Articles by author: cszczepanowski

• April 6, 2026 – “Vibrations From Gaza” (2023) Film Screening and Discussion

  Thursday, March 19, 2026 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Please join us on April 6th from 12-2pm for a screening and panel discussion of the award winning short film, Vibrations from Gaza (2023). The director, Rehab Nazzal (joining us virtually from Bethlehem) and Norma Rantisi (Concordia) who will be here in person, will discuss the film and its reception.

  Vibrations from Gaza offers a glimpse into the experiences of Deaf children in the colonized and confined coastal territory of Gaza, Palestine. Born and raised under siege and frequent onslaughts, these children, including Amani, Musa, Israa, and others, provide vivid accounts of their encounter with bombardment and the constant presence of drones in their sky. The children describe their perceptions of missiles strikes through sensing vibrations in the air, trembling of the ground, and the resonance of collapsing buildings. The film also questions whether the deafness of these children is a natural or a consequence of Israel’s use of sonic weaponry, such as sonic booms.

  With support from the Ontario Arts Council, Rehab Nazzal embarked on a journey to Gaza Strip via Egypt, circumventing the restrictions placed by the Israeli occupation regime which prohibits access to Gaza from the West Bank, without individual permits—rarely issued. While in Gaza, Nazzal worked with children in an Art Therapy program following 2021 attack. She was deeply touched by the conditions and experiences of Deaf children at the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children and began questioning the deafness of the world towards the conditions of 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza.

  This film gives Palestinian Deaf children in the besieged Gaza a voice to articulate and share their experiences, shedding light on the horrific conditions they have been enduring since 2007.

  Monday, April 6, 2026, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
  Sankey Chambers at Brock University

  The event is free and a Palestinian lunch will be served. All are welcome. RSVP through ExperienceBU. 

  Co-hosted by: The President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization and the Social Justice Research Institute. Co-sponsored by: the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies; the MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies; and the Muslim Medical Association of Canada (MMAC)—Niagara Chapter.

  Tags: Discussions, Events, Films
  Categories: News and Events

• March 31, 2026 – Free Yoga Session with the Centre

  Thursday, March 19, 2026 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Join the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as we de-stress before exams and get active! This 50-minute yoga session will be led by Rianna Reid, a WGST student and yoga teacher based in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

  Yoga mats and blocks can be provided. Advance registration through ExperienceBU is required to attend, as space and supplies are limited. The session will begin at 11:10 am and run until noon, however, all participants are required to arrive by 11:00 am to set up and for opening remarks. The session is being held at the Dance Studio (room 202) in the Walker Sports Complex at Brock University. It is free to attend.

  Following the session, we welcome everyone to join us at Tim Hortons at the Hungry Badger in Walker Complex for a lunchtime social!

  Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 11:00am to 12:00pm
  Dance Studio, Room 202, Walker Sports Complex at Brock University

  Hosted by the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies.

  Tags: Events, Fitness, Socials
  Categories: News and Events

• March 26, 2026 – Artful Resilience: Moving Beyond Denialism

  Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | By cszczepanowski

  

  As part of the ongoing commitment to residential school denialism and honouring Indigenous survivance, resilience, and good relations, the Decolonization Working Group of PACHRED is hosting Artful Resilience: Moving Beyond Denialism on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

  They invite students, staff, and faculty to share their creative work at a community art gathering. All art forms are welcome (music, poetry, visual art, storytelling, performance, and more) as ways of remembering, witnessing, and imagining otherwise together. Everyone is invited to join in learning.

  The first 15 artists to register will be invited to share their work for up to 5 minutes each. This gathering is meant to be a respectful, supportive space for creative expression, reflection, and connection. Each presenting artist will receive a $50 Tim Horton’s gift card as an expression of gratitude and appreciation. To begin the process of registering as an artist, apply through the artists’ registration on ExperienceBU.

  Faculty, staff, and students who wish to attend should register through the general event registration on ExperienceBU. Community members are invited to email Allison at [email protected].

  Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
  Goodman Atrium at Brock University

  Dinner will be catered by Nokomis Eve’s Traditional Foods. 

  Hosted by: the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization’s Decolonization Working Group. Sponsored by: the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies, the Office of Human Rights and Equity, Indigenous Educational Studies, and the Vice-Provost of Indigenous Engagement.

