Are you passionate about social justice and wondering how you can integrate it with your STEM degree? Do you find it challenging to connect these two fields?
Join us for Working for Change: STEM and Social Justice Conference on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at U of T’s William Doo Auditorium, New College.
Engage with experts who have combined their passion for social justice with STEM. Our panelists have built or are building careers rooted in solidarity and justice and are using STEM to address real-world challenges such as
- Advocating for worker’s rights
- Promoting environmental sustainability
- Developing technology that serves the greater good
Don’t miss this free event to explore how your STEM degree can contribute to meaningful change – register today!
Meet the Panelists
Andrea Hemmerich
Faculties of Engineering at McMaster and Queen’s University
Austin Cole
Recent Graduate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Member of The Black Alliance for Peace
Kristen Bos
Assistant Professor of Indigenous STS in Historical Studies (UTM) and Women and Gender Studies Institute
Co-Director at the Technoscience Research Unit
Maya Trotz, Ph.D., BCEEM,
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida
Michael Classens
Assistant Professor in the School of the Environment at U of T
Priyank Chandra
Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Information at U of T
Director of the Sociotechnical Resistance and Ethical Technologies (STREET) Lab
Learn about the Event
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Welcome to the Working for Change Conference
Welcome to the conference and an introduction for the Community Engaged Learning program.
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Harvesting Community Power to Build Towards Food, Social and Environmental Justice
Panelists: Austin Cole, Kristen Bos and Michael Classens
Explore the intersections of community food systems, collectively owned renewable energy projects, and Indigenous led environmental sustainability efforts
Austin, Kristen and Michael are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions that not only advance their fields but also contribute to a more just and equitable world. During this session you’ll learn about their work, the challenges they’ve overcome and the decisions that have shaped their career paths. A Q&A will follow, providing an opportunity to engage with the panelists.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch
Lunch will be catered by Ali’s Roti (vegan and halal options will be available)
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
STEM for Social Change – Engineering in Service of the Environment, Grassroots Resistance and the Common Good
Panelists: Andrea Hemmerich, Maya Trotz and Priank Chandra
Learn how engineering can be a powerful tool for driving positive social and environmental impact in this thought-provoking discussion
Our panel of Biomedical, Environmental and Computer Engineering experts will share how they are using their skills to address pressing environmental challenges, support grassroots resistance movements, and promote the common good. A Q&A will follow, providing the opportunity to engage with the panelists.
3:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Event Details:
Working for Change 2025 Conference: STEM and Social Justice
Friday, February 28, 2025
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM ET
William Doo Auditorium, New College, University of Toronto – 45 Willcocks Street, Toronto
Lunch will be catered and there will be raffle prizes to be won!
Register today!
Thank you for your interest – registration is now closed.
Have questions about the upcoming event – reach out to: nc.progsupport@utoronto.ca
If you missed this event, don’t worry, check out New College’s Event page for all our upcoming events.
Working for Change Conferences are organized by the Community Engaged Learning (CEL) program at New College, U of T.
Learn more about placement opportunities today!
If you have any questions, please reach out to nc.progsupport@utoronto.ca
Community Engaged Learning would like to thank New College and Centre for Community Partnerships for co-sponsoring this event.
