Beyond the Lecture Hall

CAFA (Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations)

What on earth is going on in Alberta's post-secondary education sector? Get the inside scoop right here: CAFA's "Beyond the Lecture Hall" podcast features thought-provoking conversations with guests whose insights into current issues and future possibilities in higher education promise to inspire, enlighten, and maybe even surprise you. Tune in!

Episodes

  1. Apr 16

    Episode 10: Alberta Separatism and PSE

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. This is followed by an interview with University of Calgary Professor, Lisa Young, about Alberta separatism and a spotlight on the Ontario Confederation of Ontario University Faculty Associations (OCUFA). Interview begins at 14:12 Spotlight begins at 41:24 To register for the Civil Society Summit, visit: https://afl.org/events/alberta-civil-society-summit/

    1h 4m

  2. Mar 8

    Episode 9: Tuition Fees and University Funding

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. This is followed by an interview on tuition fees and university funding with Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates, and a spotlight on CAFA communications. Interview begins at 13:27 Spotlight begins at 28:35

    57 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    Episode 8: The Notwithstanding Clause

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. This is followed by a panel discussion on the Alberta government's use of the Notwithstanding Clause in labour relations and their attacks on the trans community. Joining us is Professor Jennifer Koshan, Dr. Charles Smith, and Dr. Victoria Bucholtz. Panel discussion begins at 13:55

    55 min

  4. 11/24/2025

    Episode 7: Government Interference in PSE

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. This is followed by a panel discussion with members of OCUFA, ANSUT, and CAFA about provincial government interference in PSE. Panel discussion begins at 15:45

    1 hr

  5. 10/21/2025

    Episode 6: Alberta's Book Ban

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. Our feature interview is with Ira Wells about the Alberta book ban. In the Spotlight segment, Dan O'Donnell speaks with the Dalhousie Faculty Association about their recent lockout. Links: PEN Canada: https://pencanada.ca/ Centre for Free Expression: https://cfe.torontomu.ca/

    1h 1m

  6. 09/02/2025

    Episode 5: Bill 54 and Treaty Rights

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. Our feature interview is with Gabrielle Weasel Head about Alberta separatism and treaty rights. In the Spotlight segment, Dan O'Donnell speaks with the GMFA about workload creep.

    59 min

  7. 07/18/2025

    Episode 4: Nova Scotia's Bill 12 and Provincial Attacks on PSE

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. Our feature interview is with outgoing ANSUT President, Scott Stewart, and incoming CAUT President, Robin Whitaker, where we discuss Nova Scotia's Bill 12 and the broader national picture regarding provincial attacks on postsecondary education. In the Spotlight segment, Dan O'Donnell speaks with the ACIFA representatives about member issues at the college level.

    1h 2m

  8. 06/17/2025

    Episode 3: Alberta's Anti-Trans Legislation

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. Our feature interview is with Mount Royal University instructor and LGBTQIA+ activist, Victoria Bucholtz, who discusses the recent provincial anti-trans legislation. In the Spotlight segment, Dan O'Donnell speaks with the Athabasca University Faculty Association about organizing in an online institution.   Links: qcu.yycQueer MomentumTrans Action AlbertaSkipping StoneKarla Marx

    56 min

  9. 04/24/2025

    Episode 2: The Common Front and Solidarity Pact

    Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector.  On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. Our feature interview is with AFL President Gil McGowan, who discusses the Common Front and Solidarity Pact.  In the Spotlight segment, Dan O'Donnell speaks with MRFA President Brenda Lang and Advocacy Officer Brian Nichols about the association's advocacy work.  Useful links: CAFA Website - https://cafa-ab.ca/ To write to the University of Calgary's administration to demand they reverse the program suspensions in the Faculty of Arts: https://win.newmode.net/canadianassociationofuniversityteachers/stoptheprogramsuspensionsinthefacultyofartsattheuniversityofcalgary The Alberta Wage Disadvantage (report by Jim Stanford): https://afl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Alberta-Wage-Disadvantage-Report-January-28-2025.pdf The Common Front: https://afl.org/campaign/commonfront/

    58 min

  10. 03/07/2025

    Episode 1: The Mintz Report

    On this episode: Roundup of PSE Issues The Mintz Panel - Interview with Marc Schroeder, Mount Royal University Trusting Your Members - Spotlight on University of Lethbridge Faculty Association Useful links: CAFA Website - https://cafa-ab.ca/ Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-2030-building-skills-for-jobs  Clearing a Path: Helping Displaced Alberta Re-Enter the Workforce (Business Council on Alberta Issues) - https://businesscouncilab.com/topic/post-secondary/ Roadmap or Roadkill, a Critical Look at the Government’s Strategy for Post-Secondary Education in Alberta (Parkland Institute) - https://www.parklandinstitute.ca/roadmap_or_roadkill  Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness (The Mintz Panel) - https://www.alberta.ca/expert-panel-on-post-secondary-institution-funding-and-albertas-competitiveness

    42 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

What on earth is going on in Alberta's post-secondary education sector? Get the inside scoop right here: CAFA's "Beyond the Lecture Hall" podcast features thought-provoking conversations with guests whose insights into current issues and future possibilities in higher education promise to inspire, enlighten, and maybe even surprise you. Tune in!

Information

  • Creator
    CAFA (Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations)
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © CAFA (Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations)
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Lecture Hall