Echoes from the Margins: Voices Reshaping Higher Education

Preetama Badyal & Oana Birceanu
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Echoes from the Margins: Voices Reshaping Higher Education is a podcast developed by, and for, educators and learners looking to incorporate principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility (EDIDA) into their classroom, lab, and professional spaces. As we respond to an ever-changing postsecondary landscape, it is crucial that learners and educators alike feel represented and supported on and beyond campus. This podcast serves as a Community of Practice to amplify current initiatives promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion within education. Tune in to each episode to learn more about educators, researchers, students, and leaders who have reshaped curriculum development and student support. Beyond impact, you'll get a chance to hear thoughtful and honest conversations about teaching, learning, and navigating academic life. Co-hosted by Dr. Oana Birceanu, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and Preetama Badyal, a MSc graduate from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Supported by Schulich Educational Media Technology Services (ETMS). Funding for the podcast has been provided by Western University BrainsCAN and it is part of a project titled "Rethinking Representation: Tools to Address Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDI-D) Barriers in Undergraduate and Graduate Education".

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Giving CR(EDI)T to the Graduate Student Experience: A Student-Led Initiative at Schulich

    Giving CR(EDI)T to the Graduate Student Experience: A Student-Led Initiative at Schulich    In this episode, we sit down with members of the Council on Reforming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Trainees (also known as CREDIT) to talk about meaningful EDIDA change within graduate education.     Since its establishment at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2021, CREDIT has created a space for all trainees to exchange ideas, partake in unified change, and partake in a community of support. Some of their notable initiatives include seeking student input through census surveys, organizing EDIDA-focused workshops at local conferences such as London Health Research Day, and bridging connections between faculty and students through their ac[CREDIT]ed mentorship program.     We speak with six passionate and wonderful members – Victoria (Tori), Omar, Violet, Sasha, Jordyn, and Garth – who shape our understanding of current student-led initiatives, and how we can (and should) use the student voice to shape more inclusive academic and professional spaces. The "how-to" is less daunting than you might think.     Staying Connected and Involved: If you would like to get involved with CREDIT - as a mentor or mentee, an attendee of their workshops, or just to learn more about their work/get put on their email list, please reach out to the current co-chairs (at the time of episode release), Garth Blackler (gblackle@uwo.ca) or Victoria Warner (vwarner3@uwo.ca). For additional updates, please see their website (linked below as well).    Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc        TImestamps (HH:MM:SS)  00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast  00:00:54 - Land Acknowledgement  00:04:31 - Guest Introduction   00:06:02 - Welcome CREDIT (Team Introductions - Victoria/Tori, Omar, Violet, Sasha, Jordyn, Garth)!   00:07:35 - What is CREDIT? And Team Roles   00:10:57 - How Does CREDIT Work with EDIDA Principles?  00:13:09 - Importance (and Realities) of Student Voice and Engagement   00:15:59 - The Students' Paths to CREDIT  00:21:07 - Relationship Building with Faculty, Staff, Community (and Getting Involved)   00:30:00 - CREDIT Initiatives and Projects   00:30:33 - EDI Census Survey   00:38:33 - London Health Research Day Workshop   00:42:16 - Uniting Departments Across Schulich in EDI-D Work    00:47:14 - E-Learning Series and Educational Modules   00:49:16 - Inclusive Recruitment and Maintaining of Trainees (a[CREDIT]ed Mentorship Program)  00:57:46 - Measurable Impact: How to Assess Change?   01:07:05 - Barriers to EDIDA, the Trainee Perspective  01:19:43 - If You Had a Magic Wand...  01:31:17 - To Learn More...Check These Out   01:41:08 - Our Reflections  01:55:24 – Outro     Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading and Engagement)    00:00:54 - Land Acknowledgement   First Nations in Ontario Map  The Delaware Nation Website   Neutral Nation     00:04:31 - CREDIT Website (for a summary of current projects)  Here, you'll be able to view the previous Action Plan (2021-2022), including previous survey results, and a full list of their initiatives. This is also where the most recent survey and Action Plan will be published.     00:22:02 - Thank you to Dr. Tom Drysdale (previous Faculty Advisor)     00:22:15 - Thank you to Dr. Sukhi Bains (Acting Associate Dean, Schulich EDI-D Office) and Seidy Rayo (Coordinator, Schulich EDI-D Office)     00:22:49 - Thank you to Dr. Alex Levine (EDID in Research Specialist)     00:22:49 - Thank you to Dr. Olivia Ghosh-Swaby (EDI-D Advocate, and a Founding Leader of CREDIT)     00:23:17 - Schulich Departmental EDI-D Committees (check them out here)    00:27:55 - Graduate school can be challenging, and Western has additional resources to support you and your students. Please check them out here.  Accessible Education – Graduate Students    00:30:33 - EDI Census Survey (Previous Survey Results, and Action Plan, Stay Tuned for an Updated Version!)    00:32:17 - Office of Indigenous Initiatives    00:35:22 - Anti-Racism Foundations Certificate Program (one of many EDI workshops Western provides). For department-specific implementation, connect and collaborate with the Schulich EDI-D Office.     00:38:33 - London Health Research Day (LHRD) Workshop (the 2026 event program)   CR(EDI)T Presents: Empowering Equity Deserving Members in Academia   You can sign up for the workshops as a guest – alumni, community partners, and anyone interested can take part! Sign up here.   Missed LHRD 2026? Don't worry, CREDIT will be back in future years with even more amazing workshops!    00:47:14 - E-Learning Series and Educational Modules  Includes the mandatory EDIDA learning module that all Schulich graduate, post-doctoral, and faculty members complete. Access it through OWL Brightspace under the module "Introduction to Biomedical Sciences"    Alternatively, sign up through this site.     00:49:16 - a[CREDIT]ed Mentorship Program (Mentee Sign Up and Mentor Sign Up)   You can also contact the CREDIT Co-Chairs (Garth Blackler gblackle@uwo.ca or Victoria Warner vwarner3@uwo.ca) for more information or to sign up.   Rolling Application Cycle!     00:51:50 - Western's Grad Club     00:56:31 - Thank you to Dr. Lynn Weir (Research Coordinator)     01:09:29 - Western EDI-D Office    Additional: Multifaith (Prayer and Meditation Room): Kresge Building K7    Audio Recording and Production   This episode was recorded on Riverside.fm, hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS).   Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu    Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion.     Intro and Outro Music  Sourced from Pixabay, "Enhance" by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.  ontar

