Dean's welcome and community update

Whether this September marks the beginning of your journey or the latest of many experiences at the Institute, it is my pleasure to welcome you to a new academic year at OISE. As Acting Dean, I want to share a few exciting updates with the community.

 

I am delighted to announce that four new postdoctoral fellows are joining our community on two-year fellowships. These fellowships have been awarded through highly competitive University of Toronto postdoctoral programs. I am pleased to welcome Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Itamar Manoff, Mishika Mehrotra, and Fati Osuman to the Institute. The Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Program is a prestigious opportunity for early-career scholars to develop and expand their research. I am equally pleased to announce that Jordan McVittie has secured a 2026 Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship and will join OISE later in the term. The Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides funding to increase opportunities for hiring postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented groups, specifically researchers who identify as Black and/or Indigenous.

 

After two decades of closure, the 5th floor rooftop has been transformed into the OISE Roof Community Garden and the IEN Social and Cultural Practice Space, complemented by a new interior lounge. At the recent opening, I had the pleasure to welcome members of the OISE community into those spaces, and to celebrate this landmark achievement for the Institute. I encourage you to visit and enjoy the atmosphere.

 

I am pleased to announce that Professor Megan Boler will be serving as Acting Chair of the Department of Social Justice Education from September 1 to October 31, 2026, while Professor Rubén Gaztambide-Fernández is on leave as Chair. Professor Boler has been a member of the OISE faculty since 2003, initially with the Department of Theory and Policy Studies, and with the Department of Social Justice Education since 2009. She served as Associate Chair of SJE in 2012-13, 2018-19, and 2025-26. Professor Boler is the Director of the Center for Media and Culture in Education at OISE, as well as affiliated faculty at university units including the Women’s and Gender Studies Institute, the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexuality and Diversity Studies, the Centre for the Study of the United States, and the Cinema Studies Institute. Please join me in welcoming Megan as Acting Chair of SJE.

 

As you may recall, the Ontario government's changes to initial teacher education, announced this spring, are focused on Bachelor of Education programs. Throughout the summer, we have continued to work with our graduate program leaders, University colleagues, and sector organizations to navigate the changing landscape of initial teacher education in Ontario. I will provide updates as details become available.

 

I would like to extend my gratitude to all faculty, staff, librarians, and students for the work you have done to prepare us for another academic year – from organizing orientation events and preparing courses to setting up new research projects and welcoming new colleagues and students. I wish you all a productive and rewarding year.