Conference
The speakers
This symposium brings together a wide variety of people. These people work in community intervention, university research or the health and social services network. They come from all over the world, from Calgary to Montreal, from Paris to Stockholm. Find out more about the speakers who will be presenting.
Adnan Al Mhamied, PhD Candidate, Social Work School, McGill University
Adnan Al Mhamied is a PhD Candidate at the McGill School of Social Work. His dissertation is on the fathering experiences of Syrian refugee men resettled in Canada, he is a member of the Syria.lth research project, and he was a Research Associate with the Healing Together project of the Afghan Women's Association in Toronto.
Marc-Antoine Barré, Counsellor, Multicultural Centre of Quebec
Marc-Antoine Barré is a temporary immigration counsellor at the Multicultural Centre of Quebec. He is also a lecturer and doctoral student in social work at Laval University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in international development studies from McGill University, a Master's degree in social work from Laval University, and a Master's degree in anthropology from Laval University.
Nebila Jean-Claude Bationo, Ph.D. in Psychopedagogy, UQAT
Nebila Jean-Claude Bationo, Ph.D. in Psychopedagogy, is a research professional at UQAT and Université Laval. He is interested in child development, fatherhood, and the father-child relationship in contexts of change, notably immigration and intercultural relations. Masculinity and paternal identity among immigrant men in relation to their adaptation and involvement in their children's lives are also subjects he reflects upon. It is in this context that he coordinates the research project on designing workshops for immigrant men, as well as those who work with them, under the direction of Professor Bergheul.
Jean-Pierre Beauchamp, Social Worker and Trainer in Crisis Intervention for Men, PRAIDA, CIUSSS West-Central Montreal
Jean-Pierre Beauchamp has worked as a community organizer for 20 years. He is committed to developing resources for fathers.
Laurent Bélanger, PhD candidate, Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, UQO
Laurent Bélanger is a PhD candidate in psychology at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. His thesis focuses on evaluating the effects of the Parent Space program, an intervention aimed at supporting immigrant individuals in adapting to their parental role. Holding a Master's degree in psychology, Mr. Bélanger also works as a research assistant for the Center of Expertise on the Well-being and Physical Health Status of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CERDA).
Youssef Benzouine, PhD Candidate, Institut d'études religieuses, Université de Montréal
Youssef Benzouine is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the University of Montreal. Before starting his doctoral studies, he held the position of community organizer, dedicating himself to tenant rights advocacy. Alongside his doctoral studies, Mr. Benzouine serves as president of his student association and vice-president of the Montreal Intercultural Council. His academic and community commitments illustrate his dedication to research in Religious Studies as well as the promotion of rights and cultural diversity within the community.
Saïd Bergheul, Associate Professor, École de psychoéducation, UQAT
Saïd Bergheul is an associate professor at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). He has previously worked as a professor-researcher at several universities in North Africa, Europe, and North America. He has a strong intercultural background, and his research interests focus on immigration and the integration of immigrants into their host communities. Over the past few years, he has led several research projects on the adaptation of immigrant fathers upon their arrival in Quebec. He is currently conducting a study on the implementation and evaluation of a program aimed at immigrant fathers. He currently heads the Research Laboratory on Adaptation Difficulties and Psychosocial Intervention (LAREDAIP) at UQAT and supervises several students at the master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels on immigration-related issues.
Marie-Jeanne Blain, Researcher, InterActions Research and Knowledge Sharing Center and Adjunct Professor, Department of Anthropology, Université de Montréal
Marie-Jeanne Blain, a researcher at the InterActions Research and Knowledge Sharing Center and an associate professor in anthropology at the Université de Montréal, focuses on research related to immigration in Quebec. Her work centers on the socio-professional integration of immigrant and refugee populations, exploring integration trajectories and both formal and informal support resources. During her postdoctoral studies, she examined the implementation of employability programs for immigrants, with a particular interest in challenges related to service accessibility and practice adaptation. Her doctoral research addressed the integration trajectories of foreign-trained doctors, shedding light on the resources and strategies employed. Engaged in employability and frontline practices, she contributes to knowledge mobilization through training sessions and workshops for practitioners and managers, continuing her research in a qualitative and sensitive manner.
