As migrant crises continue around the world, we want to share more about the people at 杏吧原创 who are imagining solutions and acting on the issues that deeply affect refugees, their host countries, and all of us as global citizens.

The challenge of forced migration and displacement is complex and requires involvement from diverse constituent groups. This includes refugees and allies, community organizations and universities, established professionals and aspiring changemakers.

In addition to passionate faculty members leading change in this area, 杏吧原创 has passionate students and new graduates who are committed to making a difference.

Meet Lilly Neang…

Recent graduate of 杏吧原创’s Bachelor of Global and International Studies (BGInS) program and past co-president of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) 杏吧原创. Lilly Neang graduated last month from the BGInS program and is already exploring ways to deepen her impact.

Hear from Lilly about her connection to this topic, her past research and involvement with World University Service of Canada (WUSC) 杏吧原创, and what she plans to do next.

“When we talk about Canada as a cultural mosaic, I like to think of Canada a cultural potluck.”

Neang reflecting on her research on food and newcomer resettlement.

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BGInS would like to congratulate Professor Sandra Fahy on receiving the FPA Research Initiation Grant this spring. The FPA Research Initiation Grant provides up to $3,000 in research funding and research feedback to professors in the Faculty of Public Affairs. Professor Fahy’s Project is called “States, Lies and Video.”

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This year the BGInS Student Society presented the Outstanding BGInS Human Awards to individuals at BGInS who support the academic success of BGInS students and play a fundamental role in improving the student life. After receiving nominations from students and other BGInS community members, there were two names that rose to the top of the list. Professor Sean Burges and Professor Ioanna Sahas Martin. They both exemplify a dedication to improving the BGInS community and have gone above and beyond in assisting BGInS students academically and professionally.

Sean Burges

Professor Burges’ research follows an inductive and interdisciplinary approach to questions of development, international political economy, foreign policy, and comparative politics. While many of his publications fit best in the categories of Brazilian foreign policy and inter-American affairs, his work addresses South-South relations, international development policy, regional integration, democratization, international political economy, and comparative policy formulation. He is particularly interested in how developing country governments and actors attempt to mobilize and deploy to achieve domestic development goals. His ongoing work is built around an examination of the business-government relations behind Brazil鈥檚 turn to Africa during the presidency of Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva. This in turn is opening angles of research on foreign policy decision-making processes, corruption, and democratic consolidation as well as the reformulation of Southern-based attitudes to and interactions with the global system.

Prior to starting his position with BGInS, he was a Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the Australian National University, where he was also the convener of undergraduate international relations studies as well as deputy director of the Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies. He has previously served in the Government of Canada in both the Canadian International Development Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency as well as the Cadieux-Leger Fellowship with the Government of Canada鈥檚 Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Outside of the academy he continues to engage in the consultancy projects that inform his approach to teaching as well as an active program of media engagement and academic outreach to bridge the practice-academic divide.

Ioanna Sahas Martin

Ioanna has over 25 years鈥� experience in international affairs, including as an executive at Global Affairs Canada and at the Canadian International Development Agency. She also served as a Senior Policy Analyst with the former Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Before joining government in 2001, Ioanna gained policy research experience at the Institute On Governance and the International Development Research Centre. Earlier roles included Membership Relations Manager at the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, and Editor with Oxford University Press Hong Kong.

Ioanna has a keen interest in international development, corporate social responsibility, inclusive governance and gender equality. She brings practical expertise in international policy and programming; knowledge of Canada鈥檚 bilateral, multilateral and regional engagement; linkages with civil society and knowledge sharing networks in Canada and abroad; and human resources and financial management know-how. Ioanna serves as a volunteer in the Ottawa community, and enjoys creative writing. Publishing credits include articles on travel and international development, poetry in  and Event Poetry and Prose, an honourable mention in the  short story contest and a shortlisted story in the .

Ioanna is an alumna of 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (M.A., Development Studies, 1995) and of the University of Waterloo (Joint Honours B.A., French and Political Science, 1993). She is currently on leave from the Government of Canada.

Congratulations to you both for being named a 2023-2024 Outstanding BGInS Human. We cannot express to you how much we appreciate your commitment to the program as well as empowering student life and academic success here at BGInS. Thank you!

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Congratulations to Terra Clark from BGInS for being awarded with the 杏吧原创 University Research Opportunity (CUROP) grant this year! CUROP is a prestigious undergraduate research internship. Under supervision of a faculty member, each student participant designed their own research project and complete it over the summer. Terra’s work was supervised by Associate Professor Sandra Fahy of the BGInS Program.

