Laurier expert alert: International Women’s Day

March 7, 2023
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO — March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and raise awareness about the challenges women and girls continue to face. The United Nations theme of International Women’s Day 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”

The following list includes Laurier experts available to speak about International Women’s Day at this time, but does not represent the full breadth of expertise at our institution. For a more comprehensive inventory of our faculty researchers, please consult the Experts at Laurier database.

Tarah Brookfield, associate professor in the departments of History and Youth and Children’s Studies, is an expert on the history of women’s suffrage in Ontario, as well as the history of Canadian women’s political activism and child welfare work, particularly during the First World War, Second World War and Cold War. Contact: tbrookfield@wlu.ca

Maria DiCenzo, professor in Laurier’s Department of English and Film Studies, is a feminist media historian. She is available to comment on the historical dimensions of current issues around women's rights. DiCenzo’s research focuses on early women's movements before and after the First World War, with a special focus on the suffrage campaign in Britain. Contact: mdicenzo@wlu.ca

Shohini Ghose is a professor in the Department of Physics and Computer Science, the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering and the director of the Laurier Centre for Women in Science. An advocate for women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Ghose has spoken extensively about equity, diversity and inclusion in science. Contact: sghose@wlu.ca 

Stacey Hannem, a professor in the Department of Criminology, is an expert on the effects of crime and legal regulation on the lives of marginalized and vulnerable persons. She has just completed an international comparative study of the legal regulation of sex work in Canada, New Zealand and Nevada in the U.S. Hannem is currently studying women’s experiences of risk and safety in male-dominated music scenes, including heavy metal. Her most recent book (co-authored with Christopher J. Schneider) is Defining Sexual Misconduct: Media, Power and #MeToo. Contact: 519-755-2053 or shannem@wlu.ca

Ginette Lafreniere, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work, director of Laurier’s Social Innovation Research Group and director of the Manulife Centre for Community Health Research, is an expert on women and community engagement, as well as arts-based social development. Contact: glafreniere@wlu.ca

Allison McDonald, professor in Laurier’s Department of Biology, is an expert in bioenergetics. She is available to comment on issues facing women and people with disabilities in science, as well as science communication. Contact: amcdonald@wlu.ca