U of T Geography and the BRN announce 2024 Black Graduate Scholar Award recipients

Olivia Bernard
PhD in Geography

Bernard’s research examines the experiences of Black girls in Toronto’s education system, focusing on marginalization through racial stereotypes, streaming, disciplinary actions, socioeconomic status, an anti-Black curriculum and resistance culture. Literature indicates that Canada’s education system has creates and maintains policies that discriminate against Black students and reinforce negative stereotypes. Understanding how Black girls face discrimination and its impact on their educational trajectories is crucial.

Mayara Almeida de Paula
PhD in Planning

Almeida de Paula’s research focuses on the interplay between race, gender and urban planning, specifically exploring the potential for reparative planning aimed at achieving equality in Brazilian Black neighborhoods. She co-ordinated a research project with the Black Planning Project last year, which examines the challenges faced by Black planners in Canada. Currently, she is involved in two research projects: “Worker-Owned Intersectional Platforms,” and “Transforming the City from the Favelas and Colonias Populares: Women and Embodied Urbanizations in Latin America.” Learn about her research in an Urban Limitrophe interview.

Ja’afar Dirie
PhD in Geography

Dirie’s research focuses on tahrrib (irregular migration) from the Horn of Africa to Europe, particularly in Somaliland and Germany. His recent article in the Journal of East African Studies examines Somaliland’s localized political, cultural and social responses to tahrrib, revealing its impact on national solidarity. His past research projects include the development of a community toolkit with the Urban Alliance on Race Relations to address challenges faced by Somali and Tamil communities in Toronto through dialogue workshops. Dirie has also researched the effectiveness of local policies aimed at reintegrating previously incarcerated Somali youth in Toronto.

Suad Sidow
Master of Science in Planning

Sidow’s primary research interest is in transportation planning and urban design. Her professional work focuses on transit and infrastructure planning, particularly in integrating emerging transportation technologies. Sidow is passionate about exploring the evolving identity of cities and reimagining how infrastructure can foster sustainable and inclusive communities. Currently, her research examines the intersection of land use and transit accessibility, employing a spatiotemporal approach to understand the experiences of personal support workers in Mississauga.