Monica Boquin, Community Engagement Manager, White Ribbon
Monica is a Community Engagement Manager at White Ribbon. She works to organize projects and build meaningful relationships to advance gender-based violence prevention and healthy masculinity initiatives. Monica is passionate about supporting women and working to eradicate gender-based violence. She has broad experience in managing and creating NGOs both in Canada and internationally. Before joining White Ribbon, she worked in creating different initiatives to support newcomers during their transition to Canada.
Marie-Laurence Bordeleau-Payer, Ph.D. in Sociology, Research Collaborator, UI SHERPA and Lecturer, UQO
Marie-Laurence Bordeleau-Payer is a sociologist, postdoctoral researcher in health sciences at UQO, and collaborating researcher at UI SHERPA. Her work is grounded in a psychosociological approach and focuses particularly on mental health issues within ethnocultural diversity.
Nabila Bouchala, Coordinator, Projet Pères immigrants, Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité
Nabila Aldjia Bouchala, PhD in Communications, is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology and the School of Media at UQAM. She is the author of several scientific articles on media sociology and digital media usage. She is interested in the question of the co-construction of identity among Maghrebi immigrants on digital social media platforms. Formerly, she was a research coordinator for a project on the Adaptation of community organizations' practices to the realities of immigrant fathers.
Lucio Castracani, Project Manager, SHERPA University Institute and Postdoctoral Fellow, Université de Sherbrooke
Lucio Castracani is a Ph.D. graduate in anthropology from the University of Montreal. His research focuses on international labor migration, various forms of commodification of migratory experiences, and agriculture. He is also a project manager for "Access to Care for Migrant Workers" at UI SHERPA.
Marianne Chbat, Sociologist and PhD in Applied Human Sciences, Université de Montréal
Sociologist and PhD in Applied Human Sciences from the University of Montreal, Marianne Chbat is a recipient of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC 2018-2020) fellowship and a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Social Work at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO). Having conducted research on the differentiated experiences of young gay and lesbian individuals from the Lebanese diaspora in Montreal, as well as on the identity articulations of mothers exercising violence, her varied research interests notably connect identity issues with gender, sexuality, motherhood, and ethnicity within an intersectional feminist perspective. Her ongoing postdoctoral research proposes a comparative analysis of social policies in Quebec, France, and Switzerland concerning the protections and recognitions of lesbian-parent families.
Nancy Clark, Director of social justice studies and Associate Professor, Faculty of Human and Social Development, School of Nursing at the University of Victoria
Dr. Nancy Clark is director of social justice studies and associate professor at the Faculty of Human and Social Development, School of Nursing at the University of Victoria. Dr. Clark is an affiliated researcher University of British Columbia, (UBC) Center for Migration Studies and Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH) UVic. Dr. Clark's reserach focuses on intersections of gender, forced migration, and mental health and health care equity
Faty Diambang, Social Integration Advisor, CARI St-Laurent
Faty Diambang is a social integration advisor at CARI Saint-Laurent. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, a Master's degree in Intercultural Mediation from the University of Sherbrooke, a university diploma in transcultural medicine and care, and a Master's degree in anthropology specializing in health, migration, and mediation, both obtained at the University of Bordeaux in France. Faty is passionate about intervention and intercultural relations in a migratory context.
Anaïs El Amraoui, Research Professional, SHERPA University Institute
Anaïs F. El-Amraoui holds a master's degree in criminology from the University of Montreal and a management diploma from HEC Montreal. She is currently a project manager at the IU SHERPA. She primarily works on research projects and partnerships with informal caregivers from minority ethnocultural communities and English-speaking backgrounds (PAGEMA) to improve the services offered to them. She has also worked on several projects related to intercultural practices, including intervention with immigrant men and inclusive practices in the community setting.
Berna Elias, Doctoral Candidate, School of Social Work, Université de Montréal
Berna Elias is a doctoral candidate at the School of Social Work, Université de Montréal. She has both local and international experience in supporting individuals with neurodiversity, their families, and the professionals who provide them with rehabilitation services. Berna's intervention focuses on the individual in interaction with their bio-psycho-socio-cultural environment, and her approach is grounded in anti-oppressive practices and clinical sociology. In her research, Berna is interested in bridging experiential knowledge, professional expertise, and scientific knowledge. She adopts participatory and partnership-based research methods to analyze the concepts of child-parent-professional partnerships in intervention, transcultural contexts, and parenting in immigration settings. She also has an interest in creating educational and intervention tools, as well as workshops aimed at promoting critical reflexivity and awareness of the challenges that can impact the helping relationship.
