Racial formation shapes space, give meaning to place and condition the experience of embodied subjects “emplaced” in and moving through material worlds. Therefore, it is imperative to continuously work together to reassess the embedded systematic and oppressive structures within academia. To bring forth change that will provide ongoing support to Black, Indigenous, and racialized students and professors. 

In the quest to celebrate Black History Month, Karine Coen-Sanchez, a Ph.D. student in the faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa has organized an interactive panel discussion with professors, experts, and scholars that highlight a discussion around centering Blackness in Research and Community Engagement. By continuing the conversation, we will have the opportunity for a global understanding of the various layers of the existing barriers in education. Fundamentally, giving rise to different narratives for both institutional administrators and policy influencers.