Concurrent Session 5

Wednesday, April 30
10:10–11:05 am ADT

Dalhousie Student Union Building, Dalhousie University

Room 303

10:05–11 am ADT

Fostering Belonging in Academic Spaces: Teaming up to Resist Imposterization
Interactive workshop (55 minute)
Elyana Matos (Acadia University) and Juan Carlos (Acadia University, Maple League of Universities)

  • Framing our own experiences navigating academic spaces as migrant scholars, we will argue that rather than having imposter syndrome, marginalized academics are being made imposters’ have been imposterized. We will discuss how to dismantle the barriers that keep marginalized people from fully participating in academic spaces. We advocate for recognizing such barriers by sharing our experiences - among ourselves as well as with others - and naming them for what they are. We propose the creation of focused groups and communities of practice, as well as inviting allies in the process of empowering marginalized learners and scholars and fostering their rightful sense of belonging in academic spaces.

    Keywords
    Imposterization, imposter syndrome, resistance, belonging

Room 224

10:05–11 am ADT

Bridging the Research-Education Gap in Higher Education
Conversation Circle (55 minutes)
Shawn Xiong, Sarah Wells, Leanne Stevens, Eda Ozsan, Jessica Latimer (Dalhousie University)

  • The divide between research and education in higher education institutions presents a growing challenge to knowledge dissemination and student learning. While researchers advance their fields through cutting-edge discoveries, educators often struggle to integrate these insights into teaching practices. This "research-practice gap" results in missed opportunities to enhance learning with the latest evidence-based methodologies. Despite efforts from institutions and teaching & learning centers worldwide, the gap persists due to systemic and individual challenges, including difficulties in translating research into practical applications and logistical constraints faced by instructors.

    Our conversation circle seeks to explore the complexities of the research-education divide and identify strategies to foster stronger connections between researchers, educators, and students. By examining key barriers and promoting collaboration, we aim to develop actionable solutions that bridge this gap, ultimately enriching student experiences and fostering a more dynamic, research-informed learning environment. As an outcome of this conversation, we intend to compile insights and key takeaways into a conference debriefing, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on integrating research and education. Through increased communication, empathy, and institutional support, higher education can move toward a more integrated and inclusive academic culture that values both research innovation and effective teaching.

    Keywords
    Research Education Gap, Community, Strategic Plan, Discussion

Room 307

10:05–11 am ADT

From AI as a Shortcut to AI as a Scaffold: Empowering Instructors to Enhance Writing Skills Through Feedback and Iterative Learning
Interactive workshop (55 minute)
Shafik Nanji and Lindsey Arnold (St. Francis Xavier University)

  • This interactive workshop explores the evolving role of generative AI in higher education, focusing on its potential to enhance writing skills through a process-oriented, scaffolded approach. It aims to address instructors’ concerns that AI use undermines critical thinking and writing-related learning outcomes. A brief presentation of current research will provide an understanding of the distinction between product- and process-oriented pedagogies and how these approaches influence AI’s role in education.

    Hands-on activities will demonstrate practical strategies for using AI to provide iterative feedback at various stages of the writing process, and facilitated discussion will inspire actionable ideas for implementing AI in participants’ own classrooms to enhance skill development and student engagement. By encouraging human-AI partnerships and enhancing feedback-rich communities of learning, the workshop promotes academic cultures of connection and inclusivity, aligning with broader efforts to nurture meaningful relationships in higher education.

    Keywords
    Generative AI; Process-Oriented Pedagogy; Writing Skills Development; Feedback and Iterative Learning; Higher Education Instruction

Room 270

10:05–10:30 am ADT

Complete the Cipher: Experiential Hip Hop from the Mount
Practice session (25 minutes)
Michael McGuire (Mount Saint Vincent University)

  • This practice session explores a dynamic collaboration between a university course, an art gallery, cultural archives, and an annual community festival, centering on Canadian hip hop culture as a vibrant expression of traditionally underserved communities. Through this interdisciplinary endeavour, students and community members had the opportunity to engage in experiential learning that bridged academic inquiry and cultural celebration. As students explored hip hop's artistic, historical, and social dimensions, the initiative fostered critical dialogue, creative expression, and reciprocal learning, showcasing the transformative potential of partnerships between educational institutions and cultural organizations. By integrating coursework with real-world experiences, the project emphasized the value of hip hop as a powerful cultural force and highlighted its contributions to identity and community-building, serving as a model for leveraging experiential learning to enrich education, celebrate diversity, and strengthen connections between academic and public communities.

    Keywords
    Experiential learning, Art Gallery, Archives, Community, Hip Hop

10:35–11 am ADT

Bridging Institutions and Communities: Lessons from 'Kitchen Wizards' a 15+ Year Program
Practice session (25 minutes)
Acacia Puddester, Jamal Amyoony, and Cayla Weiler (Acadia University)

  • This session will be a case study of a decade-plus long program shared between the university and its surrounding community. This session explores the impact of engaging students in a program, called Kitchen Wizards, where students use their education, implement their learnings, and build connections within their community and beyond their institution.  You will hear from three generations of leaders who have been involved in the program at different stages. They will offer unique perspectives shaped by their experiences during key transitions throughout the program’s evolution.  Attendees will discover how higher education can strengthen its relationship with local communities and be mutually beneficial. Discussion will allow you to share insights and ideas for how you can create and sustain community connections within your own institution. 

    Keywords
    Community-Service Learning  Relationship Building  Mutual Benefit  Ongoing Program Sustainability  Resilient Program Development