  Tags: Discussions, Events, Lyn Trudeau, Presentations, WGST Faculty
  Categories: News and Events

• March 23, 2026 – Flowers For Her Future Fundraiser

  Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | By cszczepanowski

  

  In honour of International Women’s Day, Brocku Women in Self-Defense invites you to Flowers For Her Future, an evening rooted in creativity, connection, and collective impact.

  Your ticket gives you full access to all activities: flower bouquets, making friendship bracelets, contributing to a collaborative club tapestry, and hearing from a guest speaker from the @defensive_arts who works directly with women in their training sessions. You’ll also enjoy special food and dessert stations, take part in our one-year anniversary cake-cutting, have a chance to win a prize, and take home a small gift that grows into something special. BUWSD is also excited to welcome a guest speaker from the Defensive Arts Training Centre (DATC), the organization that has supported and led many of their self-defense sessions. They’ll be sharing a few words during the event about the importance of self-defense and confidence.

  Attendees are required to secure their ticket beforehand. Even if you RSVP, your ticket will not be confirmed until payment is received. Payments can be made via e-transfer to [email protected]. Entry is $6.50, which includes access to all activities, a bouquet to create, and food.  Every dollar raised will go directly toward donations for Westview Centre4Women, a local organization that provides resources and support for women in the Niagara region.

  Monday, March 23, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:30pm
  Pond Inlet at Brock University

  Hosted by Brocku Womein in Self-Defense. Co-sponsored by the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies and Masala Corner Hamilton. With support from the Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre; the Child and Youth Studies Association; Plant-Based at Brock; Women in STEM; Brock BIPOC Sisters in STEM; and Brock Students for Circular Economy.

  Tags: Events, fundraisers, Socials
  Categories: News and Events

• February 11, 2026 – Special Gathering to Honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People

  Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Join students from the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies for a meaningful gathering dedicated to remembrance, reflection, and education in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people. This event is grounded in creating a respectful space to acknowledge the lives lost, the ongoing violence faced by Indigenous communities, and the systemic failures that continue to enable this crisis.

  Participants will have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Lyn Trudeau, who will reflect on the significance of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people and the importance of remembrance, relationality, and care. Dr. Jennifer Brant will further contribute to the learning and community presence at the event. Following these reflections, participants will take part in creating red paper dresses, each accompanied by a short note to honour those who have been lost and to acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonial violence and gender-based harm against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. This gathering aims to foster collective reflection, learning, and solidarity through both dialogue and creative engagement.

  A free lunch will be provided. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to ensure the Centre is able to provide enough free food and refreshments. This event is open to everyone.

  Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
  Cairn’s Complex room 207 at Brock University

  Hosted by the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies.

  Tags: Discussions, Events, Lyn Trudeau, Presentations, WGST Faculty
  Categories: News and Events

• December 5, 2025 – Whose Safety Matters? Anti-racist Feminist and Queer/Trans Perspectives on Gendered Violence

  Friday, December 05, 2025 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Welcome to Social Sciences Day 2025! In this presentation on Whose Safety Matters? Anti-racist Feminist and Queer/Trans Perspectives on Gendered Violence, students will learn from Dr. Hijin Park and Dr. Margot Francis about gendered violence from perspectives studied in our program.

  Dr. Hijin Park‘s lecture will examine how a decolonial and intersectional analysis of violence assist us to better understand violence, and address questions such as: how is violence systemic rather than individual and random, and are there alternatives to locking-up perpetrators?

  With Dr. Margot Francis, explore why trans and queer lives are now up for debate everywhere from the US presidential election, to provincial politics in Canada. How does this media, and political and legislative violence impact the everyday realities of queer and trans people, and how are we fighting back?

  Caitlin Szczepanowski will provide a welcome and give an introduction to the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies.

  Friday, December 5, 2025, from 10:35am to 1:00pm
  Goodman School of Business Room 406 at Brock University

  This presentation is part of a larger event and is designed to give high school students the chance to experience a typical university lecture/class for programs in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Sessions are assigned and only available to classes and schools registered for the event. For more information on Social Sciences Day, contact the Faculty of Social Sciences.

  Tags: Events, Margot Francis, Presentations, Social Sciences Day, WGST Faculty
  Categories: News and Events

• December 3, 2025 – Women’s and Gender Studies Student Art Social

  Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Join students from the Centre for Women’s and Gender studies for a session of art, good discussion, and delicious treats! Use our art supplies or bring your own to create meaningful and creative art pieces with others. In this space, students will be encouraged to reflect on current issues in WGST, and will have the opportunity to hear from Taylor Court, Brock’s Gender and Sexual Violence Support and Education Coordinator, who will speak on gender-based violence support and education.

