BRN Research Symposium: Five things to expect 

The Black Research Network (BRN) will host its inaugural research symposium on April 14, bringing together multidisciplinary researchers from across the University of Toronto. The event will showcase the transformative impact of Black research excellence. 

With the theme Advancing Black Excellence through Research, Mentorship and Community Impact, the symposium promises a dynamic platform for attendees at every stage of their academic career to connect and spark future collaborations.  

From insightful talks and interactive workshops to mentorship opportunities, here are five things to expect. 

Hear from leading researchers 

Get ready to be informed and inspired by insightful talks! University of Toronto faculty will share how they are driving significant advancements and impactful conversations in their respective fields. Keynote speeches will be delivered by assistant professors Jude Kong, a recently named Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Community-Oriented Artificial Intelligence & Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, and Notisha Massaquoi, who became the inaugural Connaught Major Research Challenge for Black Researchers recipient in 2023.  

Research highlights will be presented by BRN IGNITE Grant recipient Timothy Bryan, a sociology assistant professor at U of T Mississauga whose research project explores perceptions of street safety in Halifax. Inaugural BRN Faculty Fellow Mireille Norris, a geriatrician at Sunnybrook Hospital and assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine will also present. 

Collaborative workshops 

The symposium will feature two collaborative workshop sessions designed to foster meaningful connections and encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue.  

Facilitated by Danielle Taschereau Mamers, managing director of the Critical Digital Humanities Initiative, a fast-paced collaborative networking session will allow faculty and postdoc fellows to engage in focused conversations about current and future research. 

Parallel to this session, Adrian Leckie, the program team lead of the Imani Program at U of T Scarborough, will lead an interactive workshop aimed at equipping Black graduate students with strategies to navigate academic challenges. The workshop will also focus on building a strong foundation for personal and professional success. 

Dynamic student and faculty-led research  

Delivered by undergrads and graduate students, poster presentations will cover a wide scope of topics, from public health and equity to the medical sciences, while others represent humanities and arts-based and engineering research. 

Meanwhile, get ready for the rocket pitch session, where graduate students and faculty will share short, high-impact presentations showcasing the essence of their research projects. It’s a fun and fast-paced way to explore exciting research and big ideas shaping various fields! 

Partnering with tomorrow’s researchers  

The BRN is proud to partner with the University of Toronto Black Graduate Students’ Association (BGSA) for the symposium to highlight the vital role students plays in shaping the future of research. As part of this collaboration, we will celebrate the next generation of scholars by presenting the Outstanding Graduate Student Poster Award, which recognizes exceptional research posters. This award will be announced on BRN social media channels after the event. 

Network, Network, Network!  

Whether you are looking to expand your professional network or gain fresh perspectives on advancing your academic journey, the symposium will provide plenty of opportunities to network throughout the day.  

A key opportunity is the mentorship lunch, where attendees will meet faculty and leaders from the BRN community. Designed to foster meaningful conversations, you’ll talk about career development, establishing professional relationships and gain other personal insights.  

To close out the day, an informal networking session will offer attendees one final opportunity to make connections and share experiences.  

The BRN Research Symposium takes place in Alumni Hall, located in Victoria College at Victoria University in the University of Toronto. View the symposium program.