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The journey that was 2024 at the 91ֱ�� was both rewarding and transformative, filled with challenges, accomplishments and growth.

From highly celebrated recognitions to the profound impact of building and fostering community connections, the OISE community has been deeply engaged in its pursuits to research, lead, and educate.

Below is a select list of achievements and memorable moments shared by our community. It is not a definitive list but a reminder of the power of ��������’s mission and our determination to help the world at large.

Finding community

This school year, 30 aspiring Black educators started their journey in ��������’s Master of Teaching program as the inaugural cohort of the Black Future Educators' Pathway (BFEP). The pathway created an equitable admission process for Black learners and offers comprehensive support throughout their time in the program.

In May, a research collaboration between OISE, the University of Manitoba, Lakehead University, and Simon Fraser University wrapped up its study by sharing insights with Indigenous Elders and community members – before presenting a hybrid lecture with the wider educational community. The research study, entitled “Indigenous Student Experiences Post-TRC: Indigenous Requirement Courses (IRC) in Teacher Education,” investigated the pedagogical implications and possibilities of IRCs as an effective response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action and commitments to Indigenization.

Last January, OISE hosted its annual JICS at the Movies, a ticketed fundraiser that brings our community together to watch a critically lauded film. The featured movie was Four Daughters, a critically acclaimed documentary 2023 documentary by Oscar-nominated director Kaouther Ben Hania. Ben Hania joined us for a special conversation, moderated by OISE faculty member, Dr. Beyhan Farhadi.

Accolades abound

Louis Busch, doctoral student in the Adult Education and Community Development (AECD) program, was named the 2024 winner of the Talent Award from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The Talent Award – one award from the Impact Award program – recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual who holds a SSHRC doctoral scholarship or fellowship or postdoctoral fellowship. The $50,000 award will support Busch’s ongoing research activities.

Professor Kang Lee, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Developmental Neuroscience and Moral Development, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Professor Lee also received the prestigious 2024 Governor General’s Innovation Award – which celebrates exceptional Canadian individuals, teams and organizations for their excellence in innovation and their contributions in helping to shape our future and positively impact our quality of life.

Dr. Chloe Hamza was the recipient of the Ministry of Ontario's Early Researcher Award (ERA) Program for .  This Ontario funding will support 406 research projects across the province, helping institutions attract and retain top research talent, and cover the costs of research operations and infrastructure. Dr. Hamza’s research program is broadly focused on understanding the development of mental health and well-being among adolescents and young adults, particularly in school-based contexts – for example, during the transition to post-secondary school.

Crossing the Convocation stage

Convocation never ceases as a moment to celebrate our students and faculty.

A friend of the Institute, Rosemary Sadlier received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Toronto.  Sadlier, a U of T alumna, author, historian, educator, social justice advocate, also addressed graduating students at the OISE convocation ceremony on June 7. She was critical in the adoption and recognition of Black History Month across Canada.

This was the first graduating cohort for the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Counselling Psychology and School Psychology field programs. This new program launched in Fall of 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of those grads, Dr. Maaike Canrinus, graduated in November. Dr. Canrinus earned a Doctor of Education, completing a dissertation-in-practice, which explores a real-world issue drawn from professional life. The problem she set out to address in her doctoral research was how to improve pyschologists’ practices in giving feedback to families for psychoeducational assessments.

In June, Nan La graduated with his Master of Education in social justice education. Nan, originally from a small farming village, came to OISE to gain a deeper understanding of his experiences in the Chinese education system as an Indigenous Tibetan.

We also brought you the story of Lu Wang, an education journalist turned student. Her interest in education systems in her native China and becoming a mother herself in 2020 lead to her decision to chase her earn a master of education in educational leadership and policy at OISE.

Research boosts

Our faculty are helping us solve difficult problems.

In March, OISE Professor Jeffrey Ansloos, alongside long-time collaborator Dr. Jennifer White of the University of Victoria, and Dr.  M. Murphy,  and a professor of history and women, and gender studies, won a grant to examine connections between extractive resource sector, suicide, and prevention in Indigenous communities.

Professor Fikile Nxumalo won significant federal funding to launch a project on climate-responsive school gardening in South Africa. OISE doctoral graduate Zahra Jafarova received the  prestigious Scholars at Risk (SAR) Network’s 2023-2024 Mellon/SAR Academic Freedom Fellowship to explore the dynamics of declining academic freedom in Turkey.

Honouring our own

At OISE, we took the time to thank our excellent faculty, students and staff.

On January 31, the OISE Young Alumni Council honoured Margaret Norrie McCain with its annual InspirED Award at a special luncheon. The award recognizes alumni and friends of the Institute who have made significant contributions to the education sector.

We honoured many of our staff with OISE awards of excellence, this spring. Among the winners include Vanessa Dane Kirkham and Denise Makovac co-won the Dr. Claire Alleyne Staff Excellence Award, Viel Tolentino won the Leadership Award, and Máiri McKenna Edwards, who won the Innovation Award.

Our faculty’s deditation to teaching excellence went above and beyond for their students, earning several of them prestigious awards of excellence. Professors Jeffrey Ansloos, Ann Lopez, lecturers Kara Dymond and Mary Drinkwater, and facilitator Gelareh Keshavarz were awarded in a ceremony this past spring.

Prior to Convocation, OISE doctoral grad Shezadi Khushal was been named a winner of the  for 2024, in the Emerging Leader category.

The award, part of the University of Toronto’s awards of excellence, recognizes exceptional contributions by administrative staff, librarians, faculty members, and students.

As well, graduates Jasmine Biloki, Yvonne Grace Chan, Shelly Khushal, Aakriti Mahajan, Harrison McNaughtan, and Krystina Raymond were ��������’s recipients of the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award for 2024 – they all exemplify outstanding leadership and were active leaders and volunteers at OISE.

In celebration of her effective doctoral dissertation, Dr. Lois Maplethorpe was named the 2024 winner of the Leithwood Award for OISE Outstanding Thesis of the Year. The Leithwood Award is presented to one recipient annually in recognition of exceptional, cutting-edge research conducted by an OISE student in the last phase of their doctoral work.

Gaining insight

Our researchers are gaining ground on difficult issues.

Researchers from OISE and the Umingmak Centre in Iqaluit, Nunavut released a report that provides insights into the experiences of caregivers of children involved in Family Services in Iqaluit, Nunavut, as well as recommendations for improving service delivery and quality of care.

Giving back

Our position to help our community execute its academic mission is more robust than ever.

To mark a century of commitment to inquiry-based learning and investment in the well-being of children, leadership unveiled the JICS Centennial Campaign. This campaign aims to raise $2 million to support the JICS Laboratory School Endowment – which provides critical resources to enhance economic diversity within the school. In celebration of the launch, Dr. Eric Jackman, the Institute’s namesake, made a landmark gift to the campaign, to support economic diversity and tuition support.

In the meantime, Dr. Peter Liu, , has donated a substantial gift to the OISE Mentorship Program. The gift, which creates the OISE Mentorship Award, solidifies the program’s ability to connect students, alumni and the larger alumni community.

Dr. Caroline Power established the Dr. Caroline Power Scholarship at OISE to support our students in financial need, which went into effect in fall 2024. Power’s scholarship gift will support under-represented students – Black students, Indigenous students, First-generation students, refugee students, and students registered with Accessibility Services.