Media advisory: Former prisoner of conscience Professor Homa Hoodfar speaks to the implications of closing borders on scholarship and democracy, along with other notable academics at Ryerson University on May 30

A 2017 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences public event features a moderated discussion on the implications of closing borders for scholarship, teaching and democracy.

EVENT: Open borders, open minds: Academia in an age of growing isolationism

DATE: Tuesday, May 30, 2017

TIME: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

LOCATION: IMA-Image Arts 307 – Lecture and Screening Room

                    School of Image Arts

                    Ryerson University

                    122 Bond St, Toronto, ON

This conversation will focus on the impact of restrictions on the free movement of people and ideas across borders, the targeting of Muslim and other minority populations, and the role of academics in the humanities and social sciences in helping us understand and take on these challenges.

Featured speakers include Concordia Anthropology Professor Homa Hoodfar, who was detained in Tehran's infamous Evin prison for over 100 days last year, alongside

Mohamed Lachemi, President, Ryerson University (introductory remarks)

Bessma Momani, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance, University of Waterloo

Anver Saloojee, assistant vice-president, International, Ryerson University

Stephen Toope, President, Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences (closing remarks) 

This event is free, and is open to the public and the media.

–30–

About the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences

Organized by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, Congress is the largest interdisciplinary conference in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Now in its 86^th year, Congress brings together over 70 academic associations that represent a rich spectrum of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including literature, history, theatre, film studies, education, music, sociology, geography, social work and many others. Congress 2017 is hosted by Ryerson University. For more information, visit www.congress2017.ca.

About the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

The Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences promotes research and teaching for the advancement of an inclusive, democratic and prosperous society. With a membership now comprising over 160 universities, colleges and scholarly associations, the Federation represents a diverse community of 91,000 researchers and graduate students across Canada. The Federation organizes Canada’s largest academic gathering, the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together more than 8,000 participants each year. For more information about the Federation, visit www.ideas-idees.ca.

Media contact and interview requests:

Nicola Katz

Communications Manager

Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Cell: 613-282-3489

nkatz@ideas-idees.ca