    1h 56m

  2. May 6

    Navigating Accessibility with Emily Branov: From Classroom to Campus, and Beyond Compliance

    Released in 2022, the Final Recommendations Report for Proposed Postsecondary Education Standards discusses eight barrier areas to address to ensure publicly funded postsecondary education is more accessible to people with disabilities.     In this episode, we sit down with Emily Branov, Student Experience Project Manager (Accessibility) at Western University, to unpack what these recommendations mean in practice, and why institutions shouldn't wait for legislation to act. Emily's work explores the shift from compliance-driven accessibility to proactive, systemic inclusion both within and outside of the classroom.     What does it look like to move beyond individual accommodations and toward inclusive design from the outset? How can faculty embed accessibility into classrooms, labs, and professional programs? And how do we create structures that outlast student turnover and evolving institutional priorities? Tune in to learn more from Emily and get excited with us on what's to come from her and her team.      Thank you to Sahiba Badyal (HBA/JD '25), who participated in the ending reflection for this episode, providing her experiences as a previous member on a past iteration of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. We appreciate your voice and lived experiences that you brought to this conversation.     Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc    Keywords: Higher Education; Accessibility; AODA; Universal Design; Disability Inclusion; Student Experience; Inclusive Education; Altitudinal Barriers; EDI-D; EDIDA     TImestamps (HH:MM:SS)  00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast  00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement  00:04:46 - Guest Introduction   00:06:16 - Welcome Emily Branov!   00:07:54 - What are the Post-Secondary Recommendations from AODA?   00:09:17 - Emily's Path to Higher Education   00:12:31 - Implementing Recommendations at Western University  00:16:53 - Achieving Sustained Change  00:19:33 - From Recommendation to Instructors: How?   00:23:47 - Accommodations for Differing Disabilities and Needs   00:27:43 - Accessibility Across Different Levels of Education (Undergrad versus Graduate)  00:31:13 - Supporting Students in the Classroom   00:36:13 - Projects from Emily's Portfolio (to look forward to!)   00:42:38 - Addressing Altitudinal Barriers   00:48:18 - Faculty Involvement   00:51:45 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s)   00:53:33 - If You Had a Magic Wand...  00:55:28 - To Learn More...Check These Out   00:56:51 - Our Reflections   01:01:41 - Mini Reflection from Sahiba Badyal (Past Member of Student Accessibility Advisory Committee)   01:09:13 - Our Reflections (cont.)   01:12:07 - Outro    Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading and Engagement)  Beyond the resources below, there is so much to look forward to from Emily and her team. The following projects and initiatives are planned for implementation across 2026 and 2027, so stay engaged and excited!    If you'd like to connect with Emily and her team, please email vps-office@groups.uwo.ca.      Look forward to the Instructor Accessibility Toolkit in conjunction with the Center for Teaching and Learning, Western Technology Services, and Western Libraries (among other partners). And:   Event Planning Guide   Accessible Wayfinding Project   Digital Accessibility Plan   Collecting and Dispersing Data on Accessibility at Western  Inclusion Strategies in Campus Life for Students (USC, undergraduate and SOGS, graduate)  Accessibility Accommodation Policy and Trainings    00:00:53 – Land Acknowledgement   Deshkaan Ziibing Anishinaabeg, also known as Chippewas of the Thames First Nation    00:05:41 - Emily's Feature During EDIDA Awareness Month (2025)     00:05:53 - EDIDA Awareness Month (2025 Itinerary, hosted by the Western EDI Office)     00:06:35 - Western Student Experience Office      00:06:42 - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)     00:06:51 - 2022 Ministry Report - 185 Recommendations for Accessibility in Post-Secondary Education (PSE Recommendations Report)    00:10:07 - Work Integrated Learning Space    00:10:36 - Accessible Employment Forum Event, supported by Employer Relations Team (past event)     00:10:42 - Canada's Chief Accessibility Officer - Stephanie Cadieux     00:11:06 - Peer Team - University of Toronto's Accessibility Services (handbook Emily helped make for the team!)     00:13:45 - Director of Student Experience and Vice Provost (Students) (at time of recording), Stephanie Hayne Beatty and John Doerksen     00:14:28 - Accessible Western Working Group (AWWG)   This group is composed of senior representatives and accessibility leaders from key stakeholder units across campus whose areas intersect with accessibility implementation. This includes leadership from Student Experience, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Teaching and Learning, Information Technology Services, Equity, and other operational and academic portfolios. The group reports to the Vice-Provost (Students), Vice-President EDI, and the Provost, and collectively reviews and prioritizes recommendations emerging from the Postsecondary Education Standards Final Recommendations.     00:15:50 - Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)   In our Western University context, this is a cross-functional advisory body that provides strategic guidance on advancing accessibility across the university. Its mandate is to support the proactive identification, removal, and prevention of barriers affecting students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The Committee currently has representation from across Staff, Faculty and Student Groups.    00:17:59 - University Students' Council (USC)     00:17:59 - Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)     00:29:52 - Accessible Education     00:33:24 - Center for Teaching and Learning Accessibility Resource     00:37:58 - UWO Brightspace Help (focused on Accessibility features, but the site has more to explore)     00:38:57 - Central Accessibility Domain (current website, at time of publishing - but look forward to an update!)     00:48:47 - Want to be involved? Reach out to Emily and her team: vps-office@groups.uwo.ca     00:49:18 - Schulich Continuing Professional Development (CPD)   CPD EDI-D Workshop Series (2026 Iteration)   Email: cpd@schulich.uwo.ca (Contact Page)    00:57:48 - Science or BMSc Academic Advising Help Portal (Care Zone)    01:02:02 - Student Accessibility Advisory Committee (previous group, see Accessibility Advisory Committee – mentioned above – for more current work)     01:03:24 - Accessible Education Study Rooms + Accessible Learning Lab, located on Weldon's ground floor near printing services.     01:11:06 - Supporting Faculty and Staff with Disabilities (at Western)  While we recognize this did not come up in our conversation, we hope to include these lived experiences in future discussions, both on and off the podcast! We are thankful to Emily and her team for including these voices within the Working Group and Advisory Committee they support.     01:11:26 - Accessible Campus Website by Ontario's Universities    Audio Recording and Production   This episode was recorded on Riverside.fm, hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS).   Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu    Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion.     Intro and Outro Music  Sourced from Pixabay, "Enhance" by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.

    1h 13m

  3. Apr 8

    Diversifying the Classroom: Intercultural and Decolonial Teaching with Aisha Haque

    Diversity is crucial in higher education. Bringing together various lived experiences, perspectives, and knowledge is how we evolve our understanding of the world around us and create initiatives that support a wide variety of folks on campus. However, this is a big concept, and it can be difficult to grapple with at times. Where do we even start when it comes to bridging understanding across cultures? How do we support students, specifically international students, in this journey of unpacking the "hidden" curriculum?     In this episode, we sit with Aisha Haque, Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Western University, for a powerful and deeply reflective conversation about belonging, unlearning, and what it truly means to transform education. We dive into the heart of intercultural and decolonial teaching and what it looks like to move beyond simply delivering content toward building meaningful relationships in the classroom. Aisha highlights some key resources for educators both within and outside of the CTL, including her Intercultural Teaching Competence Framework, Learnings on Generative AI, and so much more.     If you're an educator, student, or simply someone curious about how higher education can better reflect the diverse communities it serves, this episode invites you to reflect alongside us. We hope it encourages you to start somewhere, small, intentional, and in community, as we continue the ongoing journey of learning, unlearning, and reshaping our classrooms for belonging and equity.    Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc    Keywords: Higher Education; Intercultural Teaching; Belonging; Curriculum Design; Student Engagement; EDI-D; EDIDA; Center for Teaching and Learning; Decolonization     TImestamps (HH:MM:SS)  00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast  00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement  00:05:16 - Guest Introduction   00:06:32 - Welcome Aisha Haque!   00:06:53 - Aisha's Path to Higher Education   00:12:52 - What is the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL)? What do they do?   00:17:47 - Collaborating with Different Faculties and Departments   00:20:28 - Collaborating with Campus Partners (e.g., Western Libraries)   00:22:27 - The Intercultural Teaching Landscape  00:24:24 - How To: Incorporating Intercultural Teaching Frameworks   00:29:38 - Decolonizing and Unlearning   00:34:27 - How Does Change Happen?   00:37:44 - Pressures and Expectations as Learners and Educators (and more unlearning)   00:41:19 - Supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)  00:43:50 - Student Engagement, Expectations, and Feedback   00:49:39 - Decolonial and Anti-Racist Approaches in Curriculum   00:57:39 - Planning and Implementing Curriculum Change Research   01:00:32 - Supporting International Graduate Students    01:07:09 - Measuring Impact of Intercultural, Anti-Racist, and Decolonial Practices   01:08:43 - Reflecting Change in IQAP (Institutional Quality Assurance Practices)  01:11:49 - Where is the CTL Headed?   01:13:43 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s)   01:18:44 - If You Had a Magic Wand...  01:20:49 - Staying Connected with the CTL, and Exciting Projects!   01:22:17 - Our Reflections   01:29:35 - Outro    Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading/Exploration)   00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement  More Than Words: Treaties & Wampums (from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, created by Sara Mai Chitty):  Knowing and Respecting the Land You Are On at Western, Written by: Shaowda Salehin in 2021, 4th Year Honours Double Major in English and Biology  00:05:16 - Aisha Haque's Biography and Scholarly Work    00:12:52 - Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)    00:14:08 - Conversations on Generative AI, CTL Resources   Includes: Values-Driven Conversations About GenAI (mentioned later in the episode)   Includes: Self-Paced Module for GenAI (mentioned later in the episode)   GenAI Conference in June (mentioned later in the episode)    00:14:16 - The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)     00:14:48 - The Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP)     00:15:50 - Educational Leadership; Teaching Fellows at the CTL  Shoutout to Sarah MacLean, Nicole Campbell, Charys Martin, and Candace Brunette-Debassige for their work on their projects!     00:16:21 - The 3M National Teaching Award   Dr. Nicole Campbell, 2024 3M Teaching Fellow     00:18:57 - Nursing Program Decolonization Initiative (National Webinars)   Additional Reading: Integrating Diverse Ways of Knowing and Challenging Injustice: An Example of Emancipatory Curricula in Canadian Nursing Education     00:21:10 - Western Libraries (and partnership with CTL, Heather Campbell)     00:21:48 - Western Technology Services (WTS)   Instructional Technology Resource Centre (ITRC)     00:23:23 - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility Strategic Plan     00:23:44 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Indigenizing Higher Education   Education for Reconcilication    00:24:27 - Intercultural Learning, and Aisha's Intercultural Teaching Competence Framework     00:33:45 - The late Murray Sinclair, former Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission     00:41:37 - Aisha's Work in Supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants     00:50:10 - Reflection Questions for Decolonizing the Curriculum (Handout)     00:51:02 - Students as Partners Projects    00:52:32 - #WhyisMyCurriculumWhite Movement  Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axarJ4TJ-1M   Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dscx4h2l-Pk      00:55:02 - Ravensong by Lee Maracle  Additional Reading (News Article)     00:56:52 - Dr. Charys Martin + Eponyms  Inclusive Anatomy     00:57:14 - Dr. Anita Woods, Diverse Representation in Medicine (Physiology Diversified)    00:57:55 - The Hidden Curriculum (Resource Website)  About The Hidden Curriculum    00:59:20 - Indigenizing the Curriculum Across Canada (interviews/focus groups)   Additional Resource    01:01:38 - Academic Transitions of International Graduate Students on Campus     01:06:06 - Participation as a Barrier for International Students in the Classroom (one example of current evidence)     01:09:04 - IQAP Resource, EDIDA Questions for Self-Study Template    01:12:28 - Inclusive Teaching Community of Practice     01:13:16 - Values-Driven Conversations About GenAI     01:21:05 - Staying Connected: ctl@uwo.ca   Stay tuned for a Teaching and Learning Action Plan    01:21:45 - GenAI Conference in June 2026    01:22:43 - Self-Paced Module for GenAI      Audio Recording and Production   This episode was recorded on Riverside.fm, hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS).  Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu    Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion.     Intro and Outro Music  Sourced from Pixabay, "Enhance" by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.

    1h 31m

  4. Mar 6

    Indigenous and Decolonial Approaches to Curriculum: Learnings from Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige

    Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige is Mushkego Cree of Petabeck First Nation in Treaty 9 with mixed Cree and French lineage. She is a community member, Indigenous scholar, and at the time of release, an Assistant Professor at the School of Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University. We were incredibly fortunate to have Candace as part of our Western University community for over a decade, where she supported the creation of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the development of integral learning opportunities such as the Indigenous Teaching and Learning Series and the Indigenous Learning Bundles. We had a chance to sit down with Candace to learn more about her journey and experiences across the many roles she has held, alongside her insights on Indigenous and decolonial approaches to education.    We know efforts towards decolonization and Indigenization have been a priority area for institutions across Canada, particularly following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report in 2015. But what does it actually look like in practice? How do we take steps towards building genuine, intentional relationships with community to ensure this work is beneficial? How does all of this fit into the Eurocentric westernized model of education many of us are accustomed to? If you find yourself faced with these questions and have a genuine interest to learn, you're in the right place.    Tune in to this episode to reflect, unlearn, and reimagine what teaching and learning can look like when Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge, and belonging are truly honoured and prioritized, and how you can meaningfully take part in these processes.   We would like to extend a huge thank you and our gratitude to Candace for gifting us this knowledge and for all the ways that she has supported our campus community.    Remembering Dr. Lillian McGregor, mentioned in this episode: Dr. Lillian McGregor (1924-2012) of Whitefish River First Nation was the first Elder-in-Residence at the University of Toronto First Nation House, and a strong community leader. Visit Dr. Lillian McGregor Park, in Toronto, ON.    Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc    Keywords: Higher Education; EDI-D; Decolonization; Indigenization; Inclusion; Educational Sovereignty; Truth and Reconciliation; Curriculum Development; Learning Bundles; Community-Based Learning; Community Engaged Learning   TImestamps (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement 00:04:10 - Guest Introduction  00:05:21 - Welcome Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige!  00:06:40 - Candace's Time at Western University  00:13:14 - Candace's Path to Higher Education  00:27:01 - The Indigenous Teaching and Learning Series  00:33:52 - The Indigenous Learning Bundles  00:42:59 - Implementing the Bundles in Collaboration with Non-Indigenous Faculty   01:12:24 - Building Relationships with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers  01:18:04 - Mobilizing Decolonization Efforts (e.g., in Meetings, or Committees)  01:25:55 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s) 01:31:30 - If You Had a Magic Wand... 01:35:58 - To Learn More...Check These Out (decolonialfutures.net) 01:40:22 - Poem, "Reconciliation" by Rebeka Tabobondung 01:41:37 - Outro   Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading)   00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement   00:01:26 - Definitions of Decolonization and Indigenization Western University Office of Research Schulich Office of EDI-D  Two Eyed Seeing (in the words of Albert Marshall, Mi'kmaq Elder)    00:04:10 - Welcome Candace Brunette-Debassige! (see her current biography, including her broader publication profile)    00:08:45 - Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Reports and Calls to Action Further Reading: Calls to Action for Higher Education   00:09:43 - Indigenous Student Centre, Western University    00:10:45 - Strategic Planning and Reports, Indigenous Initiatives   00:11:17 - Candace's PhD Dissertation, "The Trickiness of Settler Colonialism: Indigenous Women Administrators' Experiences of Policy in Canadian Universities"  Her learnings and work have also been translated into a book, "Tricky Grounds: Indigenous Women's Experiences in Canadian University Administration" (Link to Purchase, or view Open Access eBook)    00:11:38 - Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Western University    00:11:53 - Christy Bressette, Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President (Indigenous Initiatives)    00:19:08 - University of Toronto Academic Bridging Program    00:27:01 - Indigenous Teaching and Learning Series  Additional Learning and Development Opportunities at Western    00:27:50 - Center for Teaching and Learning Teaching Fellows  Learn more about Candace's appointment    00:28:06 - (previous news report) Sarah Prichard, Acting Vice-President (Research), also Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic)    00:29:55 - Aisha Haque, Current Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning   00:30:09 - Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Advisor (previously held by Sara Mai Chitty). Check out the podcast she contributed to our campus community, Mbwaach'idiwag (they visit with each other)    00:33:52 - Indigenous Learning Bundles: Maatookiiying gaa-miinigoowiziying (Sharing our Gifts). More details on support available when completing the Bundles can be found on this site, including the Community of Practice Candace mentions.    00:35:13 - Indigenous Bundles at Carleton University, stewarded by Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller    00:35:45 - Paula Cornelius-Hedgepeth (Director, Indigenous Engagement and Wampum Learning Lodge)    00:39:19 - Articles on The Bundles Sharing Indigenous Knowledges in University Teaching: The Need for Conciliable Spaces (2025 – Collaboration with Kahente Horn-Miller and Sara Mai Chitty) Bringing indigenous educational leadership perspectives into social work leadership education (2025 - Collaboration with Rosemary Vito, Social Work Faculty) At the time of episode release, the third article is still in press, but keep an eye out for its publication!    00:44:44 - Liz Akiwenzie, Knowledge Keeper   00:50:42 - Bias in Student Evaluations (the importance of thinking critically about where bias may present itself in these mediums, and how we can support faculty accordingly) Lighting the Fire: Experiences of Indigenous Faculty in Universities (Ontario's Universities)  Exploring Bias in Student Evaluations: Gender, Race, and Ethnicity  Student evaluation of teaching: gender bias in a country at the forefront of gender equality Evaluating Student Evaluations of Teaching: A Review of Measurement and Equity Bias in SETs and Recommendations for Ethical Reform   00:53:56 - Community Engaged Learning (Western's Website)    00:58:53 - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson    01:08:04 - Sheila Cote-Meek's Book, "Colonized Classrooms: Racism, Trauma and Resistance in Post-Secondary Education"   01:27:05 - Thesis-Based Masters in Indigenous Relations (MIR) at Laurentian University    01:33:53 - Master of Indigenous Land-Based Education    01:36:36 - Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures (decolonialfutures.net) and Towards Braiding   01:37:06 - Aiden Cinnamon Tea Project (burnoutfromhumans.net)    01:40:12 A gift from Candace. Poem, "Reconciliation" by Rebeka Tabobondung (also pasted below):   We are waking up to our history from a forced slumber We are breathing it into our lungs so it will be part of us again It will make us angry at first because we will see how much you stole from us and for how long you watched us suffer we will see how you see us and how when we copied your ways we killed our own.   We will cry and cry and cry because we can never be the same again But we will go home to cry and we will see ourselves in this huge mess and we will gently whisper the circle back and it will be old and it will be new    Then we will breathe our history back to you you will feel how strong and alive it is and you will feel yourself become a part of it And it will shock you at first because it is too big to see all at once and you won't want to believe it you will see how you see us and all the disaster in your ways how much we lost   And you will cry and cry and cry because we can never be the same again But we will cry with you and we will see ourselves in this huge mess and we will gently whisper the circle back| and it will be old and it will be new.    Audio Recording and Production  This episode was recorded on Riverside.fm, hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS).  Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu   Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion.    Intro and Outro Music Sourced from Pixabay, "Enhance" by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.

    1h 42m

  5. Feb 11

    From Classroom to Community, and Leading from Behind: Part 2 with Dr. Sukhi Bains

    From Classroom to Community, and Leading from Behind: Part 2 with Dr. Sukhi Bains       If you change the metrics, you can change the outcomes. During part one of our conversation with Dr. Sukhi Bains, we received an introduction to the Schulich EDI-D Office, and how it supports faculty, staff, and students alike in creating inclusive spaces that adapt to their lived realities and goals.     We now know that when it comes to academic environments, beginning to understand (and question) metrics starts with expanding our minds beyond numbers and thresholds, to holistically consider the people that make up our classrooms, labs, etc. But how exactly does that happen? It really does seem easier said than done.     Tune in to the remainder of our conversation with Dr. Sukhi Bains as we discuss student engagement and advocacy, embracing the fear of the unknown, and building systems to uphold equity work across our departments. We'll also dive into the world of a leader and discuss rewards, challenges, and how to stay connected with the fantastic work of her team, and so many other partners across London, Ontario.     Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc     Keywords: Higher Education, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, EDI-D, Inclusive Education, Undergraduate, Graduate, Professional Education, Learner Experience, Inclusive Metrics, Structural Inequities, EDI in STEM, Western University, Social Accountability, Community-Engaged Learning, Xenophobia     TImestamps (HH:MM:SS)  00:00:00 - Introduction: Welcome Back, and Quick Recap   00:03:28 - Uplifting the Student Voice/Engagement   00:14:59 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s)   00:31:48 - If You Had a Magic Wand…   00:41:48 - Parting Pieces and To Learn More…Check These Out   00:55:38 - Our Reflection: Key Takeaways and Outro    Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading)   00:00:32 - Welcome Back, Sukhi Bains (Schulich Biography)     00:09:11 - EDI-Related Incident Resources     00:10:28 - Newcomer Hub: Navigating the Health System    Additional Resource: https://www.newcomernavigation.ca/en/our-tools/navigating-the-ontario-healthcare-system-toolkit.aspx      00:11:25 - Cross-Cultural Learners Center    00:11:25 - London InterCommunity Health Center     00:11:33 - Center for Research in Health Equity and Social Inclusion     00:11:36 - Middlesex-London Public Health Unit    00:13:30 - The 519  Ark Aid Mission   London Cares   CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association, Thames Valley)     00:18:26 - EDIDA Awareness Week (see the programming in 2025)   Schulich Research Office    00:20:14 – Schulich Clinical Skills Program (and Standardized Patients)    00:23:18 – Racism and Public Health (a starting point to learn more, but we encourage you to explore additional resources)    00:24:23 - Dr. Nicole Redvers (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Planetary Health)  Dr. Nicole Redvers' Biography     00:25:00 - Experts on Epistemic Injustice; Knowledge Justice (just one of the amazing resources out there)   Additional Resource: https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/fpq/article/view/14291     00:26:04 – CREDIT (Council on Reforming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Trainees)     00:26:14 - Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada    00:27:50 - Sarah McLean and Community Engaged Learning     00:27:54 - Physiology Diversified    00:28:01 - Charys Martin's Work on Eponyms   Inclusive Anatomy Website    00:36:41 - 2024 'Speaking Out' Survey at University of Toronto (one example of gathering information on the lived experience of faculty, staff, and learners)    00:45:19 - Schulich EDI-D Office    00:46:39 - Schulich Community of Support    00:46:54 - Western EDI Office     00:46:54 - Office of Indigenous Initiatives     00:47:30 - Partnerships with London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph's Health Care     00:48:20 - Inclusive Curriculum Community of Support for Health Professions (and additional online learning opportunities)     00:51:32 - Schulich Collaboration with Faculty of Health Sciences (just one output of this fantastic collaboration)     00:52:38 - The Decolonization, Anti-Racism, and Anti-Oppression (DARAO) Committee at the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing   Faculty of Health Sciences EDIDA Events    00:55:05 - Schulich EDI-D Resource Hub    00:55:10 - The Black Health Primer     00:55:14 - Indigenous Canada Modules     00:55:22 - EDID Office Email edid@schulich.uwo.ca ; and Sukhi's Email sbains7@uwo.ca     Audio Recording and Production   This episode was recorded on Riverside.fm, hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS).   Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu    Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion.     Intro and Outro Music  Sourced from Pixabay, "Enhance" by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.

    1h 12m

  6. Feb 3

    Rethinking Higher Education Metrics for Equity, Inclusion, and Impact: Part 1 with Dr. Sukhi Bains

    In the medical sciences, we observe, experiment, and test the physical and natural world around us. Whether it is to test a novel therapeutic intervention, conduct an experiment exploring the physiology behind a disease, or evaluate population-level trends, there is an aim to promote evidence-based decision making.     As learners and teachers, people come first. We want to build inclusive classroom and laboratory spaces where students feel seen and heard, but it can be difficult to know whether our intentions and initiatives are making a real impact. Can Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDI-D) principles be transformed into tangible metrics and outcomes? How do we know if we are supporting our students with these values in mind?      Tune in to our conversation with Dr. Sukhi Bains, a triple-board certified physician and the Acting Associate Dean of EDI-D at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, to learn more about how metrics come into her work both in the clinic and on campus. This is part one, and we'll be releasing part two shortly after.     Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc     Keywords: Higher Education; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization; EDI-D; Inclusive Education; Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Education; Learner Experience; Inclusive Metrics; Structural Inequities; EDI in STEM; Western University    TImestamps (MM:SS)  00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast  01:12 - Land Acknowledgement  03:41 - Guest Introduction   06:37 - Welcome Dr. Sukhi Bains!   07:11 - What is the Schulich EDI-D Office?   18:33 - Sukhi Bains' Career Path   35:10 - Measuring the Impact of EDIDA Principles in Higher Education: How?   48:26 - Outro (and More to Come!)     Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading)   1:12 - Land Acknowledgement  1:32 - Learnings on the Haudenosaunee Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames     4:03 – Dr. Sukhi Bains' Bio   07:26 - Schulich EDI-D Office  08:07 - Remembering George Floyd   Additional Resource: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/death-george-floyd    08:10 - Remembering Joyce Echaquan  Additional Resource: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/echaquan-five-years-later-principle-systemic-racism-1.7645758   08:13 - Remembering Brian Sinclair   Additional Resource: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-brian-sinclair-report-1.4295996  Book: "Structures of Indifference: An Indigenous Life and Death in a Canadian City"  08:15 - TRC Calls to Action in Higher Education   08:40 - EDI-D Office: Faculty-Wide Mandate   10:49 – Council on Reforming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Trainees (CREDIT)  13:59 - Western EDI Office  14:04 - Office of Indigenous Initiatives  19:13 - UWO WISE Program   21:41 – Dr. Anton Allahar  20:37 - Canada World Youth (Archive Website; this program shut down in 2022)  31:06 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports    Audio Recording and Production   This episode was recorded on Riverside.fm, hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS). Thank you to Patrick Barfoot and Dave Creces for their support with refining the audio for this episode.     Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu    Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion.     Intro and Outro Music  Sourced from Pixabay, "Enhance" by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.

    50 min

  7. Jan 9

    Inclusive Learning by Design: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Nicole Campbell

    Description As an educator, what do you wish you knew about where your students' needs and interests lie? As a student, what do you wish your instructors knew about your professional and personal goals beyond the classroom? For both groups, what do you do when you don't even know…what you don't know? These are important questions to consider, especially when building an inclusive classroom environment where the goal is to address all student needs.  As the Project Lead for Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum, 3M Teaching Fellow Dr. Nicole Campbell has begun to answer these questions, providing both learners and educators tools, resources, and opportunities to reflect on the skills and professional development lessons that aren't explicitly touched on in academia. We sat down with Dr. Campbell to learn more about the development of this resource, and how she has incorporated it into her work as an Associate Professor and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Program at the undergraduate and graduate level.  Send Us Feedback: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cu1UE1HQsz86vc  Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading/Exploration) 00:01:16 - Land Acknowledgement: https://indigenous.uwo.ca/initiatives/land_acknowledgement.html 00:01:49 - A Dish with One Spoon: https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/a-dish-with-one-spoon 00:03:24 - Course-Based MSc in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/programs/program.cfm?p=286 00:03:55 - 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2024 Awardee, Dr. Nicole Campbell): https://news.westernu.ca/2024/05/nicole-campbell-3m-national-teaching-fellowship/ 00:04:23 - The Hidden Curriculum (Resource Website): https://hiddencurriculum.ca/ About The Hidden Curriculum: https://universityaffairs.ca/opinion/the-hidden-curriculum-and-its-impacts-on-students-and-educators/ 00:04:27 - Inclusive Science4All: https://www.inclusivescience4all.ca/ 00:04:32 - Design Thinking (Institute of Design at Standford): https://web.stanford.edu/~mshanks/MichaelShanks/files/509554.pdf   00:04:32 - Western Conference on Science Education: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wcse/   00:05:21 - Centre for Teaching and Learning: https://teaching.uwo.ca/index.html 00:13:54 - E-Campus Ontario: https://ecampusontario.ca/ 00:15:17 - Western EDI Office: https://www.edi.uwo.ca/ 00:50:35 - Design Thinking Worksheet for Educators: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YoBAGD0rxx-p0685dinIHJrUcYdfpGN4/view 01:05:27 - Reach Out to Dr. Campbell: nicole.campbell@schulich.uwo.ca 01:13:20 - Dr. Beth Hundey's educational legacy, Connecting for Climate Change Action Course https://geoenvironment.uwo.ca/undergraduate/courses/c4cca.html   TImestamps (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Start 00:00:10 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:01:16 - Land Acknowledgement 00:03:09 - Guest Introduction 00:04:49 - Welcome Dr. Nicole Campbell!   00:05:39 - Nicole Campbell's Career Path 00:09:09 - What is the Hidden Curriculum? And Background on the Project 00:13:44 - Building the Hidden Curriculum as a Tangible Resource 00:20:20 - How Can Instructors Implement the Hidden Curriculum? 00:24:25 - Measurable Impact of the Hidden Curriculum 00:31:04 - Addressing Gaps in "Traditional" Education 00:33:51 - Barriers to Implementing the Hidden Curriculum 00:39:44 - Addressing Biases and Assumptions as an Educator 00:45:08 - Misconceptions on Inclusive Learning Environments 00:48:19 - Additional Tools to Support an Inclusive Learning Environment 00:51:46 - The Future of the Hidden Curriculum (and Other Projects!) 00:56:54 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s) 01:01:32 - If You Had a Magic Wand… 01:04:23 - To Learn More…Check These Out 01:06:42 - Our Reflection: Key Takeaways and Outro 01:13:20 - In Memory of Dr. Beth Hundey  Credits:   Hosts: Preetama Badyal & Oana Birceanu Guest: Dr. Nicole Campbell Audio Production: Preetama Badyal Technical Production: Patrick Barfoot & David Creces, Educational Technology & Media Services (ETMS), Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Recorded on: Riverside.fm. Thank you to undergraduate student Joyce Li, who contributed to the topic list and greatly supported background research on this podcast during the 2024-2025 academic year.

    1h 15m
  • 7 Episodes

About

Echoes from the Margins: Voices Reshaping Higher Education is a podcast developed by, and for, educators and learners looking to incorporate principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility (EDIDA) into their classroom, lab, and professional spaces. As we respond to an ever-changing postsecondary landscape, it is crucial that learners and educators alike feel represented and supported on and beyond campus. This podcast serves as a Community of Practice to amplify current initiatives promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion within education. Tune in to each episode to learn more about educators, researchers, students, and leaders who have reshaped curriculum development and student support. Beyond impact, you'll get a chance to hear thoughtful and honest conversations about teaching, learning, and navigating academic life. Co-hosted by Dr. Oana Birceanu, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and Preetama Badyal, a MSc graduate from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Supported by Schulich Educational Media Technology Services (ETMS). Funding for the podcast has been provided by Western University BrainsCAN and it is part of a project titled "Rethinking Representation: Tools to Address Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDI-D) Barriers in Undergraduate and Graduate Education".

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