Women's, Gender and Social Justice

Undergraduate Co-Recipients (alphabetical order)

Recipient: Alison Baird (any pronouns)

Alison is a passionate community cultivator and advocate who has translated their commitment to equity, community, and social justice into sustained and meaningful contributions to their campus community. As described by their nominator, Katy Fulfer, Alison’s unwavering dedication to the Gender and Social Justice Student Society, and the program more broadly, has fostered connection, belonging, and collective growth through both visible leadership and the often-unseen work that is the heart and soul of a vibrant and inclusive community. Equally accomplished in their academic work, Alison approaches complex ideas with nuance and creativity, thoughtfully connecting theory, practice, and creative works in her class assignments. The Women, Gender, and Social Justice Association celebrates Alison for their fierce advocacy, their commitment to developing a strong and enduring sense of community on campus, and their dedication to academic engagement.

Nominator: Katy Fulfer, Associate Professor, Gender and Social Justice, University of Waterloo

Recipient: Nick Lundrigan (they/them)

Through a distinctive combination of intellectual rigor, creativity, and commitment to community, Nick exemplifies an inclusive community-builder and scholar. Their nominator, Laura Robinson, highlights how Nick’s scholarly work brings thoughtful attention to underrepresented voices and perspectives by engaging in scholarly inquiry such as queer readings of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz that reflect a capacity for original thought alongside a desire to advance belonging through research. Equally dedicated to community, Nick has enriched community life through their leadership on and off campus, including directing and dancing with the Acadia Dance Collective in ways that actively created inclusive and affirming performance spaces for all abilities and body types. The Women, Gender, and Social Justice Association celebrates Nick for their academic achievements and generous and sustained contributions to the many communities with which they engage.

Nominator: Laura Robinson, Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies, Acadia University

Recipient: Olivia Parker (she/her)

Olivia’s work exemplifies the power and importance of artful inquiry and creative engagement. Her nominator, Claire Carter, noted how Olivia went far beyond the expectations of a course assignment, to create a richly detailed work of art accompanied by a reflection that meaningfully integrated her experience of Queering the Queen City walking tour with ideas and insights developed through class. As a result, Olivia’s assignment demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and a genuine commitment to learning while also reminding all of us of the impact and significance of combining artistic expression with thoughtful self-reflection. The Women, Gender, and Social Justice Association celebrates Olivia for her genuine commitment to creative risk-taking, intellectual curiosity, and meaningful integration of classroom learning.

Nominator:  Claire Carter, Professor, Department of Gender, Religion, and Critical Studies, University of Regina

Graduate Co-Recipients (alphabetical order)

Recipient: Sophie Harms (she/her)

Having completed a Master’s thesis in Interdisciplinary Studies on representations of abortion, Sophie has distinguished herself as an exceptional scholar-activist. As noted by her nominator, Heather Latimar, Sophie’s thesis passed with no revisions–a rare achievement reflecting the originality, rigour, and significance of her work that directly challenges the assumption that abortion is a negative and traumatic experience. Beyond her academic accomplishments, Sophie has made substantial contributions to the reproductive justice movement through workshop and campaign organizing, volunteer work with local organizations, and courageous public advocacy, including successfully challenging anti-abortion billboards in and around Kelowna as well as fundraising for a campaign to destigmatize abortion in the Okanagan. The Women, Gender, and Social Justice Association celebrates Sophie for her intellectual contributions to the field of abortion politics and her dedication to connecting scholarly inquiry with community engagement and activism.

Nominator: Heather Latimer, Assistant Professor, Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, UBC Okanagan

Recipient: Navarra Houldin (they/them)

Navarra reflects all the defining characteristics of an innovative transdisciplinary scholar bringing together nuanced theoretical insights with technical expertise to produce cutting-edge research at the intersection of feminist theory, porn studies, and digital humanities. In the words of their nominator, PB Berge, Navarra is an exceptional emerging scholar, media maker, and leader whose work bridges theory and practice, offering both scholarly insights and actionable solutions. Beyond their own academic work, Navarra advances feminist praxis through sustained advocacy for accessible physical and digital spaces both on and off campus, not only articulating visions of greater equity but actively challenging entrenched traditions of exclusion literature and technology. The Women, Gender, and Social Justice Association celebrates Navarra’s deep commitment to advancing accessibility across physical and digital spaces through their intellectual curiosity and rigour, advanced technical skills, and their dedication to community leadership. Nominator: PB Berge, Assistant Professor, Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Alberta