Despite the challenges of 2021, LA&PS students, faculty and staff continued to create, innovate, and drive positive change in our communities. In our “Best of YU” series, we reflect on the year that was and celebrate some of our favourite stories, moments and highlights.
Countdown the 10 best with the Faculty of LA&PS!
Experiential education continues despite a pandemic
Hands-on learning is a hallmark of an education in LA&PS. Despite the ongoing pandemic, we continued to provide enriching experiential education options to our students over the past year, including 140 internships and 250+ course placement opportunities.
2021 Kitty Lundy Lecture welcomes renowned author Dionne Brand
The first-ever virtual Kitty Lundy Memorial Lecture was delivered by renowned poet and novelist Dionne Brand, whose powerful words inspired and ignited critical reflection on the state of contemporary world.
Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE)
We are so proud of this year’s Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE) recipients! 54 students participated in the program where they worked closely with an LA&PS researcher on projects examining some of the most pressing issues of our time.
Meet York’s 2021 Top 30 Changemakers Under 30
From business leaders championing diversity and equity to journalists shedding light on hard-hitting issues, LA&PS graduates are enacting real-world change. This year, 12 alumni across diverse sectors were recognized as York University Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 for their leadership in creating positive change.
![professor [9:11 a.m.] Sasha Smith #7 - Krystal Abotossaway and Aurangzeb (Zeb) Khandwala Joan Judge](https://www.yorku.ca/laps/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2021/12/BYU-6.jpg)
LA&PS faculty honoured with prestigious awards and distinctions
LA&PS is home to leading researchers across the social sciences, humanities and professional studies. This past year, several faculty received awards and recognitions for their outstanding research achievements, including appointments to the Royal Society of Canada and a Guggenheim fellowship.
Andrea Davis awarded prestigious 3-M National Teaching Fellowship
LA&PS professors continued to demonstrate that our Faculty is a hub of dynamic teaching. Humanities scholar Professor Andrea Davis was recognizing with a 3-M National Teaching Fellowship, Canada’s most prestigious award for teaching, leadership and innovation.
York U Class of 2021: A pandemic can’t keep this Tamil grandma from graduating
This year’s virtual Fall Graduation Celebration was an extra special occasion for Varathaledchumy Shanmuganathan. The 87-year-old Sri Lankan-born teacher became the oldest person to receive a master’s degree when she graduated from the Political Science program.
Supporting equity and diversity through research, teaching and programs
Over the past year, LA&PS has demonstrated its commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion through leading-edge research, community events that confront institutional and systemic racism, and initiatives supporting BIPOC researchers in the Faculty, such as LA&PS Black Scholars Research Fund.
New mentorship programs focus on Black, women students
Launched this Fall, the Advancing YU program is helping Black and women students in LA&PS overcome the the unique challenges they face in pursuit of successful careers. The pilot program connects students with alumni at the top of their field for networking, mentorship, and skill development opportunities.
LA&PS faculty drive positive change with innovative research
From Indigenous research to projects investigating pandemic effects, faculty members in LA&PS are leading global conversations about some of the most pressing issues facing humanity and producing cutting-edge research that will make a positive impact on communities across Canada and beyond.