Awards Committee
Graduate Students’ Biographical Statements
Kathleen Cherrington, Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies
I am enrolled full-time at York University’s Graduate Program in Gender, Feminism and Women’s Studies. My doctoral research is titled: Sex Workers’ Feminist Art Activism: Creative Resistance in Nairobi, Kenya – an extension of my Master’s MRP titled, Counterhegemonic Artistic Cultural Productions in Sex Worker Activism which focused on a similar topic within a North American context. I will work collaboratively with Kenyan sex workers’ organizations to explore their art-activism to co-curate a feminist, multimodal installation about grassroots arts-based resistance. Utilizing transnational, post-colonial, Indigenous, and sex-positive feminist theories, this project focuses on art produced by sex workers as a form of resistance for social justice. Areas of specialization include critical sex work and erotic labour studies; sexualities; feminist art; creative research methods; human rights; art as resistance; performance philosophies, and scholar activism.
My inspiration originated during my fifteen years employment in the Canadian nonprofit sector. I provided support services in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver to marginalized sex workers, during the trial of a serial killer who targeted them. I coordinated fundraisers for the “International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers” where sex workers and their allies would perform songs, poetry, fashion shows, burlesque dancing, and drag shows to commemorate those who died and/or suffered daily systemic violence. Sex workers demonstrated their creativity and rallied for social justice using grassroots organizing. After I complete the doctoral program I will apply to the post-doctoral program at York University and will instruct courses within the fields of interdisciplinary and sexuality studies.
Shehnoor Khurram, Graduate Program in Political Science
Shehnoor Khurram is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science at York University, specializing in International Relations. Her research engages with contemporary intersections of religion, terrorism, and imperialism with a focus on transregional linkages between the Middle East, South Asia, and West Africa. She has a BA from the University of Toronto and an MA from York University. She is currently a research fellow at Osgoode Hall’s Nathanson Centre working on her dissertation that traces the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Shehnoor has published bylines in the Huffington Post, Canadian Dimension, and Briarpatch Magazine, with a peer-reviewed article in New Sociology: Journal of Critical Praxis. Shehnoor is also a passionate educator and two-time nominee for the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching with five years of rich teaching (Teaching Assistantship and Course Directorship) experience. Shehnoor has also contributed service to her area, including (1) acting as a peer-reviewer for two academic journals, (2) volunteering to be a graduate representative for the Political Science Departmental Council, and (3) working for CUPE3903’s Health and Safety Committee and acting as a Unit 1 Steward.
Lopana Sagathevan, Graduate Program in Social Work
My name is Lopana Sagathevan, and I am current MSW student at York University, attending Year 1 of 2. I have a BA with Honours in Psychology and Gender Studies and a diploma in Social Service Worker. For the past five years, I have been working as a Social Service Worker for a centre that provides support for autistic children. My roles consisted of: facilitating conversation between families and the OAP coalition, hosting and planning out workshops to educate families and help with navigating services, hiring of Instructor Therapists and running monthly staff meetings, addressing any issues/concerns employees may have, and ensuring the overall success of the kids that attend the centre.
I believe I will be a great addition to The Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Standing Committee as I am a reliable, trustworthy and compassionate individual who is passionate in the work environment, easily learn new skills and adapt to a new environment. I am capable of making tough decisions and have tremendous experience handling hard to manage scenarios effectively and with ease. I am a strong leader with great leadership skills that have improved profusely during my work experience as a SSW who believes in creating a safe and strong team in order to succeed in the work environment and to foster trustworthy relationships. I look forward to joining the Standing Committee team and using my experience and aptitude to help me fill my roles and responsibilities.