David Este, Professor Emeritus of Social Work, University of Calgary
David Este is a Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. Much of his research revolves around various aspects of the immigrant/refugee experience in Canada. He has focused on topics such as racism, the well-being of male immigrants in Canada, and the utilization of HIV/AIDS services by African newcomers in Calgary. He has been studying the issue of immigrant fathers for over 20 years.
Jorge Flores-Aranda, Professor, School of Social Work, UQAM
Jorge Flores-Aranda is a professor at the School of Social Work at the Université du Québec à Montréal. He is a regular researcher at the Institute on Addictions, the Research and Intervention on Psychoactive Substances - Quebec (RISQ) consortium, the Charles-Le Moyne Research Center - Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean on health innovations, and the Quebec Population Health Research Network. He is interested in the links between substance use and sexuality, social issues experienced by marginalized populations, including sexual and gender diversity individuals. He also explores the use of new technologies in social interventions. As part of his projects, he works closely with the practice community, particularly with community organizations.
Luz Garcia, Director of operations, 4korners
Luz Garcia, 4Korners' Director of Operations for over 3 years, is originally from Panama, giving the organization a diverse cultural background. With a distinct history of integration, Luz brings a fresh perspective to her work, contributing to the organization's inclusive approach.
Christine Gervais, Full Professor, Department of Nursing, UQO
Christine Gervais is a full professor in the Department of Nursing at the Université du Québec en Outaouais. As a researcher at the Sherpa University Institute and co-director of the Tout un Village research laboratory, her work focuses on family health in various contexts, including immigration. She also has an interest in the development and evaluation of interventions and programs for families.
Ahmed Hamila, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Université de Montréal
Ahmed Hamila is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Montreal. A specialist in international migration and gender/sexuality issues, his current work focuses on asylum policies related to sexual orientation and gender identity, access to healthcare for vulnerable migrant populations, and transnational solidarity. He has been a visiting researcher at several universities including the University of Victoria, Sciences Po Paris, and the University of Warwick, as well as a Queen Elisabeth Scholar and Wiener-Anspach fellow at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. His work has been published in Politique et sociétés, Gouvernement et action publique, Alterstice, Intervention, as well as in several reference collective works.
Jill Hanley, Scientific Director, SHERPA University Institute; Full Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University
Jill Hanley is a Professor in Social Work at McGill University and Scientific Director of UI SHERPA. Her research focuses on access to social rights, including health, housing, and employment, for migrants with precarious status. She is also a co-founder of the Immigrant Workers Centre, where she has been actively involved for over 20 years
Mahmudul Hassan, PhD Candidate, School of Social work, McGill University
Mahmudul Hassan is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Social Work at McGill University. As a social researcher and development practitioner, he has over 6 years of working experience in Asia, Europe, and North America. He earned his Bachelor of Social Sciences and Master of Social Sciences degrees in Social Welfare in 2013 & 2014, respectively at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Under the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship programme, funded by the European Union, Mahmud completed his 2nd master's degree in social work in 2020.
Stéphane Hernandez, Social Worker, Youth Mental Health program, CIUSSS-du-Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
Stéphane Hernandez is a social worker in the Youth Mental Health program at the CIUSSS-du-Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal and a practitioner-researcher at the SHERPA University Institute. Since 2014, he has also been collaborating on activities with the Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité (RVP) to raise awareness among family community organizations about the realities of immigrant fathers. He serves as an expert consultant in action research and practices adaptation for immigrant fathers (MIFI grant). He is the author of a book addressing the impact of immigration on men and their family experiences, published in 2007
Adriana Hernandez Sierra, community worker, INICI Center
Adriana Hernandez Sierra is an experienced social worker at the INICI Center, where she facilitates integration groups for male immigrants. With over 12 years of experience in immigrant aid centers, she has also served as an intercultural coordinator and employment counselor. For a decade, from 2012 to 2022, she successfully led the newcomer integration program in Verdun. Her expertise focuses on the integration of male immigrants.
Veronica Islas, Director, Carrefour de ressources en interculturel (CRIC)
Veronica Islas has been the director of CRIC since 2012, tasked with fulfilling the organization's mission and ensuring its visibility. With a master's in public policy and public administration from Concordia University, a graduate diploma in community economic development from the School of Community and Public Affairs, and another in journalism from Concordia University, she is a recipient of the Quebec National Assembly Medal and the PRIX Bravo from the CSSDM Board of Commissioners. With over 15 years in the community sector, previously at the Public Health Agency of Canada, as an immigrant, she aligns with CRIC's vision of fostering inclusion and intercultural engagement. She credits her university professors for shaping her sense of belonging in her new society and believes CRIC's support can similarly impact its users, aiming to assist immigrants as she was helped herself.