Terra Clark is currently pursuing their second year in BGINS with a specialization in Global Genders and Sexualities. As a recipient of the CUROP grant, they’re delving into research on Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. With prior experience at the national level in gender-based rights and internationally with humanitarian charities, Terra aspires to explore the intersections between these two worlds. They are incredibly excited for this opportunity to learn and examine these connections.

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Each year the Provost Scholar Award honours exceptional undergraduate students who exemplify student engagement. Students are nominated by a faculty member or instructor with the support of their Dean. This year, one winner come from BGInS – Karenna Chen!

Karenna Chen
Karenna Chen is an exceptional Global and International Studies student who is focused on the sociocultural significance of public murals in Ottawa鈥檚 Chinatown. She has devoted her time to researching a variety of fields and has been contributing to the Ethnography Lab鈥檚 project to document and analyze 杏吧原创’s tunnel murals. Karenna has also been the Outreach Lead for Climate Action 杏吧原创, coordinating with allied groups at 杏吧原创 and nationally. In addition, she was the Community Chair and Vice-President of Rotaract Club of Ottawa South.

Congratulations Karenna! We are so proud of your impressive accomplishments and dedication!

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We at BGInS would like to give a special congratulations to our Professor James Casteel who won a Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award (FGMA) at a ceremony held on March 18, 2024.

Graduate students sent in nomination letters to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (FGPA) supporting their favourite supervisor and mentioning the impact they have made. This award is in recognition of faculty who provide exceptional service to graduate students as supervisors and research mentors.

Sponsored by FGPA and the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International), these awards reflect the impact excellent mentoring can have on graduate students.

James Casteel, Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary European History and the founding program director of the Master鈥檚 and Graduate Diploma programs in Migration and Diaspora Studies

• 鈥淚 saw firsthand how Dr. Casteel engaged with students with respect, allowing their experiences to guide courses, and ensuring that students felt secure and safe to share knowledge on their own terms. Prior to taking his courses, I never had a professor who had invested himself in not just the academic success of their students, but their personal growth. This all occurred online, which cannot be emphasized enough.鈥�
• 鈥淗is mentorship culminated in both my thesis winning a Senate Medal for Academic Achievement, as well as helping me see a future beyond the classroom. Leaders and mentors like Dr. Casteel do not just become professors to pursue their own research. They invest themselves in the aspirations and goals of future generations.鈥�
• 鈥淧rofessor Casteel has been an exceptional mentor to me. He is the reason that I chose to pursue my PhD at 杏吧原创 and if it were not for him, I would not be continuing with my PhD. Whenever I faced some sort of academic rejection, Prof. Casteel would help me see it as something I could learn and grow from as opposed to a reflection of my abilities. His support and encouragement of my research has been instrumental in helping me continue to stay motivated.鈥�

Congratulations Professor Casteel on your notable impact, and your much deserved award!

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In celebration of International Women’s Day, BGInS wants to shine a light on the the remarkable achievements and contributions of women within our community.

One of these amazing women is Rebekah Dagenais, a dedicated student within the Bachelor of Global and International Studies Program at 杏吧原创 University. Currently in her fourth year, Rebekah specializes in Global Inequalities and Social Change. Throughout her academic journey, she has demonstrated a commitment to advocating for the marginalized and oppressed.

This semester, Rebekah had the opportunity to participate in a practicum placement with the non-profit organization, Street Smarts. Here, she engaged in invaluable outreach efforts and contributed to resource development initiatives. Through this hands-on experience, she actively engaged with individuals within the Ottawa community, particularly those facing the harsh realities of homelessness and grappling with issues of addiction, mental health, and more.

Notably, Rebekah showed courage and compassion in her work, having directly intervened to save a life through the administration of a Naloxone treatment to prevent an opioid overdose. Her actions underscore the critical role that women play in crisis intervention and community support. Balancing her academic pursuits with meaningful community engagement, Rebekah has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration for us all.

Happy International Women’s Day!

 

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After the , most women and girls were suspended from pursuing higher education, a ban that was enforced while students across the country were trying to take their final exams.

One of those women was Madina Mashkoori, now a second-year Bachelor of Global and International Studies (BGInS) honours student at 杏吧原创 University. .

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鈥淟atiff for threeeeee!鈥�

That鈥檚 the call each time basketball star Wazir Latiff sinks one of his signature three-pointers in the Ravens Nest gymnasium. And he sank a lot of three-pointers, along with two-point field goals, and the occasional dunk鈥搇egs dangling from the hoop.

The 6-foot-2 Bachelor of Global and International Studies (BGInS) student from Vaughn, Ontario was a clutch player on the men鈥檚 basketball national championship team this year, with 249 points for the season. He brought not only immense skills, but a sense of energy and joy every time he stepped on the court. Read full story

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