BRN Inspires Social 2025

The Black Research Network (BRN) invites its members and the wider University of Toronto community to the BRN Inspires Social on Dec. 5.  

This special gathering offers an opportunity to celebrate Black excellence in research and strengthen community connections. Attendees will also learn about upcoming BRN initiatives and our vision for the future.  

Mentor Roundtable Mixer: 

In our continued commitment to fostering mentorship opportunities, BRN members are invited to participate in a mentor mixer before the social.  

Open to BRN faculty and post-doctoral fellows, in this structured workshop, engage with U of T faculty members in discussions on balancing professional and personal responsibilities in academia. Topics will include work-life balance, the tenure process, interdisciplinary collaboration and navigating invisible labour. 

Please note:

• The Mentor Roundtable Mixer takes place from 4 – 5 p.m.
• The networking portion of the evening takes place from 5 – 7 p.m. and is open to all.
• Registration closes on Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. Limited spaces are available.

Meet the mentors:  

Leadership and Team Management – Administrative Roles 
Lisa Robinson, Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Vice-Provost, University of Toronto  

Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations 
Lance T. McCready, Associate Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education 

Tenure Process 
Melanie J. Newton, Chair, Graduate Program and Professor of History and Caribbean Studies, Faculty of Arts and Science  

Navigating Invisible Labour – Service 
R. Cassandra Lord, Associate Professor & Acting Director, Black Research Network, Historical Studies – Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University of Toronto Mississauga  

Building Collaborative Research Relationships 
Samuel Akinbo and Suzi Lima, Assistant Professors, Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Toronto  

Work-Life Balance 
Temitope “Tope” Adefarakan, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Canadian Studies Program and Transitional Year Program, University College 

The BRN Inspires Social 2025 is sponsored by Victoria University in the University of Toronto.