Women in Research Council

In keeping with Ontario Tech University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and the Office of Research Services (ORS) are launching the Ontario Tech University Women in Research Council (WIRC). The specific mandate of the Council is to develop and implement initiatives to invest in gender equity at Ontario Tech by helping to actively nurture and retain talented women who can help advance and lead the university in research, teaching and beyond.

*Anytime we refer to “women”, we are referring to all women, which includes, but is not limited to trans women, gender non-conforming women, non-binary women, individuals who are feminine of centre, femmes and cisgender women.

The funding for this program is provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Institutional Grant program.

Pathways Series

Pathways to Canada Research Chair - January 21, 2025

Pathway Series Description

The Women in Research Council is excited to introduce the Pathways series. In these talks, we will learn about the pathway and trajectories of inspiring Ontario Tech colleagues who are research chairs, thought leaders, and innovators. The invited speakers represent diverse disciplines and will reflect on how they got to their roles, as well as the challenges, joys, and realities they face. The talks are aimed to inspire, educate and empower audience members to reflect on their potential and to encourage them to pursue their own research and leadership pathways."

The Pathways to Canada Research Chair (CRC) will feature 3 Ontario Tech University CRCs - Dr. Janette Hughes, Dr. Denina Simmons and Dr. Kanika Samuels-Wortley. CRC chairholders are recognized for their commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge in their fields, not only through their own work but through the teaching and supervising of students and the co-ordination of work by other researchers.

When: January 21, 2025 from 12 - 2pm

Where: In-person (Dixon/Alger Fireside Reading Room) and online

Register for the event here: https://forms.gle/2zWmcEqUydVZLPzq8

Panelists bio:
Dr. Janette Hughes is a Canada Research Chair, Technology and Pedagogy and Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University. She is the recipient of multiple research and teaching awards, including the Ontario Tech University Graduate Student Supervision Award, 2022; Tim McTiernan Student Mentorship Award, 2022; Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence Award, 2016; UOIT Teaching Excellence Award, 2016; National Technology Leadership Initiative Fellowship, 2013; UOIT Research Excellence Award, Early Stage Researcher, 2012. She is the recipient of multiple research grants totaling more than $6m. Dr. Hughes is a prolific author and presenter, sharing her work both nationally and internationally in prestigious scholarly and professional journals, keynote talks, and conferences. She has presented more than 140 peer-reviewed research papers conferences across Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Attesting to the recognition of her leadership in technology and pedagogy, Dr. Hughes is routinely contacted by school districts, Ministry personnel, Principals’ councils and industry partners to consult on a variety of topics, including online teaching and learning, equity issues in ed tech, creating innovative learning environments, establishing STEAM focused Makerspaces in schools, shifting pedagogies in a digital era, the social and ethical implications of AI, and how to foster the development of global (21st century) skills and competencies in K-12 and higher education.

Dr. Denina Simmons was appointed to the Faculty of Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in July 2018, where she is a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Aquatic Toxicology and runs the Aquatic Omics Lab. Denina’s research at Ontario Tech focusses on pairing non-targetted bioanalytial chemistry with non-lethal sampling and observational science to understand the health of aquatic animals. Denina is a recipeint of the Ontario Early Researcher Award from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. Denina is also an associate editor for the Elsevier Journal “Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part D: Genomics and Proteomics” and the Springer Journal “Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology”. Denina received her undergraduate degree from Ryerson University and then completed her master’s degree at Trent University under the supervision of Chris Metcalfe investigating the effects of personal care products on the estrogen receptor. Denina continued her doctoral research at Trent University under the supervision of Dirk Wallschälger and Neil Emery when she examined the metabolic detoxification of selenium by algae. Denina completed two consecutive post-doctoral fellowships at Environment Canada working with Jim Sherry in the Aquatic Contaminants Research Division where she developed protein profiling and proteomics methods to investigate the health of fish. After that, Denina had two consecutive contracts working on ‘Omics projects with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks.

Dr. Kanika Samuels-Wortley is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Systemic Racism, Technology, and Criminal Justice in the Department of Criminology and Justice at Ontario Tech University. Presently, she is a Visiting Fellow at Australian National University at the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) in Canberra, Australia. Dr. Samuels-Wortley’s research explores the intersection of race, racism, and the Canadian criminal justice system, particularly within policing. Her work has been disseminated in both national and international journals, books, keynote talks, and presentations. This includes articles in prestigious criminal justice journals, including Crime and Delinquency, Race and Justice, and the Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as invited panel discussions across Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Further, she has authored and co-authored several provincial and federal policy reports exploring police processes and procedures. Her work has been quoted in national media platforms, including the CBC, TVO, Globe and Mail, Radio-Canada, and The Star. Her forthcoming book, Race, Crime, and Justice in Canada, will be released in spring 2025.