Danial Jamal, Student, School of Social Work, University of Calgary
Danial Jamal is a Pashtun undergraduate social work student at UCalgary, currently residing on the Traditional Lands of the Treaty Seven Territory. Danial helps out UCalgary's Faculty of Social Work in article writing and data organization for their domestic violence prevention research; engaging ethnocultural men as leaders of their communities.
Eloïse Jaumier, Master's student in Anthropology and Research Assistant, University of Montreal
Eloïse Jaumier is a Master's student in Anthropology and a research assistant at the University of Montreal. Her research focuses on the place given to work, including worker health, socio-professional integration processes among young people, and support resources in employability. As part of her Master's degree, she is interested in the effects of medical-administrative procedures on care practices surrounding occupational injuries.
Marie-Rosaire Kalanga Wa Tshisekedi, Specialized transcultural psychologist, founder of the organisation Baobab familial
To come
Badri Karki, Social worker
Badri Karki (he/ him) came from Nepal to Canada in 2013. He is a registered social worker and researcher, passionate in and committed to serving the community and individuals for positive change in their life. He has several years of direct and indirect social work experiences, including social work practice with individual and family, developmental disabilities, mental health, community social work, and research, both in Nepal and Canada. He completed MSW from Wilfrid Laurier University, Social Work Diploma from Bow Valley College, and MA (Rural Development) from Tribhuwan University, Nepal. He has extensive research experience in community action research, quantitative research and qualitative research. His main area of research is immigrants and their wellbeing in Canada. He also engaged in community advocacy, resource mobilization, community planning, and program evaluation and monitoring.
Kamal Khatiwada, Social worker and Coordinator, Transforming Field Education Landscape (TFEL), University of Calgary
Kamal is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and serves as a Training and Mentorship Coordinator in the Transforming Field Education Landscape (TFEL) project at the University of Calgary in the Faculty of Social Work. Kamal completed his Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Lethbridge and Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary. Kamal is a trained men's well-being facilitator and runs a group with the Nepali speaking Bhutanese men in Lethbridge, Alberta, which is a Treaty Seven territory, traditional land of Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai.
Mert Kimyaci, Master's Student, School of Social Work, McGill University and Research
As a dedicated Masters of Social Work candidate at McGill University, specializing in Health and Social Services, Mert Kimyaci brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional dedication to his research on immigration, diversity, and health. His work primarily explores the complex narratives of immigrant male perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence, a focus that also defines his independent study project. As an immigrant man, he navigates these issues not just academically but through the lens of lived experience, aiming to contribute to a deeper understanding and more effective interventions in these critical areas.
Tano Hubert Konan, PhD Candidate, Education Sciences, UQAT
Tano Hubert Konan is enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Education at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue. He has a strong background in demography and public administration, with a focus on program evaluation. His research interests center around immigration and the school engagement of immigrant fathers with their children. He is a member of the Laboratory for Research on Adaptation Difficulties and Psychosocial Intervention (LAREDAIP) at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue and works at the university's registrar's office. Additionally, he holds a position as a counselor for the international student community at UQAT.
Karamo Faruk Konneh, Research Assistant and Master's Student, University of Montreal
Karamo Faruk Konneh is a passionate young social-economic commentator and activist. He specializes in migration studies, and he has academic papers published on African migration. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University and a master's degree in migration studies from Ankara Social Sciences University. He is currently doing a second master in sociology at the University of Montreal, emphasizing political and organizational development.
Papa Ladjiike Diouf, Clinical services Manager, SALUS Ottawa. Clinical Supervisor, Saint-Paul University , Ottawa
Papa Ladjiké Diouf is of Senegalese-Canadian origin with two master's degrees in sociology and psychology, along with specialization certificates in various issues centered around trauma. He has worked as a psychotherapist for 14 years (8 years in Africa and 6 years in Canada), including 6 years as a clinical supervisor and trainer. He is currently Director of Clinical Services at SALUS Ottawa, while also working as a clinical supervisor at the University of Saint Paul in Ottawa. He has worked in diverse environments (Africa and Canada) and with various client populations (men, women, adolescents, couples, and families) on a range of issues (trauma, migration, depression, anxiety, sex workers, street children, addiction, and concurrent disorders, etc.). Currently, he is interested in immigrant clientele and their mental health and addiction challenges.
Daniella Landrys Fitiavanjanahary, PhD Candidate, UQAM
Daniella Landrys holds a master's degree in Sociological Studies and Research from the University of Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès. Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral studies in sociology at the University of Quebec in Montreal. Her research topic focuses on the effects of artificial intelligence usage on representation and diversity in video games. Daniella serves as a research assistant for the project "Adaptation of community organizations' practices to the realities of immigrant fathers." This project is conducted by the Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité (RVP), in collaboration with the Sherpa University Institute.
Annie LeBrun, psychologist, Polarization Clinic - CIUSSS West-Central
Montreal and Planning, Programming, and Research Officer, UI SHERPA
Annie LeBrun has been working as an intervenor in the Quebec health and social services network for over 15 years. She is currently a psychologist at the Polarization Clinic of the CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal and a Planning, Programming, and Research Officer at the SHERPA University Institute. She is a project manager for the development of training and tools for intercultural intervention, particularly for teams working with youth and families. She has been interested in this subject for many years; in fact, her doctoral thesis focused on intercultural intervention in youth centers.
Julie Ledoux, Director and Social Worker, Baobab familial
Julie Ledoux has been the Director of Baobab familial since March 2020, where she also serves as a social worker for families in Côte-des-Neiges since 2018. She holds a Master's degree in social work from UQÀM ("Mobilizing a Territorial Community in a Situation of Exclusion: Paths for the Development of New Communication Avenues" - 2019), and a Master's degree in French literature ("The 'Skinny Soul' of the Colocs: Irony and Social Critique in Engaged Quebecois Music" - 2011). Previously a journalist in arts and culture (VOIR, Bang Bang, CIBL, etc.) for a decade, Julie made a career change to contribute to social change and community development. She has also been a volunteer worker for the Canadian Red Cross since 2015. Julie currently works in Côte-des-Neiges, the neighborhood where she grew up.
Edward Ou Jin Lee, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Université de Montréal
Edward Ou Jin Lee is a professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Montreal. His research interests focus on access to healthcare, rights advocacy, activism, and knowledge construction with and about queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, other racialized persons (QTBIPOC), and migrants. Drawing on critical, participatory, community-based, and interventionist research methodologies, Ed aims to deepen understanding of peer-led initiatives, particularly by and for oppressed groups, including undocumented individuals, those experiencing homelessness, and people living with HIV. His interests also include research aimed at promoting anti-oppressive, anti-racist, reflexive, and decolonial social work, especially in the context of interventions during COVID-19. This includes grief intervention for individuals, families, and communities, particularly oppressed ones. Ed's pedagogical interests involve mobilizing critical, trauma-informed, inquiry-based, and mindfulness-focused pedagogies to facilitate transformative learning in social work education, including field training.
Laurence Lefebvre-Beaulieu, Liaison Officer and Trainer, Projet Pères immigrants, Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité
Laurence Lefebvre-Beaulieu is trained in intercultural mediation and currently coordinates a research-action project titled "Adaptation of community organizations' practices to the realities of immigrant fathers" within the Regroupement pour la Valorisation de la Paternité (RVP). Since 2017, she has worked in various organizations on the development of training and intervention tools on various topics related to immigration, interculturality, youth, and social perinatology. She notably coordinated the training "Intervening in the context of immigration and ethnocultural diversity" available on the provincial platform ENA (Digital Learning Environment).
Josiane Le Gall, In House Researcher, SHERPA University Institute and Adjunct Professor, Department of Anthropology, Université de Montréal
Josiane Le Gall is an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Montreal and an establishment researcher at the SHERPA University Institute. She is also a regular member of the Centre for Ethnic Studies at Montreal Universities (CEETUM). Her work focuses on transnational families and mixed families. In recent years, she has also been interested in healthcare practices and ethnic and religious diversity in hospital and community settings (perinatal care and end-of-life support).
Liza Lorenzetti, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Activist and member of Alberta Men’s network
Dr. Liza Lorenzetti is from Italian heritage, born in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal) and living in Mokhinistsis (Calgary), Treaty Seven. She lives in an intercultural and multilingual family with her partner Arya Boustani, from Iranian roots, and inspirational teen Parisa. As an activist-educator in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary, Liza’s teaching and research is informed by three decades of practice and activism as gender-based violence, wealth inequality, racism, and settler colonialism. She continues to work within the community to impact policies and practices, and strengthen the capacities of leaders, researchers, and students to advance social justice and well-being through an intersectional lens. As a white settler, Liza is committed to walking a path of learning and action towards Truth and Reconciliation.
