Department of Sociology

Faculty of Information

SSHRC

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Harmata Aboubakar (L) and Julia Jeonghyun Parke (supplied images)

University of Toronto PhD students Harmata Aboubakar and Julia Jeonghyun Parke have been named among five winners of the 2024 Storytellers Challenge by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

The annual challenge asks post-secondary students across the country to inspire audiences with a compelling research story – in up to 300 words or three minutes – demonstrating how SSHRC-funded research is making a difference in the lives of Canadians.

Aboubakar, a PhD student in the department of sociology in the Faculty of Arts & Science, crafted a video story, “Contested Memories and Revised Myths,” that examines how collective memory shapes identity and belonging. Drawing on archival analysis and interviews with former members of the Mau Mau movement that originated in Kenya in the 1950s, Aboubakar argues that memories shift in response to transnational politics, and explores implications of the research for reconciliation, justice and addressing historical grievances.

Parke, a PhD student in the Faculty of Information, also submitted a video story, “Speculating Race: Creator Motivations for Designing Virtual Influencers of Colour,” that discusses the juxtaposition between market research that asserts that white and female influencers are disproportionately favoured by both audiences and brands and the virtual influencer world, where a majority of CGI- and AI-rendered characters present themselves as ethnic minorities. The project addresses critical questions about who creates virtual social media influencers and what drives their choice of race and ethnic identity in the design of these non-human agents.

Read about the 2024 Storytellers Challenge

Watch Harmata Aboubakar’s winning entry

Watch Julia Jeonghyun Parke’s winning entry

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Kelly Hannah-Moffat named 2024 Woman of Distinction by YWCA Toronto

rahul.kalvapalle — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:46:21 +0000

Kelly Hannah-Moffat named 2024 Woman of Distinction by YWCA Toronto

Community

rahul.kalvapalle Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:46

Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies

Division of People Strategy

Equity & Culture

People Strategy

YWCA Women of Distinction

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Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat (photo by Moussa Faddoul)

Kelly Hannah-Moffat, the University of Toronto’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, has been named a 2024 Woman of Distinction by YWCA Toronto.

The annual award celebrates extraordinary women who are working to advance gender equity across a range of areas such as business, education, social justice, advocacy, health, arts and philanthropy.

Hannah-Moffat, a professor in the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies who is cross-appointed to the department of sociology, is a world-renowned scholar, administrator and advocate for penal reform who is playing a leading role in pushing for change in the criminal justice system, YWCA Toronto noted.

“Her work advocates for human rights and challenges oppressive practices within the justice system, especially those that harm criminalized women who are disproportionately Indigenous and Black. She has forged a path through uncharted territory since the late 1990s,” the award citation reads. “Kelly’s expertise and recommendations have been sought out for numerous legal cases and inquests investigating women’s prison conditions, solitary confinement and rights violations, impacting policies with the prison system.”

YWCA Toronto also cited Hannah-Moffat’s groundbreaking work on risk algorithms and AI’s potential to reproduce bias, structural inequalities and racial discrimination.

She and four other laureates will be celebrated at YWCA Toronto’s Women of Distinction Awards Gala in May.

"I hope learning about the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and its recipients motivates at least one more person to reflect on what they can do and what changes they can make to create opportunities for women in all areas of society," Hannah-Moffat said.

Silvia Sellán awarded Dean’s Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

lanthierj — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 16:17:02 +0000

Silvia Sellán awarded Dean’s Doctoral Excellence Scholarship

Academic Achievement

lanthierj Mon, 08/09/2021 - 12:17

Students

Department of Computer Science

Department of Geography and Planning

Department of Statistical Sciences

Women in STEM

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Silvia Sellán, a PhD student in the department of computer science, has been awarded the Faculty of Arts & Science's Dean’s Doctoral Excellence Scholarship.

The scholarship recognizes students’ academic excellence, the impact of their research, contributions toward colleagues and other students – and the leadership they demonstrate beyond their research activities.

“It's a real honour and means a lot to me,” says Sellán, whose research focuses on geometry processing, a sub-discipline of computer graphics that spans the three-dimensional real and digital worlds.

“I already consider myself lucky to get paid to do research. To be recognized on top of that makes me very happy.”

Alec Jacobson, an assistant professor in the department of computer science and Sellán’s supervisor, said Sellán exemplifies the qualities that the scholarship rewards.

