Celebrating research excellence and faculty accomplishments at FASS Forum 2024

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) celebrated the many accomplishments of the past year in its annual event, FASS Forum. FASS faculty, staff, and graduate students commemorated at the Halpern Centre at SFU Burnaby.

FASS Dean Laurel Weldon opened the event with a warm welcome and a reflection on the many incredible accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni over the past year including the ground-breaking research published by our nationally and globally renowned scholars.

Weldon commended FASS' research excellence which has seen widespread media coverage and amplification this past year, with our experts speaking on topics ranging from the war in Ukraine to vaccine mandates. Partnerships with research societies and Indigenous communities have further advanced our commitment to public outreach and reconciliation.

FASS Forum hosts a much anticipated series every year, a sequence of flash talks presented by numerous scholars within our faculty. FASS is a large and diverse faculty and the flash talks provide a much welcomed opportunity for our academics to share their vast research with colleagues in other fields. Topics ranging from the concept of home for Muslim minorities in China to bias in police photo lineups, faculty members gave attendees a three minute overview of their respective research fields.

We were grateful to host a keynote from Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC), Nicholas Reo. Reo (Anishinaabe) is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and recently joined the Department of Indigenous Studies as part of the first group of researchers to ever receive a CERC appointment for Simon Fraser University.

At FASS Forum, Reo introduced the concept for his CERC research project “Coastal Realities and Regeneration”. His research project will support Indigenous land and sea-tenure systems, land-based healing practices, foodways and associated knowledge. This multi-site CERC will amplify Indigenous leadership in coastal tenure and contribute research relevant to Indigenous collective continuance and land repossession.

The evening wrapped with a lovely reception where wine, mocktails, and canapés were shared amongst the faculty accompanied by live piano music. We are pleased to have another great turnout for FASS Forum and we look forward to gathering and celebrating next year.