University of Toronto
Mathematics Department Equity Forum
The Equity Forum
was founded in 2021 following the resurgence of Black Lives
Matter movement in 2020 that gained momentum after the
horrifying murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade, and many others before them. It is
meant to be a place to learn and discuss how systems of oppression
(including anti-Black racism, settler colonialism & Western
imperialism, class discrimination, marginalisation on the axes of
gender and sexual orientation, ableism and elitism) produce
inequity and exclusion in mathematics communities, and how that
has led to mathematics sustaining injustice throughout the world.
We hope that audience members will use what they learn to
self-reflect on their own positionality, commit to undoing harm,
and move mathematics towards playing a role supporting struggles
of liberation and mutual care
(instead of working against them).
UPCOMING
PAST
December 5, 2023 - Prof.
Erica Walker, Dean of OISE, University of
Toronto
Title: Storytelling
for Mathematics Learning and Engagement
Abstract:
In this talk I share how
storytelling can be a wonderful tool for mathematics
education of people of all ages and interests. Based on 25
years of research and teaching and drawing on new results
from a study funded by the National Science Foundation, I
describe the importance of storytelling for learning rich
mathematics content, socializing people as mathematics
'doers', and contributing to the creation of welcoming,
inviting spaces for mathematics, within and beyond
schools.
Flyer: https://bit.ly/46E6b1T
(In Person/Hybrid)
October 31, 2023 - Prof. Tarik
Aougab, Haverford College
Title: Decolonizing in Mathematics
Abstract:
Does the above phrase have any meaning? We'll discuss
what would have to be true for the answer to be "yes", and
in particular we'll focus on Palestine and the idea of
academic boycott.
Flyer: https://bit.ly/aougab
Video Recording can be
found here.
Slides can be
found here.
(The above talk
was not approved of or paid for by the Chair's Office in
the mathematics department.)
October 24, 2023 - Dr. Kori Czuy, University
of Calgary
Title: Mathematics as Relative
Abstract:
When was the first time
you saw yourself/your culture in a math
classroom? Why is culture and the human often removed
from mathematics?
If students don't see themselves and have a connection
to mathematics, then how can we expect them to succeed
in the subject?
Let's explore mathematics relationally and reconnect
with the subject as a relative.
--
April 6, 2023 - Prof. Pamela Rose
Toulouse, York University
Title: What does a porcupine have to do
with Indigenous math anyway? And yes, this is the title of
this talk.
Abstract: This highly interactive
session focuses on Indigenous innovations and
relationships with land as the foundation for
mathematics pedagogy. Participants will be engaged
with new knowledge about the gifts of Indigenous
Nations and the wholistic approaches necessary for
reconciliation. We will learn that the porcupines'
contributions of quills is transformed by
Indigenous Craftspersons into a living artifact
that emulates both simple and complex math
concepts, principles and skills. And that is only
one example. Leave this session with a renewed
view of the possibilities of mathematics in
bridging intercultural understanding.
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Porcupine-Biodome.jpg
Source: https://www.whetung.com/collections/quillwork
Flyer:
https://bit.ly/3Kk3b38
March 23,
2023 - Dr. Belin Tsinnajinnie, WestEd
Title: An Imagining of the Future of Mathematics
Through an Indigenous Perspective
Abstract: This talk offers a general
reflection on the state of mathematics and
mathematics education research from an Indigenous
perspective. I'll briefly discuss ways in which
navigating mathematics and mathematics programs
entails for an Indigenous scholar and the extent to
which mathematics programs are inclusive of
Indigenous perspectives, values, and ways of
knowing. In large part, this talk will feel like a
live thought experiment, imagining what the future
of mathematics and mathematics education could be if
we were to center Indigenous voices, values, and
communities.
Flyer:
https://bit.ly/3yb1u0Y
--
November 17, 2022 - Hermie Monterde, University
of Manitoba
Title: The ABCs of SOGIESC
Abstract: SOGIESC is a
challenging concept for a great number of people. In this
talk, we will do a short introduction about this concept and
examine the nuances of SOGIESC categories. Our main focus is
to discuss the issues affecting SOGIESC diverse people, and
examine how these issues contribute to their continued
disenfranchisement in mathematics, academia and around the
world. We will also talk about concrete ways that could help
raise the equity, diversity and inclusion of SOGIESC diverse
people in our immediate communities.
Flyer: https://bit.ly/3fP20wc
*SOGIESC stands for Sexual
Orientation, Gender Expression and Identity, Sex
Characteristics
October 21, 2022 - Prof.
Noelle Sawyer, Southwestern University
Title:
Abstracting People out of Math
Abstract: Mathematicians love
discussing the beauty of math - its generalizations
and abstractions and detailed descriptions of
concepts. Yet, somehow, the same people who
gleefully learn about highly technical theorems
refuse to recognize and reckon with the way that
they treat colleagues and students. I plan for us to
talk about how math culture and community are
harmful to us and the ways that we are still
perpetuating the harm that was done to us. Most of
all I plan for the conversation to focus on and
remind ourselves that people will always be more
important than math.
Flyer: https://bit.ly/3VEmXtx
(In Person/Hybrid)
--
April 18, 2022 - Prof. Fiona Rawle
- University of Toronto
Title: Experiences
of Women in STEM in History & Now: Learning from history
to foster meaningful inclusion moving forward
Abstract: This talk will explore the experiences of women
in STEM through history to the present day in order to
learn how we can foster meaningful support and inclusion
moving forward. We'll look at past inclusion strategies
(some that have worked and some that haven't) to inform
actionable items we could be doing now to support women in
STEM. We'll explore narratives across disciplines, such as
from mathematics, medicine, engineering, and tech.
(organized by Prof.
Shubhangi Saraf)
March 31, 2022
- Prof.
Rochelle Gutiérrez, University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Rehumanizing
Mathematics: Restor(y)ing our Collective
Future
Abstract: The combined events of
the Black Lives Matter movement, climate
justice, trans and queer rights, Indigenous
land rights, global wars, and COVID have
opened the door for many people to question
what is happening in the world and what is
our place in it? This session supports
faculty and students to reflect on what is
considered "normal" in mathematics teaching
and learning and what it will take to
rehumanize mathematics. More than just
rethink the ways we teach, I will engage us
to reconsider mathematics itself and how it
can be in the service of connecting us with
each other and the natural world.
Flyer:
https://bit.ly/3ICdGKM
March 3, 2022 - Dr. Melania Alvarez, Pacific
Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Title: Narrowing the gaps: what does
that mean?
Abstract: Narrowing the gap
is mentioned many times in education
with regard to the difference in
academic performance between the
general population and a minority
group. What does narrowing the gap
really mean? From whom and from where
does it originate? I will be talking
about my experiences working with
different communities in Canada and
the United States, and challenges
members from these communities may
encounter given the educational
experience that is offered to them.
Flyer:
https://bit.ly/3JOoXsA
--
November 18, 2021 - Prof. Edward
Doolittle, First Nations University of Canada
Title: Indigenizing
Mathematics
Flyer: https://bit.ly/3cnFnJU
October 21, 2021 - Prof. Erica J. Graham,
Bryn Mawr
College
Title: Reenvisioning
Mathematics
Abstract: With
its history and perpetuated culture of
elitism, bias, and exclusion, big 'M'
Mathematics must undergo a radical
transformation to instill more inclusive
and equitable practices. In this talk, I
will discuss the role and responsibility
of the academic research community in
achieving the necessary transformation. I
will also propose that we reenvision what
Mathematics should be, with an intent
toward building a mathematical community
worthy of everyone.
Flyer: https://bit.ly/3lKN3LN
September
30, 2021 -
Prof. Florence Glanfield, University of Alberta
Title: I Didn't Think You People Could Do Math!
Abstract:
September 30, 2021 is the National Day
for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day it seems appropriate
for me to share my journey as a human being that identifies as
Métis and as a woman in the fields of mathematics and
mathematics education. I will share the ways in which my early
experiences in post secondary mathematics informed my work as a
secondary mathematics teacher, and continue to inform my work as
a university professor, researcher, and administrator.
Flyer:
https://bit.ly/3u4tRLn
--
March 12, 2021 - Prof.
Adriana Salerno, Bates
College
Title: Rehumanizing
a Mathematics Department
Abstract: In
this talk, I will share some of the
work I have been engaging with as
chair of the mathematics department at
Bates College to rehumanize our
program and change departmental norms.
In particular, I will share some of
the curricular changes at large and
smaller levels that we have been
working on, some of the challenges,
and how we're leveraging a large
institutional grant to further this
mission. I will also share some of the
common struggles within the Science
and Math division and beyond, and the
transformative potential of
collaborating across disciplines.
Flyer: https://bit.ly/2OmEjgC
February
19, 2021 - Prof.
Federico Ardila,
San Francisco State University
and Universidad
de los Andes
Title: Geometry, Robots, and
Society
Abstract: How do we move a robot efficiently from
one position to another? To answer this question, we
understand the map of all possible positions of the robot,
using techniques from geometry and combinatorics. We also
face important ethical questions that we cannot ignore:
What's the role of mathematicians and scientists in
building a more just and equitable society?
Flyer:
https://bit.ly/3jIckDn
February 5, 2021 - Prof. Aris
Winger, Georgia Gwinnett College
Title: Equity and Belonging in the
Mathematics Classroom: What you can implement immediately
Flyer: https://bit.ly/3cdDU9U