of Graduate Studies Leadership Award
- 2012 Cormack Teaching Award Winners Announced
- 2012 Theodore Saloutos Memorial Book Award
- André Gerolymatos Wins President’s Media Award
- Two Shadbolt Fellowships Awarded
-
2011
- FASS Recipients of the 2011 SFU Outstanding Alumni Award
- Martin Cooper, FASS Dean's Office, at the "Oscars"
- 2011 Cormack Teaching Awards
- 2011 Dean's Medals
- Criminology Department Wins Major Continuing Education Award
- FASS Community Members Win Graduate Studies Award
- Convocation Awards to FASS Students
- History’s Paul Sedra Publishes New Book
- Arthur Robson Wins Prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship
- The Fight Against “Pink Viagra”
- Psychology Faculty Win Accolades
- FASS Well Represented in 2011 Outstanding Alumni Awards
- New Chair to Address Youth Violence
- 2010
- Community
- Teaching
- Faculty & staff portal
- FASS at Surrey
- Make meaning
- Next steps for new students
- Convocation
FASS in the Class: The off-campus visit
Bring SFU and FASS to your classroom virtually! We have a roster of highly successful FASS graduates who are keen to share their research and career journeys with your students. Each speaker will bring a unique perspective to their presentation and will add value to the learning experience by sharing their knowledge and expertise in a humanities and social sciences subject.
Presentations are subject to change and limited to availability.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions, all presentations are held on Zoom.
Presentations list
Presented by Cheyanne Connell
This presentation introduces students to the Ainu, an Indigenous group of Japan, and what it means to be Ainu in North America. Based on research conducted in late 2020, students will explore the history of Ainu, including policy-making and Ainu-Wajin (ethnic Japanese) relations; Ainu traditions and social life in Japan; and Ainu experience in present day, both in Japan and North America. From this, they will learn how social media plays a vital role in fostering Indigenous identities among urban Ainu in North America, and more broadly, urban Indigenous peoples around the world.
Believe it or Not - An Overview of Perceived Credibility - Ideal for: Law Studies 12 and Psychology 12
Presented by Madison Harvey
Understanding how witnesses are perceived by legal professionals is extremely important in understanding how legal decisions are made in the justice system. This presentation will explore the area of perceived credibility, and discuss factors that impact how a witness is viewed, such as witness characteristics like age, attractiveness, and race. Students will learn that evaluating a witness goes far beyond what they have to say.
Cemeteries: Life in the City - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
Can anybody visit a cemetery? Are you allowed to play sports in a cemetery? Do people live in cemeteries? -- Your presenter (who was once invited to live in a cemetery) will answer these questions, and will ask students to consider cemeteries as more than mere places of death. Students will be invited to consider the multiple roles cemeteries could play as community green space.
Citizen Participation in City-Making - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
This presentation explores the ways in which ordinary citizens can help make practical improvements to spaces in our city. Students will explore interventions of various "artist-actionists" who help raise awareness about traffic flows, promote greater use of public spaces, raise awareness of the need for public amenities (drinkable water, washrooms) and increase food security. Students will be introduced to concepts such as guerrilla gardening, ephemeral art, and tactical urbanism, and will be invited to imagine interventions they could make in spaces they use.
Clinical Forensic Psychology: How Psychology Helps Predict Violence - Ideal for: Law Studies, Psychology
Presented by Madison Edge
This presentation will give a broad overview of the field of clinical forensic psychology and the education necessary to obtain a career in this area. The tools and techniques clinical psychologists use to predict and prevent acts of violence will be a strong focus, as well as current research conducted by the presenter on these topics. Factors that have been empirically shown to predict violence risk will be discussed with students via a hypothetical case and students will be exposed to major topics in clinical forensic psychology such as violence risk assessment and threat assessment.
Conspiracy Theories: A Philosophy Approach - Ideal for: Philosophy, Political Studies
Presented by Sherif Salem
Conspiracy theories have been increasingly popular over the past years. Why this is the case? What are conspiracy theories to begin with? Why are they appealing to many people? Can they be defended? What are their social and political implications? This talk aims to contemplate these questions from a philosophical perspective. Yet, I do not claim that we will reach any final answers!
Environmental Stewardship, Urban Infrastructure, and Magical Thinking - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
This presentation explores what happens when the goals of multiple stakeholders (local, provincial, federal, transnational) conflict. Using the case study of the contested sewage treatment plant in Greater Victoria, students will examine why it took so long for the province's capital city to start treating its sewage. Looking at the political, environmental, and scientific messaging that contributed to confusion over the need for a treatment plant, students will be invited to offer examples of current issues clouded by mixed-messages.
