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Hezel Ulona has received ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University’s 2026 EDI Research Award, which supports student-led research that advances equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The award recognizes projects that thoughtfully explore issues of diversity and identity through research, community engagement, and social impact. Established as part of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s commitment to fostering a more inclusive campus community, the award highlights innovative student research that contributes to meaningful change.

Hezel’s project, Reimagining Canadian Multiculturalism, examines how well the Canadian Multiculturalism Act reflects the country’s contemporary racial, cultural and religious diversity.

As a first‑generation Nigerian immigrant, Hezel’s research is shaped by personal experiences of identity, belonging and recognition within Canada’s multicultural landscape. Through the Student EDI Research Award, she is exploring whether Canada’s multiculturalism framework continues to support inclusion as intended, using GBA+ and intersectional analysis to assess how the Act has been interpreted and implemented since 1988.

Proud of you, Hezel!