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Tune in to FIFSW’s YouTube channel — and others — to catch up on Fall 2020 public lectures and workshops

Nine events and two podcasts you may have missed this fall.

Subscribe to the Factor-Inwentash Facutly of Social Work’s YouTube page, sign up for our newsletter, and follow FIFSW on social media (Twitter @UofT_FIFSW, Instagram @UofTFIFSW, Facebook @UofTFIFSW) to stay informed of upcoming events!


1. Becoming Body Aware: A Guide to Understanding the Brain-Body Relationship, Improving Health, and Building Connection

Yoga Teacher and EMDR therapist Jennifer Shields shares practical body-based tools to work with dysregulation of the nervous system. Viewers learn about the relationship between the brain, mind, body, and behavior as well as practical applications of body awareness to boost wellbeing.


2. The Impact of COVID-19 on Social Work

Social Work professionals Abby Katz Starr, Debbie Schatia and Theo Adjei share their experiences delivering services in the midst of a global pandemic. Moderated by Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson.


3. Leading Social Change: Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship in Social Work

Associate Professor Micheal Shier presented the first public lecture in FIFSW’s 2020-2021 Alumni event series. Shier’s lecture, Leading Social Change: Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship in Social Work, addressed how social workers can not only advocate for change, but lead it.


4. Setting Leaders Apart: The Big 8 Capabilities

On September 9, Rose M. Patten, Chancellor of the University of Toronto presented the lecture, Setting Leaders Apart: The Big 8 Capabilities, to incoming Master of Social Work students. Patten is a renowned leader, well known from her 30-year career as a senior leader in the Canadian financial services industry. In 2009, U of T awarded Patten a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, degree for her leadership as a role model for women executives in Canadian banking, for her community volunteerism and for her service to the University.


5. 30@830, presented by The CRIB

Associate Professor Tanya Sharpe, director of The CRIB (The Centre for Research and Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims), brought together leading scholars, community leaders and social work professionals for 30-minute talks on Instagram Live to explore the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations. Many of these discussions are now available on The CRIB’s YouTube channel.

Below is Sharpe’s conversation on empowering Black youth with Kendra Van de Water.


6. Racism at the Front Lines

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream Keith Adamson presented a public lecture as part of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) 2020 Education Forums on what social workers and social service workers can do to address racism.


7. Mobilizing an Anti-Violence Movement in a Pandemic

Professor Ramona Alaggia gave a keynote address on gender equality, gender equity and gender-based violence at OCSWSSW’s 2020 Annual Meeting.


8. National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities

More than 3,000 members of the higher education community – and close to 60 partner institutions across Canada – came together for the first of the National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. During the two days of conversation, participants, including FIFSW Dean Dexter Voisin, delivered the message that the time to act on anti-Black racism and to promote Black inclusion is now. The full playlist of seven videos is available on the University of Toronto Scarborough’s YouTube channel. Below is the first talk in the series.


9. Queer & Thriving panel

Shelley Craig, project director of INQYR, (International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience) participated in a panel presented by Hopelab, CenterLink, and Headstream with leading experts in LGBTQ+ teen and young adult mental health.


Bonus podcasts!

1. Ellen Katz shared her experience teaching students about experiential and embodied learning and meditation practices on The Circled Square podcast.

2. Carmen Logie’s podcast Everybody Hates Me: Let’s Talk About Stigma features a new interview each week. Guests from FIFSW have included Kyle Ganson, Dexter Voisin, Ramona Alaggia, Notisha Massaquoi and Charmaine Williams.