Student Research Spotlight - Jasmine El-Hacha
Jasmine El-Hacha is a Master of Arts student in the Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP) Program. After completing a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Calgary, she chose OISE because it offered the opportunity to study education beyond the classroom through examining the broader systems that shape students' experiences. Drawn to questions of educational equity, Jasmine saw the ELP program as an opportunity to better understand how policy can shape more just educational experiences for students of all ages.
As a recipient of both the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarship Master's (CGS-M) and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), she has been able to pursue research that explores pressing questions of educational equity while engaging in opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Jasmine's master's thesis examines how secondary school leaders enact restorative justice within schools in Southern Ontario, exploring both the possibilities and tensions of implementing restorative approaches within existing disciplinary systems. Through interviews with school leaders, her research investigates how restorative justice is interpreted, adapted, and sustained in practice, with particular attention to policy enactment and relational accountability. More broadly, her research interests revolve around the ways educational systems can advance equity, belonging, and student well-being.
Beyond her thesis, Jasmine has devoted much of her time at OISE to student leadership and governance. Through her involvement with the LHAE Departmental Students' Association, the OISE Graduate Students' Association, and as an elected member of OISE Council, she has worked alongside students and faculty to foster a vibrant academic community. These experiences shaped her understanding of leadership as a collaborative practice rooted in relationship-building and meaningful community engagement.
Outside of OISE, Jasmine has sought opportunities to connect educational research with public policy and professional practice. She recently began working as a Policy, Program, and Data Analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Student Achievement Division, where she supports policy development and program implementation. Prior to this role, she taught with the Toronto District School Board, allowing her to remain connected to students and classrooms while grounding her work in the everyday realities of public education.
Across her research, policy, teaching, and leadership experiences, Jasmine is driven by a commitment to ensuring that educational systems better serve young people, particularly those who have historically been marginalized. She hopes to continue building a career at the intersection of educational research, public policy, and systems leadership, advancing evidence-informed approaches that foster more equitable and inclusive learning environments for all.
