Student Spotlight
Meet the latest students in the spotlight
This initiative highlights CSA students' academic research, applied sociology work, activism and involvement in community engagement. You may nominate yourself and/or another student member. Selected nominees will be featured on our website, in our newsletter, and on our social media pages for up to one (1) year.
We recognize that all students have varying degrees of experience in both academic research and community engagement. Published profiles will highlight students in a way that best reflects individual work in each of these areas, based on the information provided.
Equity Statement
The Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) is committed to the values and principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. We recognize and honour the intersectionality of equity-based identities. The CSA therefore invites and encourages the nomination (including self-nomination) of members from marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as women, and/or 2SLGBTIQ+.
**Please note, while we are accepting all submissions, priority will be given to Black, Indigenous, and racialized students/graduates. Nominees must also be a CSA member in good standing to have work featured.
To have your efforts considered for inclusion in the next round of profiles, please fill out the following form. The committee plans additional rounds of profiles later in the year.
Terms and Conditions
- Self-nominations and nominations from faculty or peers are welcome.
- Nominated students must be a member of the Canadian Sociological Association in good standing.
- Nominees may be a university or college student at any level (BA, MA, PhD, or recently graduated).
- If selected, the nominee will be notified via email where they will be asked to confirm their profile information and given the opportunity to submit a photo (if desired) before the profile is made public.
- Profiles will be posted on the website for one year before being archived
Download the nomination instructions
Meet our Students in the Spotlight!
September 2026
Dowload the full September Student Spotlight Announcement
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Janaya DavisShe/Her Janaya’s academic work is situated in comparative historical sociology, centering on the intersections of state formation, war, and religion. Dedicated to postcolonial frameworks and recovering the contributions of historically overlooked scholars, her research brings a critical commitment to nuance when studying conflict and institutional power. She plans to pursue an MA and PhD in Sociology, wholeheartedly dedicating her life and work to critiquing state violence, systemic corruption, and institutional power. |
Nicole McNairThey/Them/Any Nicole’s PhD research examines the intersections of Indigenous motherhood, activism, and fear that emerge in the Community Hearings from the National Inquiry into MMIWG2SLGBTQIA+. Nicole engages in student advocacy work as the current Chair of the CSA Student Concerns Subcommittee. As a white settler with treaty responsibilities, Nicole’s research and advocacy work is influenced by settler colonial studies, decolonial frameworks, and both Indigenous and abolitionist feminisms. |
May 2026
Download the full May Student Spotlight Announcement
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Farinaz BasmechiPhD Candidate, University of Ottawa, Dept. of Feminist and Gender Studies Farinaz's research focuses on digital feminist activism, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and comparative analyses of sexual and gender- based violence (SGBV) policies in Canada & Iran. Farinaz is a researcher with the Digital Feminist Network, contributing to projects addressing online gender-based violence and she leads survey design initiatives. She has published on the Iranian #MeToo movement and has extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. |
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April 2026
Download the full April Student Spotlight Announcement
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Tichana AdamPhD Candidate, University of Windsor, Sociology & Criminology Dept. Tichana's research focuses on the state & politics, racial capitalism, settler colonialism & white supremacist movements. Drawing on decolonial, feminist & critical social theory, Tichana examines how white settler states actively reproduce & legitimize white supremacist movements through institutional/ political practices & selective enforcement. |
Jen KostuchukPhD student, University of Victoria, Sociology Dept. Jen's research focuses on the intersection between climate & labour justice, with a focus on the experiences of skilled trades workers in heat pump & solar panel installation. She investigates how these workers describe their motivations for entering (& staying in) these sectors, & the extent to which green jobs meet their objective material needs. Jen's work reveals a range of social, economic & personal benefits of green work that move beyond environmental concern. |