“Silvia is deeply curious,” Jacobson said. “She participates actively at our conferences and symposia, frequently asking questions and arranging follow-up discussions with fellow researchers. She is discerning about which questions are interesting academically and which questions are important.”

Three runners-up for the scholarship were also recognized with A&S Doctoral Excellence Scholarships:

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Akwasi Owusu-Bempah recognized with President’s Impact Award

lanthierj — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:25:53 +0000

Akwasi Owusu-Bempah recognized with President’s Impact Award

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Wed, 03/31/2021 - 13:25

Mississauga

President's Impact Award

��οMississauga

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For his research and work to raise awareness and understanding of issues related to inequality and the criminal justice system, Akwasi Owusu-Bempah has received the President’s Impact Award.

An assistant professor in the department of sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, Owusu-Bempah’s findings have informed public policy around such important issues as race, policing and drug laws.

“My work aims to identify and ameliorate various forms of inequality in our criminal justice system and beyond,” says Owusu-Bempah. “I’m both humbled and heartened to have received the President’s Impact Award for my efforts in this area.”

Owusu-Bempah has worked with all levels of government, including Senate and House of Commons standing committees, provincial investigative bodies, and municipal advisory panels. His research and writing have been used to advance judicial education, and the education of both the Crown and defence bars. His co-authored expert report in the trial R. v. Morris led to a significant evolution in the way Black offenders are sentenced in Ontario courts.

“The University of Toronto has been very supportive of my research and the resources available to faculty at our institution are second to none. This award will help me to continue to raise awareness about pressing social issues, and ultimately, to effect positive social change.”

Read the ��οMississauga story

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Jerry Flores honoured by American Sociological Association

lanthierj — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 18:37:32 +0000

Jerry Flores honoured by American Sociological Association

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Wed, 07/29/2020 - 14:37

Mississauga

Flores received a Connaught New Researcher Award in 2019.

��οMississauga

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The University of Toronto Mississauga’s Jerry Flores has received the 2021 American Sociological Association Distinguished Early Career Award of the Section on Children and Youth - which honours exceptional research contributions to the sociology of children and youth.

An assistant professor in the department of sociology, Flores conducts research on gender and crime, prisons and race. Much of his research has focused on juvenile detention facilities, and the impact of incarceration on youth. He has also conducted studies on “jail pedagogy,” which looks at how juvenile prisoners are educated in prisons.

His first book, Caught Up: Girls, Surveillance and Wraparound Incarceration, examines young Latina prisoners in southern California and their transition to prison life. The book reveals how detention centres can push youth further into the criminal justice system.

Flores hopes the award and the narratives of young people can help bring positive social change. He aims to continue writing about inequality, and how it disproportionately affects Latina and Indigenous women.

“My ultimate goal is to live in a world where research like my own is no longer necessary,” he said.

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Classroom challenges as research questions: Rachel La Touche receives Early Career Teaching Award

lanthierj — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 21:05:41 +0000

Classroom challenges as research questions: Rachel La Touche receives Early Career Teaching Award

Teaching

lanthierj Thu, 06/18/2020 - 17:05

Early Career Teaching Award

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Rachel La Touche, an assistant professor, teaching stream, in the department of sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Science, has received the Early Career Teaching Award – which recognizes exceptional commitment to student learning, pedagogy and teaching innovation.

La Touche’s research focuses on decolonization, inequality, mental health and teaching pedagogy in higher education. She mentors undergraduate and graduate students and has published about teaching and learning pedagogy. She also volunteers as a tutor for a non-profit afterschool program.

La Touche is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment for students. “When I tackle classroom challenges as research questions, it requires me to consider a broad spectrum of factors in student learning – such as family life, employment and learning challenges,” says La Touche. She is dedicated to discovering innovative teaching techniques.

“Receiving this award makes me hungry for the next challenge,” says La Touche. “I plan to turn my attention to developing teaching resources, assessment tools and innovative and accessible course design for the unique needs of students and faculty in today’s higher ed.”

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Taylor Price places among top 25 in SSHRC 2020 Storytellers competition

lanthierj — Mon, 25 May 2020 18:37:24 +0000

Taylor Price places among top 25 in SSHRC 2020 Storytellers competition

Academic Achievement

lanthierj Mon, 05/25/2020 - 14:37

Students

SSHRC