Colloquium: Beyhan Farhadi on Online Learning and the Politics of Access in Public Education

On the afternoon of February 27, 2026, join SJE for a colloquium featuring Dr. Beyhan Farhadi—Assistant Professor of Educational Policy and Equity in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education—as she discusses her recently published book Online Learning and the Politics of Access in Public Education (University of Toronto Press, 2026). The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. 

This work challenges the myth that online education can liberate learning from the constraints of traditional in-person schooling, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Farhadi examines the ethical, social, and political dimensions of online learning, including how the notion of “choice” can commodify public education and exacerbate inequalities. Drawing connections between the pandemic’s impact on schooling and the broader marketization of education, the book interrogates whether technology can genuinely address issues of quality, equity, and access in public education, while highlighting concerns around surveillance, privacy, and corporate influence. 

Event Details:

Date and time: Friday, February 27, 2026 from 3 - 5 PM

Hybrid Event: OISE Room 12-199 and Zoom. 

Refreshments will be provided to in-person attendees. Zoom link will be sent to all attendees. 

Register here to secure your spot! (https://forms.office.com/r/yLj9j16MpG)

This event is part of the Social Justice Education 2026 Colloquium Series, featuring talks from respected scholars. Check out the next event in the series: 

Mar 27, 2026: Dr. Nisrin Elamin on Land, Capital and Empire-making in Central Sudan