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"The Master of Public Policy program has a great reputation. I was attracted to the program’s holistic curriculum and incredible faculty, and I knew the program would prepare me to confidently enter the field of public policy."
Matia Theodosakis
Public Policy master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
My name is Matia Theodosakis and I am a Master of Public Policy student at SFU. I grew up in the Okanagan Valley on the unceded traditional territories of the Syilx people. Before coming to this program, I worked mainly as a creator of story-based, interactive educational materials. My current research focus on accessibility in post-secondary institutions, particularly for students with psychiatric disabilities. Academic ableism is a barrier to opportunities for so many talented people with diverse and valuable experiences and perspectives, and I want to help make higher education more accessible. Part of this work is being open about my positionality as a person with lived experience and raising the issues of mental health and disability within academic spaces. I am also interested in Indigenous policy and intersectionality-based policy analysis.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?
The Master of Public Policy program has a great reputation. I was attracted to the program’s holistic curriculum and incredible faculty, and I knew the program would prepare me to confidently enter the field of public policy.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
I am fortunate to have a family that has always supported my work, and they have had to listen to me talk about my research too often. But I would describe my research as: I want to figure out what barriers students with disabilities face and how policy can reduce those barriers, and I also want to help amplify and support the resiliency of students with disabilities.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?
I have really enjoyed the opportunities for activism and meaningful work within my program. As a member of our program’s mental health committee, I have had the opportunity to work in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, promote mental health within our program, and work with my incredible classmates.
Contact : mtheodos@sfu.ca