Celebrations and Important Conversations at Massey College
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Clarkson Laureate High Table last week. It was an honour to officiate my first High Table as Principal alongside the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson. I was heartened to see so many friends, both new and old, come together to celebrate members of our community who embody a commitment to the public good. A reminder that we are hosting a High Table to celebrate Black History Month on Friday, February 7. I am delighted to announce that Senior Fellow and Chief Justice of Ontario Michael Tulloch will preside. I hope you can attend.
While not all of our events will be as purely celebratory as our High Table evenings—Massey’s mission remains clear: to cultivate civility and leadership for the public good among the Junior Fellows. In these complex times, Massey must be a place where we engage with the social, economic, and political shifts shaping Canada and the world.
As such, I invite you to attend several important conferences this term:
On February 27, the Empowering Afghan Women for Global Justice conference, organized by Massey’s Chair in Human Rights Payam Akhavan, will convene Afghan women leaders, policymakers, and human rights advocates to address gender apartheid under the Taliban.
In March, Senior Fellow Justice Julie Thorburn and Alum Sandhya Mylabathula will guide a conference on Language, Identity, and Resilience (March 6). And the Junior Fellow-led Walter Gordon Symposium will offer an interdisciplinary conference on Equity in Peril: Immigration, Urban Planning, and Energy (March 15) with the support of Tom Axworthy, Massey’s Chair in Public Policy.
Save the date of April 15 for Liberal Democracy in the Rear-View, led by Senior Fellow Peter Biro, to explore the ongoing changes to democracies around the world.
Please see details below for these and other critically important events.
With all best wishes,
Dr. James Orbinski
Principal
The Dr. Aubie and Esther-Rose Angel Leadership Prize
If you are connected to a Junior Fellow enrolled in medicine or related sciences (eg. nursing, bioethics, biomedical engineering, etc.), who has supported the Massey community through their leadership abilities and accomplishments, please consider nominating them for this prize of $2,000. This prize will be conferred to the recipient at the Convocation High Table in March.
The deadline to submit: March 3, 2025.
Access the nomination form here.
JUNIOR FELLOW APPLICATIONS– LAST DAY
Expand your academic, social, and cultural horizons as a Junior Fellow! Graduate and professional students—apply by tonight!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, February 3 – Book Club: Son of Elsewhere
Join the discussion of Elamin Abdelmahmoud’s Son of Elsewhere with presenter Dr. Sara Houshmand. This memoir reflects on Blackness, faith, identity, and the journey of finding belonging, blending humour and insight. RSVP HERE to join in person or via Zoom.
Mark your calendars for the next Book Clubs on March 3 (find reading copies for Hello Beautiful in the Upper Library) and April 7.
You are always invited to join the formal dinner prior to attending Book Club. Please register here by Friday at 2:00pm.
Wednesday, February 5 – Massey Dialogues – Don’t Call Me Resilient (podcast recording)
Join us for a thought-provoking live recording of Don’t Call Me Resilient from The Conversation Canada. PhD student Jul Jeonghyun Parke (Faculty of Information, U of T) sits down with host Vinita Srivastava to unpack the racial and ethical implications of “virtual influencers” — AI-generated personas shaping social media trends. These non-human influencers, often styled as young women of colour, are created by marketing agencies, sparking critical questions about authenticity, identity, and governance in the digital age.
Read this article in The Conversation highlighting what lawmakers can learn from South Korea.
Wednesday, February 5 – Music Salon – The Colour of Joy: Celebrating Black Art Song in Canada
The brilliant young soprano Jonelle Sills will sing the title song, which was commissioned by The Canadian Art Song Project, and talk with lyricists Kanika Ambrose and Christene Browne about the creative process and the importance of bringing Black voices into the classical vocal repertoire. Join at 7:45pm in the Music Room / Colin Friesen Room following formal dinner. RSVP.
Friday, February 7 – Black History Month High Table
Gather with us at Massey’s High Table for an evening of celebration and community. Join us as we recognize and honour Black communities within Massey and beyond, welcome new fellows and scholars, and share a wonderful meal together. RSVP
Wednesday, February 12 – Alumni Dinner (2015-2024 cohort)
Reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate! Alumni from the 2015–2024 cohort are invited to a special dinner to reconnect, meet Junior Fellows, and share a memorable evening. All members of the College community are welcome! RSVP by 2pm the day before.
