¹û½´ÊÓƵ

We find ourselves in a time of distress, disorder and disorientation. What can we do as scholars to right the tilts? This year’s conference theme is inspired by a sustainability ethos championed and embodied by some of the best advocates of hope: bell hooks, Paolo Freire, Rebecca Solnit and Jane Goodall, to name a few. Their pedagogies and theories of hope describe active engagement, not passive feeling. Our aim for the conference is to create a dynamic space where ¹û½´ÊÓƵ graduate students can explore the intersectional and interdisciplinary nature of their various specializations as they contribute to the broader practice of hope, including collective radical hope. The collective radical hope we wish for all participants and attendees to embody is one that is holistic—encompassing critical explorations of our environmental sustainability, democracy, participation and community. These expressions of hope will include formats ranging from panel discussions, roundtables, online poster presentations and workshops.

This conference would not have been possible without the primary support of the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ Dean's Office and Registrar's Office & Student Experience. 

In addition, we wish to thank the following departments and centres for their generous sponsorships:

1. Leadership, Higher and Adult Education
2. Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
3. Applied Psychology and Human Development
4. Social Justice Education
5. Centre for Media, Culture and Education (CMCE)

We are grateful, too, for the generosity of the ¹û½´ÊÓƵ Sustainability Fund, as well as the UTGSU Conference & Academic Engagement Grant.

Last but not least, the opening day of the conference is a wonderful cross-faculty collaboration with: