Hidden Figures (Canada)

Dr. Allan E.S. Lumba is an Assistant Professor of History at Concordia University. His latest book " Monetary Authorities: Capitalism and Decolonization in the American Colonial Philippines" is available from Duke University Press, or at the open access at the link below. In this episode, Dr. Lumba chats with Joe and Annie about the importance of history in understanding contemporary iss...

Dr. Sylvia Santosa, Canada Research Chair in Clinical Nutrition at Concordia University, joins the Hidden Figures team to discuss her journey into academia and how she became interested in researching fat tissue, obesity, and metabolic disorders. This conversation covers the challenges of bias and inequity in academia and within the discipline itself, but also highlights positive shifts towards in...

In this episode, Dr. Alejandro Hernandez discusses his journey in academia, starting from his motivation for pursuing a PhD to his experiences as a postdoctoral fellow. He reflects on the complexities and challenges within academia, particularly regarding the neo-liberalization of education and the hierarchies present within institutions. Dr. Hernandez shares insights on his research projects and...

In this episode, Dr. Ethel Tungohan discusses what motivates her, her experiences with tenure processes, and the relevance of her research in a polarized political environment. Dr. Tungohan shares her approach to making research accessible to broader communities and discusses socially engaged research practices. The podcast also touches on the challenges and biases in academic disciplines and the...

In this episode, Dr. Raywat Deonandan talks with Annie about his journey from childhood in Guyana to pursuing a career in science and academia. He reflects on the importance of being brutally honest about personal goals and motivations in choosing a career path, and also emphasizes the role of academia in public health communication, the need for knowledge translation, and the challenges of balanc...

In this special Early Career Scholar episode of the HF Podcast, Renata Hall and Tari Ajadi talk with Akalya Kandiah about their experiences of incorporating activism into their academic journey. Hall shares her journey from facing challenges as a Black identifying student in the classroom to creating the Learning in Color project to advocate for inclusivity and anti-racism in higher education. Dr....

This episode features Dr. Janelle Joseph ( https://janellejoseph.com/ ), who discusses her research on anti-racism policies, physical activity access, decoloniality, and ethics. Dr. Joseph's groundbreaking 2017 book "Black Atlantic: Cricket, Canada and the Caribbean Diaspora" (linked below) focused on how sports create transnational social fields that connect migrants in North Americ...

In this episode, Dr. Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles discusses his research on Indigenous cultural responses to climate change and on leading the Geographic Indigenous Futures Co-Laboratory. He talks about the importance of building relationships with Indigenous communities and ensuring that research projects are community-led and non-extractive. Dr. Smiles also addresses the challenges of tokenizi...

Dr. Kevin Hewitt joins Nathan and Joe in this episode to discuss his journey as a black physicist and his efforts to increase representation of black professionals in STEM fields. He talks showcasing hidden figures in science, shares his research on optical diagnostic tools for disease detection, and highlights his work with Imhotep's Legacy Academy, a program that supports youth of African he...

In this episode, Dr. Debra Thompson (McGill University) chats with Nathan and Joe about her research on race and racism in Canada and abroad. She talks about the challenges of studying race in Canada, the history of racial classifications on censuses, and the need for new methodologies to understand racial discrimination. She also discusses the impact of her work in teaching students about racism...

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Shandin Pete chats with Joe and Akalya about his background, work, and interests as an Indigenous scientist, and his unique approach of blending geoscientific disciplines with Indigenous methods. Dr. Pete highlights the importance of reclaiming oral traditions, understanding the relationship between Indigenous and Western science, and his excitement for futur...

In this episode, Dr. Andy Knight discusses the importance of decolonizing the university and centering marginalized voices - in particular those of Black scholars - in academic scholarship. He emphasizes the need for normative intent in research and advocates for qualitative methodologies, such as case studies, to understand lived experiences. Dr. Knight also highlights the importance of resilienc...

In this episode, Nathan and Joe talk with Dr. Jennifer Adams, whose work in equity and post-secondary STEM education is specifically focused the experiences of racialized learners, and Black learners in particular. Their conversation examines her research methods, the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in science, and her experiences as a Black scholar in both the United States and C...

In this episode of the Hidden Figures podcast, Annie and Akalya talk neuroscience with Dr. Jibran Khokhar: his journey in academia, the importance of community in the field, and the need for more inclusivity and diversity in neuroscience. Dr. Khokhar shares his experiences as a first-generation student, the importance of a supportive community, finding joy in the research, and reaching out for men...

In this episode, Dr. Taru Manyanga - a physical therapist and epidemiologist based at UNBC - talks with Joe and Annie about positive disruptions, bold ideas, and the importance of belonging but also being true to yourself. He highlights the value of diversity and the need to challenge biases within academia. In this wide-ranging and animated conversation, Taru advises everyone to show up confident...

Dr. Jessie King (Hadiksm Gaax) talks with Annie and Nathan about her journey into academia, the importance of Indigenous perspectives in research, and the need for more diverse representation in academic spaces. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and creating spaces for underrepresented voices to flourish. She also discusses her teaching approach, which is focused on relationship-building...

In this episode, Dr. Juliet Daniel discusses her background growing up in Barbados, her motivation to have a global impact, and her research on cancer, particularly focusing on triple negative breast cancer in Black women. She describes the challenges and barriers she faced in academia, the lack of diversity, and the importance of initiatives like the Black Scientists Network. She also shares her...

Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh is a political historian at McMaster University, where he teaches global human rights history and African history, and is Director of the McMaster Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights. Tune in for a fascinating Hidden Figures conversation on universality, globalism/localism, and privilege.

Meet the Hidden Figures team that shares hosting duties in this quick introductory episode that sets the stage for our upcoming podcasts.