Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, York University, Canada Kinnon R. MacKinnon, MSW, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at York University. Prior to joining YorkU, he completed a PhD in Public Health Sciences at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, along with fellowships in health professions education research (The Wilson Centre, Temerty Faculty of Medicine) and in the social determinants of health (Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy). Dr. MacKinnon’s program of community-engaged scholarship examines how gender-diverse people access and experience gender-affirming healthcare. More recently, he has been examining sexual and gender minority identity fluidity, and care needs associated with discontinuing gender-related medical interventions. Dr. MacKinnon has published over 40 peer-reviewed academic papers and book chapters, including in the British Journal of Social Work, the British Medical Journal, Critical Public Health, Social Science and Medicine, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. His practice background includes support group facilitation in the areas of gender-affirming surgery, queer/trans youth, and body image/eating disorders. In 2022, he was recognized by York University with a Research Leaders award.
Professor of Agroecology, Florida International University Krishnaswamy Jayachandran is a soil microbiologist/soil scientist by training. He has co-founded the Agroecology Program through significant funding from USDA to promote education, research, training and outreach activities for students pipelining and capacity building. He enjoys teaching soils and ecosystems, advanced soil resources analysis, agroecology, soil microbiology, soil biology and ecology of South Florida. Research Areas His research expertise are on studying soil physical, chemical and biological properties in relation to nutrient cycling and soil quality in wetland and upland systems. Utilizing microbiology as a central tool, we conduct research on microbial structural and functional diversity by traditional and molecular approaches, environmental influence on microbes structure and function, pesticides fate and transport, apply enrichment techniques to isolate and characterize pesticides degrading microbes, biodegradation processes in soil and water. For the past few years, our laboratory is working on developing novel biological control strategies for the management of invasive exotic plant species in South Florida. In another novel project, we hypothesized to mitigate freshwater toxins as well as marine toxins by applying microbiological techniques. Our group also involved in biological energy production such as biodiesel and hydrogen through plants and microorganisms. His old expertise on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, their interactions with plants, and significant role in conservation/restoration measures for natural and agricultural systems continues.
Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, Queen's University, Ontario Dr. Timmons is an Associate Professor and Graduate Faculty Member in Early Childhood Education at the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University. Dr. Timmons completed her MA in Child Study and Education at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, University of Toronto and her PhD in Developmental Psychology and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (UofT). Dr. Timmons’ teaching experience spans the early years, elementary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Her research interests centre on the processes that influence young children’s learning, engagement, and self-regulation. Within this focus, she has carried out research with children, families, and pre- and in- service educators. Dr. Timmons is also an Associate Faculty Member of the Assessment and Evaluation Group (AEG) at Queen’s University. AEG faculty members and graduate students engage in independent and collaborative research, program reviews and consulting. Research Interests Building capacity in the early years through improved policies and practices Advancing equitable access, experiences, and outcomes in early childhood education Improving understanding of self-regulation and self-regulation assessment practice Educator expectations, beliefs, and practices Play-based learning Experience
Assistant Professor of Gerontological Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington Dr. Kathy Lee, a scholar and educator in gerontological social work, is committed to advancing research that fosters healthier and more equitable communities for vulnerable and marginalized older adults. Her primary focus lies in exploring innovative and non-pharmacological interventions for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, as well as providing support for their family caregivers. Dr. Lee's research extends to identifying health disparities within aging populations, with a particular emphasis on underrepresented groups.
PhD Candidate, Digital Humanities & Media Studies, University of Alberta Kenzie Gordon (she/her) is a social worker and PhD candidate in Digital Humanities and Media & Cultural Studies at the University of Alberta on Treaty 6 territory. She is the Project Manager for The First Three Years (https://first3yearsproject.com/), a longitudinal study of new graduates from postsecondary games programs entering the industry in Canada and the United States. Her research spans equity issues in games and game education, and the intersections of gender-based violence and video games.
Associate Professor of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Athabasca University I am a community engaged researcher interested in how people work collectively and what learning looks like in these spaces. I look at issues in relation to Canadian affordable housing and experiences of transnational solidarity.