Monday, February 24 – Saving Journalism: Can Community Building Counter AI and Polarization
Join Pia Ranada, the McLuhan Fellow from the Philippines, for a talk on how building journalism around community can help it survive. With the rise of AI, the unreliability of big tech as platforms for news distribution, and increasing polarization, can a focus on community building help save journalism? Pia will discuss efforts in her newsroom at Rappler to bring the work of journalism to readers and citizens in new, impactful ways. RSVP
Wednesday, February 26 – Junior Fellow Lecture Series
February’s lectures will explore Gender and Sexuality from diverse academic perspectives—expect thought-provoking insights and engaging discussion.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Thursday, February 27 – Empowering Afghan Women for Global Justice
You are invited to participate in a high-level meeting of experts, including Afghan women leaders, policymakers, and international human rights advocates. Together, we will reflect on strategic approaches to leveraging the leadership and knowledge of Afghan women in shaping foreign policy and advancing international accountability mechanisms in response to the Taliban’s persecution of women and girls. This includes exploring potential proceedings before the ICJ and ICC against the Taliban leadership.
Thursday, March 6 – Language, Identity, and Resilience: Exploring the Importance of French in Minority Language Communities
Join the afternoon conference which will build bridges between anglophone and francophone communities, deepening anglophone understanding of contemporary issues within francophone communities in Canada. We will delve into the critical role of the French language in shaping identity and fostering resilience in Ontario’s Francophone minority communities.
Thursday, March 13 – Walter Gordon Symposium – Equity in Peril: Immigration, Urban Planning, and Energy
Policymakers in Canada are grappling with a unique set of challenges that threaten to create or exacerbate existing inequities, including climate change, the shifting political landscape in the US, and a cost-of-living crisis. This Junior Fellow led symposium brings together policymakers, academics, and community leaders to explore how Canada can navigate these complex issues while forging a more equitable and inclusive path forward in housing, energy, and immigration policy. Together, we’ll examine actionable solutions that promote fairness, sustainability, and social cohesion for all Canadians.
Monday, April 15 – Liberal Democracy in the Rear-View Mirror?: On the question of democratic backsliding at home and in the world
As liberal constitutionalism faces mounting challenges worldwide, this conference examines the causes and consequences of democratic backsliding—both at home and abroad. Through keynote and panel discussions, speakers will explore global populist trends, the erosion of democratic norms, and the future of liberal internationalism. Join scholars, policy experts, and the Massey community in a critical dialogue on the threats to democracy and potential responses.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- Senior Fellow Prabhat Jha on what the US leaving the WHO means for Canada. Watch here or read here.
- Alum Lisa Levin was quoted on nursing homes in the province.
- Senior Fellow Kevin Lynch co-authored article in Policy Magazine on Risky Business exploring growing global risks and their impact on Canada.
- Senior Fellow Weyni Mengesha steps down as Soulpepper Theatre’s Artistic Director after 7 years at the helm. Read about it here.
- Watch Senior Fellow and Governing Board member Elizabeth Riddell-Dixon speak about Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic on TVO’s The Agenda.
- Read Senior Fellow Janice Stein’s Op-Ed on the Isreal-Hamas ceasefire deal.
REMINDERS
The Massey Choir meets on Sunday evenings 7:00-8:00pm in Ondaatje Hall, under the direction of Jayden Browne. All are welcome – Junior Fellows, Alumni, Senior Fellows, Quadranglers, staff. No training is required, and no experience necessary. For more information, contact Choir Director, Jayden Browne.
Massey is Lunch
Please continue to connect with Junior Fellows over delicious lunch in Ondaatje Hall by participating in the Massey is Lunch program. Register here.
William Southam Journalism Fellowship Applications
Mid-career journalists are invited to apply for the 2025–2026 cohort of the WSJF at Massey College. This transformative fellowship offers the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect at the University of Toronto. Applications are open until March 31. More information and application form here.