Julio César Macario de Medeiros, Research Advisor, School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal
Since his arrival in Quebec in 2014, Julio César Macario de Medeiros has become the proud father of two daughters. Having completed a PhD in Psychoeducation at the University of Montreal, focusing on the father-child relationship, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, focusing on coparental collaboration, he now joins the research team of the Parenting Space Initiative as a research advisor.
Katherine Maurer, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, McGill University
Katherine Maurer PhD LMSW is an Associate Professor in the McGill School of Social Work. They obtained a PhD in Clinical Social Work at New York University Silver School of Social Work and practiced in New York City as a trauma therapist and clinical social worker with diverse marginalised populations. They are committed to challenging systemic oppression, racism, and promoting trauma-informed care in research and practice with adults and youth experiencing family violence, people experiencing homelessness, and within service provision systems.
Lisa Merry, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal
Lisa Merry is a nurse and is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Montreal and a regular researcher at the SHERPA University Institute. She is also the lead of the Global Health Axis, of the Quebec Population Health Research Network, funded by the FRQS. Her research primarily focuses on transnationalism and the psychosocial well-being of migrant parents during the perinatal and early-childhood periods.
Betty Millien, Early Childhood and families Program Manager, 4Korners
Betty Millien is the Early Childhood and Family Programs Manager at 4Korners and has been based at the Deux-Montagnes master office for over 5 years. With operations spanning the Laurentians, Betty brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Born in Canada to Haitian parents, Betty's upbringing has given her a unique perspective on integration, both personally and through the prism of her family. Although she didn't experience integration first-hand, Betty gleaned valuable information from her parents and her children's Haitian father, giving her a better understanding of cultural dynamics.
Nathaniel Mosseau, Researcher and Clinician, McGill University
Bio à venir
Marie-Rose Moro, Child Psychiatrist, Université de Paris Cité, Hôpital Cochin, Paris
Marie-Rose Moro is a medical doctor and human sciences scholar, as well as a psychoanalyst with training in anthropology. For 30 years, she has developed transcultural clinical practices and therapies that aim to adapt healthcare frameworks, techniques, and research methods in mental health to immigrant families and their children. Currently serving as the head of the Adolescent Department at Cochin Hospital (APHP), Maison de Solenn, she is an international leader in transcultural psychiatry for children, adolescents, and families.
Dr. Jun Naraval, Programs and Policy Manager, ActionDignity
Aurelio Camilo Naraval is a results-driven leader with extensive leadership experience in the areas of public health, policy change, and program management across various industries. He dedicated more than 25 years as a medical doctor and public health epidemiologist in the field of gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights. Prior to his current role as Programs and Policy Manager of ActionDignity, he was the Executive Director of an international organization for South and Southeast Asia and parts of Africa on reproductive health and population dynamics. He is known for his strong advocacy on gender and reproductive health rights. His pioneering research on “Filipino Men and Domestic Violence,” which is a first in the Philippines, led to a movement of men called "Men's Responsibilities in Gender and Development" advancing gender equality. This practice has since become a law in Davao City, Philippines.
Omaira Naweed, PhD Candidate, UQAM
Omaira Naweed is currently a doctoral student in psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal, where her thesis focuses on understanding the phenomenon of domestic violence within the immigrant population of South Asia. Her particular interest lies in exploring the perspective of men from this community regarding domestic violence. Her research aims to provide meaningful insights into this issue by examining the experiences, perceptions, and specific challenges that men from this population may face in the context of domestic violence.
Jean-Pierre Ndiamy, Counselor, Multiethnic Center of Quebec
Jean Pierre Ndiamy works as a support counselor for immigrant men at the Multiethnic Center of Quebec. Concurrently, he is conducting a doctoral research project on paternal engagement at Laval University in the department of educational practices and foundations, specializing in education administration and policies.
