Sex ed curriculum revamp and research on street harassment and Islamophobia among highlights of Congress 2018

REGINA, May 29, 2018 - Researchers from King’s University College at Western University consider what it’s like to grow up Muslim in Canada in the face of surging bigotry, others look gender inclusivity in locker rooms, all as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Canada’s largest academic gathering, Congress brings over 5,000 of the country’s brightest researchers, thinkers, and policy-makers to the University of Regina this week.

Unique to Canada and often called the “Academic Olympics,” Congress is great fodder for journalists looking for fresh research stories in the humanities and social sciences.

Highlights in research about equity and diversity include:

Right to the City: An Exploration of the Gendered Impacts of Street Harassment Often dismissed as trivial, street harassment is a form of gender‐based violence that impacts thousands of Canadian women everyday, and ranges in severity from catcalls and whistles to stalking and assault. This research indicates that women who experienced SH reported being more fearful of gender‐based violence in public, including rape and sexual assault. May 29 in Laboratory LB 235 at 1:00 pm.

Gender Transgressors: An Intersectional Analysis of the Change Room: Across North America accommodating transgender individuals in change rooms is frequently a site of controversy. This research proposes that to make change rooms inclusive for all what is needed are methods for widening the parameters of gender, rather than architectural accommodations. May 29 in Laboratory LB 206 at 8:30 am.

Growing Up Muslim: The Impact of Islamophobia on Children in a Canadian Community: Based on interviews with elementary age students, this research presentation shows how they regularly experience discrimination and overt hostility because of their religion, and discusses what changes are needed. May 29 in Language Institute - LI115 at 3:30 pm.

Touchy Subject: Understanding the Controversy over Sexuality Education in Ontario: While the new sex education curriculum introduced in 2015 was welcomed by a majority of teachers and parents, vocal opposition to the government’s initiative stoked heated public debate. The leader of Ontario's PCs, Doug Ford, is campaigning on a promise to repeal sex education. This research clarifies the aims of the curriculum and the values of both its proponents and opponents. A deeper understanding of stakeholders’ concerns will facilitate more productive public discourse. May 30 in Riddell Centre - RC 128.1 at 9:45 am.

Congress is an annual gathering of more than 65 scholarly associations, each holding their annual conference under one umbrella. This year’s theme is “Gathering Diversities”, reflecting the history of Regina as a traditional place of gathering and rich buffalo hunting grounds for Plains cultures.

Congress is open to the public. More information about the Federation and Congress 2018 is available online through their website, Twitter and Facebook.

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For interview requests

Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Nicola Katz

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nkatz@ideas-idees.ca

Cell: 613-282-3489

 

University of Regina

Dale Johnson

Communications Strategist

dale.johnson@uregina.ca

Cell: 306-531-5995

 

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 87th year, Congress brings together 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 2018 is hosted by the University of Regina. For more information, visit www.congress2018.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 annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. For more information about the Federation, visit www.ideas-idees.ca.

About the University of Regina

The University of Regina is constantly pushing the bounds of knowledge and pioneering new ways of thinking about the world. It’s no surprise that the University is ranked in the Top 200 by Times Higher Education in the Best Young Universities category. At the heart of its success is the institution’s commitment to growing diversity. Since 2009, it has increased its international student population by 122 percent and its Indigenous student population by 84 percent. The University of Regina is home to the country’s highest percentage of graduate students from outside Canada, and has received the top ranking in Canada for its number of international research collaborations. For more information about the University of Regina, visit www.uregina.ca.