Forensic Psychology—It’s Not What You See on TV - Ideal for: Law Studies 12 and Psychology 12
Presented by Madison Harvey
This presentation will give an overview of the topic of forensic psychology (the intersection of psychology and the law). A major focus of the presentation will be on current research happening at Simon Fraser University, particularly in the areas of witness credibility and memory. Examples involving real cases will help to illustrate the ideas to students. Possible education and career paths will also be discussed.
Presented by Vienna Chichi Lam
In this interactive presentation, Vienna will a) share stories about her criminological field research, b) discuss the utility of forensic entomology (insects) and anthropology (bones) in criminal investigations, and c) provide students with a hands-on activity to examine skeletal remains and the type of blowfly maggots that are commonly discovered at local crime scenes. These activities are designed to engage students and discuss the broader implications of how science is used or abused in the Canadian Criminal Justice System.
Forensic Science and Wrongful Convictions - Ideal for: Law Studies 12
Available May 2022 onwards
Presented by Britny Martlin
Reliable forensic evidence is extremely important in the criminal justice system. This presentation will introduce the concept of wrongful convictions and discuss how forensic evidence has been used both in cases of wrongful convictions and to exonerate those who have been wrongfully convicted, focusing mainly on the Canadian context. At the end of this presentation students will have an understanding of the importance of valid scientific evidence and the criteria for admissibility of such evidence in the legal system.
Gentrification in Global Cities - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
This presentation explains what we mean when we talk about gentrification, and offers chronologies of how this happens in cities that compete in a global context. Some case studies will demonstrate how this process affects urban environments and people. Students will be invited to examine gentrifying forces in places familiar to them.
It’s a fact! Or is it? The turbulence of gender. - Ideal for: Social Justice and Urban Studies
Presented by Reema Faris
Societies and cultures tend to think about gender as a system of binaries. That is, as two distinct and opposing categories of sex, gender, and gender presentation: male/female, man/woman, masculine/feminine. In this traditional approach, people can be certain about the identity of individuals and where they fit in the general scheme of life. But is gender really all that certain? What about those who do not fit in to either of the two boxes? And how do different theories about gender help to shed light on these questions? It is an important topic to explore because the concept of a gender binary has meant that many people, especially women and minorities, have been unable to claim agency (the ability to act on their own), economic independence, social freedom, reproductive choice, safety, and security. In this way, the gender binary helps to create and sustain social hierarchies. It is a key factor in perpetuating power, privilege, and status. However, there are always those who speak up and speak out to challenge the gender binary system in the struggle for equality, social justice, and fairness.
Jordan's Principle: Standing up for Children in the Past and Present - Ideal For: B.C. First Peoples 12, Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, 20th Century World History, Social Justice 12, or a Law Studies 12
Presented by Leah Wiener
This presentation focuses on the history of Jordan's Principle, a goal set by the federal government to ensure that Indigenous children with complex medical needs can access care with minimal red tape. Leah will demonstrate how this principle has a long history by sharing how children have experienced poor medical care as a result of bureaucracies. This presentation will allow students to explore case files from the past, and will demonstrate the ongoing relevance of legislation such as the British North America Act and the Indian Act. It will also teach students about Indigenous history beyond the residential school system. This presentation would be appropriate for B.C. First Peoples 12, Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, 20th Century World History, Social Justice 12, or a Law Studies 12 class.
Life on the Front Lawn - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
As we examine the evolution and role of lawns in urban and suburban communities, students will be introduced to questions about ideas of "home" and social control through neighbourhood regulation of residential green space. Following an analysis of the ways lawns can affect human behaviour, students will explore the ways in which the choice of a lawn impacts other species. Students will be introduced to the Rights of Nature and to movements that promote this ecological philosophy
Put that Book Down! The Trope and the Truth About Women and Reading - Ideal for: Social Justice, English Studies
Presented by Reema Faris
The new Netflix series Bridgerton often show friends Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington reading or being told to put their books down. It is a new cultural representation of a historical trope. Societies view women readers with fear, anxiety, and suspicion because women who read are different. They are dangerous because they will learn, they will know too much, they will want more from life. Women have always challenged attempts to control or stop their reading, with different degrees of success around the world or based on different identities. Today, it is more important than ever to examine the relationship between women, reading, and power because the appearance of literacy being available to all women, especially in so-called equal-access digital environments, may be more of an illusion than real. Reading is still a key factor in women’s ability to understand life, wonder at the world’s beauty, build solidarity, make meaning, and fight for change to conditions that continue to limit their participation as citizens.
A Railway Siding Miles from Anywhere: The School and Dental Cars of Northern Ontario - Ideal for: B.C. First Peoples 12 and Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12
Presented by Leah Wiener
This presentation explores the fascinating history of railway classrooms and dentists offices, which enabled children in remote communities to get education and medical care in the early to mid twentieth century. The school and dental cars were classrooms and dentists offices that were operated by the provincial government, with cooperation from railway companies. Students will learn how ideas about education have changed over the past century, and how provisions for education and medical care were fundamental to Canadian settlement. We will also examine how Indigenous children experienced these programs as an alternative to residential schooling. This presentation would be appropriate for B.C. First Peoples 12, Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, 20th Century World History, Social Justice 12, or a Law Studies 12 class.