Thierry Nguiamba, Social Integration Counselor, CARI St-Laurent
Thierry Nguiamba has been a social integration counselor at CARI St-Laurent for over 5 years. He holds a master's degree in law and has always been drawn to aid relationships. Originally from Cameroon, he has been living in Quebec for over a decade and has over 10 years of professional experience in community action. He has been leading the Men's Space Committee at CARI St-Laurent, a platform for exchange, discussion, sharing of experiences, and speaking out for immigrant men since its creation in 2020. Social justice, equity, and social inclusion are the values he defends and shares.
Astou Niane, Social worker and Trainer in Crisis Intervention for Men, PRAIDA, CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal
Astou Niane holds a master's degree in social work with a specialization in ethnocultural approach. She has 10 years of experience in mental health.
Sylvie Pelletier, Researcher, Institute of Cooperation for Adult Education (ICÉA)
Sylvie Pelletier has been a researcher at the Institute of Cooperation for Adult Education since 2020. Trained as a historian, she taught for several years and later worked as a history consultant. She also holds a master's degree in public health, which led her to work on projects focusing on the effects of social inequalities on population health, particularly on the health of vulnerable groups.
Natalie Pouliot, General Manager, Coalition of Community Organizations for Workforce Development (COCDMO)
Trained as a lawyer, Natalie Pouliot began her professional career in a ministerial office as a political attaché. After becoming a member of the Barreau, she joined the ranks of a multidisciplinary law firm to begin a rich practice in labor and employment law. In 2011, she joined the ranks of a pioneering non-profit organization in foreign labor recruitment. As co-general director, she gained valuable experience in government relations at the local, national, and international levels. In May 2022, she decided to take on new challenges by assuming the position of general director of the Coalition of Community Organizations for Workforce Development.
Jean Ramdé, Full Professor, Université Laval
Jean Ramdé is a full professor at Laval University. He is a member of the Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec (OPPQ). Jean Ramdé is a regular researcher in research centers, including the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche sur l'Afrique et le Moyen-Orient (CIRAM), the Centre de recherche universitaire sur les jeunes et les familles (CRUJeF), and research teams such as the Équipe de recherche en partenariat sur la diversité culturelle et l'immigration dans la région de Québec (ÉDIQ). His current research focuses on the well-being and health of men, the psychological distress of international students in pandemic contexts, immigrant integration, paternal involvement in migratory contexts, and men's involvement in the health of mothers and children aged 0 to 5 in Burkina Faso.
Myriam Richard, PhD candidate, School of Social Work, Université de Montréal and Coordinator, Espace Intervenant
Myriam Richard has over 10 years of experience in research, training, and social intervention in the fields of immigration, refuge, and interculturality. Her work aims at a better understanding of the experiences of refugees and immigrants, as well as advocating for their rights from the perspective of the individuals concerned and the interveners who support them. It also aims at adapting intervention and research practices through action research projects focusing on intersectoral partnerships. Her doctoral thesis in social work mobilized transnational feminist, intersectional, and critical family studies approaches to study the experiences of separation and reunification of transnational refugee families in Quebec and elsewhere in the world.
Yannick Sanschagrin, M.Sc. in anthropology and Research Assistant, UQAT
Yannick Sanschagrin, M.Sc. in anthropology, specializes in economic anthropology focusing on complementary local currency (CLC) networks. He joined the team at the Laboratory for Research on Adaptation Difficulties and Psychosocial Intervention (LAREDAIP) as an intern for a study on immigrant fathers of Anglophone expression in Quebec.
Merling Sapene, M-Transition
Merling Sepene is a passionate and performance-driven Transformation Leader with over 15 years of experience delivering outstanding results and bringing innovation to complex business transformation projects. Leveraging her expertise, Ms. Sepene integrates people, processes, and technology, demonstrating a big-picture mindset and subject matter knowledge in developing and implementing employee programs. She excels in re-designing best practices and is recognized for her client-focused approach, boasting a solid reputation for credibility, ethics, and value-added interventions. Ms. Sepene is adept at influencing key stakeholders, facilitating team cohesion, and is known for her collaborative leadership style. As an empowering coach and mentor, she is committed to helping individuals grow and overcoming barriers. Ms. Sepene's enthusiasm, energy, and perseverance, coupled with superior communication and problem-solving skills, contribute to her success in driving positive and impactful transformations.
