Idris Khan, MA candidate (Geography) and recipient of a FOSS Student Research Award, will present the following talk:

The Shifting Constitution of Gender & Mobility in a Context of Religious and Infrastructural Change: A Case Study of the Swat Valley, Pakistan

Feminist geographers argue that gender and mobility are co-constituted. However, few studies focus on this relationship empirically, and even fewer in the global South. Against this backdrop, my research aims to analyze the ways in which gender and mobility are co-constituted in Swat Valley, Pakistan, in a shifting historical context of (a) traditional Pukhtun culture involving a syncretic religion, (b) Islamic fundamentalism and the takeover by Taliban, and (c) post-Taliban modernization in its various forms, including a new market economy and tourist-based infrastructure development. My research temporally maps these particular gendered, spatial, and mobility changes over a period of time (16th century to present), showing that (a) gendered spatiality in historical Swat evolved in such a way to constitute partially gender-segregated spaces that allowed women some freedom of mobility beyond their home; (b) more recently, Islamic fundamentalist ideologies fundamentally controlled women’s mobilities to erase them from both public space and certain types of private space that had formerly been accessible to women (e.g., shrines); and (c) although modernization and infrastructure development are leading to more public spaces for both women and men, social norms and the class dynamics of a market economy continue to differentially affect the free movement of women.

supervisor: David  Butz, Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies

Patrick Segawa, MA candidate (Child and Youth Studies) and recipient of a FOSS Student Research Award, will present the following talk:

Drawing on Lived Experience of Peer Support Workers in the provision of Substance and Addiction Services in St. Catharines; a case study of ABC HEALTH CENTRE

In a qualitative study conducted in St. Catharines, Canada, six peer support workers from ABC Health Centre shared their valuable insights into the provision of substance and addiction services. These peer support workers, most of whom were former clients themselves, are driven by a profound motivation to assist young individuals facing similar challenges on their journey to recovery.  

Their daily responsibilities encompass conducting one-on-one sessions, leading group discussions, and connecting clients with essential information and services. The benefits of peer support are evident, as it not only aids in recovery but also empowers clients to make informed, healthy decisions about their rehabilitation. 

However, these dedicated individuals encounter their own set of challenges. They often feel vulnerable, grapple with the dilemma of oversharing, and find it difficult to hear about similar traumas. Additionally, there’s a persistent fear of being placed in compromising situations. 

In conclusion, peer support workers are instrumental in the recovery process for youth and young adults, serving as role models who build trust-based relationships. Their primary goal is to give back by sharing their lived experiences and helping others overcome substance and addiction challenges, despite the personal hurdles they may face 

supervisor: Rebecca Raby, Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Studies

Megan Vlahiotis (Psychology), recipient of a FOSS Student Research Award, will present the following talk:

Indigenous Representation and Anti-Indigenous Racism in Canadian Anti-Stigma Campaigns: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Canada’s drug toxicity crisis disproportionately affects Indigenous people because of health inequities from ongoing settler colonization. Substance use stigma has been proposed as a leading cause of drug-related deaths because it prevents people who use drugs (PWUD) from accessing resources. This stigma is compounded for Indigenous PWUD who also face racism tied to stereotypes about substance use. Anti-stigma campaigns are a possible solution, but a recent review (Neufeld, 2022) has shown that these campaigns do not represent the people most impacted by substance use harms in Canada. A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of 134 Canadian anti-stigma campaigns examined the representation of substance use in Indigenous communities as well as how campaigns portrayed the intersection of substance use stigma and anti-Indigenous racism. Analysis suggests that Canadian anti-stigma campaigns are hesitant to talk about the impacts of substance use on Indigenous communities. Analysis also showed that campaigns often represent Indigenous communities positively as strong and resilient through accounts shared by Indigenous PWUD. Finally, when anti-stigma campaigns represent Indigenous PWUD they highlight health-related inequities more often than directly naming anti-Indigenous racism and its intersection with substance use stigma. Recognizing the intersection between substance use-related stigma and anti-Indigenous racism is crucial in reducing substance-use stigma.

supervisor: Scott Neufeld, Lecturer in the Department of Psychology

Pascal Lupien, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, will present the following talk:

#Resistencia: Indigenous Movements, Social Media, and the 2019 Uprisings in Latin America

In late 2019, communities across South America erupted in protest, marking the largest uprisings in a generation. The research Lupien will present in this talk, part of a larger project,  examines how Indigenous social movement organizations (SMOs) used social media during the protest events, and the extent to which they believe these tools have enhanced or hindered their efforts. The talk will show that social media have become an integral part of Indigenous SMO’s strategical repertoires, but they also create new threats and barriers that can negatively affect key protest activities.

Tony Volk, Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Studies, will present the following talk:

The Origins of Evil

Harmful and antisocial behaviour, or “evil”, is a topic of great interest in the social sciences and in general society. The scientific study of this behaviour has advanced significantly over the last 100 years. This talk will focus on briefly presenting the evolutionary, social and developmental origins of evil tendencies and behaviour along with suggestions of how we can counter that kind of behaviour.