  If you plan to attend, please RSVP to ensure the Centre is able to provide enough free food and refreshments. This event is open to everyone!

  Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
  Thistle Complex Room 254 at Brock University

  Hosted by the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies.

  Tags: Events, Socials
  Categories: News and Events

• November 5, 2025 – Medicine on the Frontlines: Healthcare and Palestinian Statehood

  Friday, October 17, 2025 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Join us in Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre for Medicine on the Frontlines: Healthcare and Palestinian Statehood, an evening with Dr. Tarek Loubani.

  Dr. Loubani is a Palestinian Canadian physician, an associate professor at the Schulich School of Medicine at Western University, and co-founder of GLIA, a global innovator of high-quality medical equipment operating on the principle that quality healthcare should be accessible to all. For the past fifteen years Dr. Loubani has trained medical staff in Gaza and worked at Nasser Hospital this summer. He will discuss the systemic destruction of Palestinian healthcare infrastructure in a time of genocide and how local-global alliances can build support for Palestinian life, sovereignty, and statehood.

  Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
  Recital Hall at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
  250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON

  This is a FREE event! Please register on Eventbrite or ExperienceBU. 

  Download a PDF of this poster to share.

  Co-sponsored by: The President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization; Social Justice Research Institute; Faculty for Palestine – Brock Chapter; Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies; MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies; Indigenous Educational Studies at Brock University; Zanab Jafry Shah; Niagara Movement for Justice in Palestine/Israel; 905 Palestine, Independent Jewish Voices – Hamilton; Jewish Faculty Network – Southwest Ontario; Silver Spire Church; and Muslim Medical Association of Canada (MMAC)—Niagara Chapter.

  Tags: Discussions, Events, Presentations
  Categories: News and Events

• October 30, 2025 – Antisemitism: Law, Justice, and Decolonization in a Time of Genocide

  Thursday, October 09, 2025 | By cszczepanowski

  

  As the world watches Israel’s devastating war against the Palestinian people, we are seeing a sharp rise in accusations that criticism of Israel is equivalent to antisemitism. We are pleased to welcome this panel of scholars, who are associated with the Jewish Faculty Network, as they consider the weaponization of antisemitism from a variety of angles – at a time when actual antisemitism is surging dangerously and yet going unaddressed. Join us this event: Antisemitism: Law, Justice, and Decolonization in a Time of Genocide.

  The JFN is a network of Jewish scholars from universities and colleges across Canada who are committed to addressing all forms of racism and the defence of academic freedom. At this event will be:

  Alejando I. Paz, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Toronto – Israeli Settler-Colonialism After 1967 and the Emergence of the “New Antisemitism”

  Sheryl Nestel, Sociologist, Affiliated Scholar, New College, University of Toronto –The International Holocaust Remembrance Working Definition of Antisemitism: A Global Strategy to Silence Pro-Palestinian Speech

  Jillian Rogin, Associate Professor, University of Windsor, Faculty of Law, Criminal Defense Lawyer – Pro-Israel Advocacy and Hate Speech Legislation in Canada

  Tuesday, October 30, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
  Plaza Building Room 600F at Brock University

  A Palestinian buffet will be provided.

  Register for this event on ExperienceBU. Download a PDF of this poster to share.

  Co-sponsored by:  President’s Advisory Committee for Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization; Social Justice Research Institute; MA Program in Social Justice and Equity Studies; Indigenous Educational Studies; Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies.

  Tags: Buffet, Discussions, Events, Panels
  Categories: News and Events

• September 29, 2025 – Women’s and Gender Studies Student Social

  Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | By cszczepanowski

  

  Get together with the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies! Join us for great conversation and the opportunity to play games to win awesome Brock and WGST prizes! It’s the perfect time to meet with fellow students and the people in the Centre and learn more about the program. This event is open to everyone and we hope to see you there!

  If you plan to attend, please RSVP to ensure the Centre is able to provide enough free food and refreshments.

  Monday, September 29, 2025, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
  Rankin Family Pavilion Room 214/215 at Brock University

  Hosted by the Centre for Women’s and Gender Studies.

  Tags: Socials
  Categories: News and Events