Science for Justice: An Introduction to Forensic Anthropology - Ideal for: Law Studies, Biology, Psychology
Available May 2022 onwards.
Presented by Britny Martlin
Have you always loved watching BONES or CSI? Have you always wondered how to identify somebody with only their bones? In this talk Britny will discuss her academic journey which led her to becoming a PhD student in the Criminology department at SFU as a forensic anthropologist. We will look at how forensic anthropology fits within the criminal justice system and some of the methods we use to locate and identify unknown deceased individuals based on their skeleton, as well as some of the experimental research that Britny has completed on saw mark analysis.
Serious Games – Serious Science: How Video Games are Changing the Way we do Research - Ideal for: Psychology
Presented by Robin Barrett
In this talk, Robin will talk about how he got into the world of eSports data science and give a tour of some of the latest findings from cognitive science, which have used replay files from eSports games to study the way in which people learn and acquire expertise over time. Students will leave this workshop with a better understanding of the types of careers that exist in cognitive psychology and will also engage in discussion as to how they can apply the findings from eSports research into their own life to better improve their study habits and learning practices.
The Social Echoes - "Learning to Unlearn" – Ideal for: Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, B.C. First Peoples 12, Social Justice 11/12, Law Studies 12
Presented by: Soraya Janus
Through exploring the symbolism of Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas’ The Flight of the Hummingbird, we hope to find ways to invite relations with people in our own communities by assuming a position of curiosity, respect, and humility. We must first delve into our own ontological securities, and begin to unravel who we are as individuals. Through the use of relational learning we will supply our audiences with the opportunity to learn and unlearn, to be guided and not to impose. Our goal is to unpack and reiterate the importance of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action by listening to Indigenous voices, experiences, and histories. Together, we can build a framework for justice, where stories are heard and amplified, and where the truth is acknowledged. We encourage a circle that nurtures a diverse, inclusive, and safe space which enables everyone to have part in the conversation. As the hummingbird parable reminds us, no effort is too little or too small. With that, let's learn how to be a better ally.
Urban Dirt - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
Where do cities hide their dirt? Who performs urban "dirty" work? Why do we cover so much of the soil in our cities with pavement and asphalt, and how does this affect the quality of the dirt in our cities? This presentation will look at why the idea of "dirt" carries stigma when, as a finite resource, it is so valuable. After a quick look at organizations like the Depave movement that uncovers and cares for dirt in urban spaces, students will be invited to think about how they might care for the soil in their own communities.
Urban Space, Surveillance Regimes, and Social Control - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
This presentation explores how spaces in cities are designed in ways that tell us who is allowed to be there and what activities are (or are not) permitted. What does this tell us about humans and the spaces we use? Students will be invited to examine public spaces in their own lives where there might be examples of hostile or defensive architecture, to discuss reasons why those spaces need "defending," and to collaborate in an imagined re-design to make a space welcoming and accessible.
Virtual Reality Research: An Intro to the Digital Frontier - Ideal for: Psychology
Presented by Robin Barrett
As virtual reality headsets become increasingly affordable, more and more people and businesses are seeing the potential for virtual reality to make an impact in their lives. Already, VR has been used to create digital training platforms, virtual communities, research environments for studying human psychology, and of course, games. In this workshop, students will be introduced to the world of virtual reality, with a special emphasis on research being done by labs at SFU. Following a discussion of what uses they think virtual reality might have in helping society, students will be introduced to the various roles involved in bringing an idea to reality and be encouraged to begin work on their own projects in virtual reality, whether it be making games, products, or building their own experiments into psychology.Students will be introduced to resources that are free and available to anyone with a computer, whether or not they have a headset of their own.
What do We Mean When We Talk about Street Trees? - Ideal for: Human Geography 12 and Urban Studies 12
Presented by Kate Elliott
Are street trees part of the urban forest? What valuable services do the trees on our streets offer the city and the humans within it? As we look at street trees in the Lower Mainland, students will explore the many roles these trees play, the benefits they offer if appropriately selected, and the damage that can result if they are not.
Presented by Cheyanne Connell
This presentation introduces students to the study of urban indigeneity—Indigenous peoples living in cities and “non-Indigenous” environments—and offers a critical lens of how urban Indigenous peoples are talked about in scholarship. Students will explore the use of the diaspora framework, including the origin of the term diaspora; experiences of urban Indigenous peoples in Canada, the US and Japan, based on widely-circulated scholarship; and the shortcomings and problematic narratives of such scholarship. From this, they will learn how urban Indigenous experience in present day often contradicts the static traditional-based ideas of indigeneity and is more diverse and complex than most realize.