Jacqueline Schneider, In-House Researcher, CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal
Jacqueline Schneider holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Montreal. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Primary Care and Health Services. She is now an in-house researcher at the Shared Knowledge Research Center of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, focusing her research on perinatology and immigration
Dilyadav Singh, Coordinator, Men in Change Programs, MOSAIC, Colombie-Britanique
Dilyadav Singh, a dedicated social worker, is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. With an immigrant background and upbringing in a close-knit community, he advocates for diverse communities to thrive, drawing from a deep appreciation for social support and community resources. After earning his Bachelor of Social Work from City University of Hong Kong, Dilyadav began his career providing case management services to asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong. Since 2022, he has been a Coordinator at MOSAIC in Canada, advocating for equality and providing counseling support for immigrant men. Passionate about outdoor activities and exploring new cultures, Dilyadav's dedication to social justice drives positive change in his community.
Abu Saleh Mohammad, PhD Candidate, Social and Cultural Analysis, Concordia University
Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad is an FRQSC doctoral fellow on Social and Cultural Analysis at Concordia University. He has an MSc in Gender, Development and Globalisation from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a bachelor’s and master's degree in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Dhaka. He has been working as a faculty member in the Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka, since 2014.
Sarah Thomas, Master's Student, School of Social Work, York University
Sarah (she/her), born in Treaty Seven, land of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina and Îyâxe Nakoda Nations and Metis Region 3, is now living in Treaty 13, land of the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat while completing her Masters of Social Work at York University. Sarah is an emerging activist scholar, feminist, and aspiring ally for gender, race, and ani-colonial justice and reconciliation from Dutch heritage. Sarah has over 6 years of experience in community organizing and community-based research and her current areas of interest include knowledge mobilization, ethical relationship building, and mutual aid engagement.
Karine-Sophie Vandal, PhD Candidate, École de travail social, Université de Montréal
Karine-Sophie Vandal, a doctoral researcher, focuses her thesis project on various aspects related to mental illness among Haitian men. Her main objective is to describe the social representations surrounding this issue, analyze the coherence of intervention approaches with care needs, and define the influence of these representations on accessibility and help-seeking. Alongside her doctoral studies, Karine-Sophie holds the role of an adult mental health worker within the healthcare network. She is also an accredited trainer, providing training on men's health and well-being for other practitioners. Additionally, she volunteers with a community organization dedicated to men. Her professional and community involvement underscores her interest in mental health and her desire to contribute to improving services and the well-being of men, especially those within the Haitian community.
Kinda Wassef, Research Officer, Public Health Research Center, Université de Montréal
Kinda Wassef is a research officer at the Public Health Research Center at the University of Montreal. works for Mount Saint Vincent University as a research assistant for the project Puppy Philms. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health from Université de Montréal, with a major in health promotion and prevention. She is passionate about health equity and is particularly interested in mental health, sexual health, and harm reduction strategies for substance use in 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities.
Katarzyna Wojnicka, Associate Professor of Sociology and Lecturer at the Department of Sociology and Work Science and the Centre for European Research, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Katarzyna Wojnicka is also an Editor-in-chief for NORMA: International Journal for Masculinity Studies. Before joining the Department of Sociology and Work Science at the University of Gothenburg, she held postdoctoral researcher positions at several European universities: University of Leeds, UK; Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany and University of Gothenburg, Sweden. She also worked as a Project Manager at the DeZIM German Centre for Integration and Migration and at the Dissens Institute for Education and Research in Berlin, Germany. Her current scientific interests include critical studies on men and masculinities, migration and integration studies, social movements studies, and European studies. She is the author of over 60 scientific articles, book chapters, and reports and co-editor of three books. She has worked in over a dozen research projects focusing on gender and men and masculinities’ issues.
Josephine Pui-Hing Wong, Professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Co-PI & Toronto Co-Lead of the Strength in unity project- Men Speaking Out Against Stigma
Josephine Pui-Hing Wong boasts extensive expertise in critical public health and urban health, notably in crafting access and equity policies and spearheading large-scale health communication campaigns. She collaborates closely with marginalized communities to develop, implement, and assess capacity-building health promotion and empowerment programs. With a teaching approach that views students as active participants, Josephine focuses on community health nursing and people-centered urban health promotion, shedding light on historical and contemporary systemic injustices. She actively engages in establishing community-campus critical learning circles, fostering dialogue among stakeholders. Committed to social justice, her research prioritizes collaboration "with" affected communities to develop innovative solutions addressing health disparities and stigma reduction, particularly in Asian, Black, and Latinx communities in Canada and among university students in China. Currently, she leads rapid response research efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by various organizations including OHTN, CIHR, and PHAC.
