Allyship: Strategies and Actions
Research on allyship demonstrates that active allyship of dominant groups in support of marginalized groups has a significant impact on shifting the power dynamics to disrupt systemic structures and improve the status of disadvantaged groups in various social, academic, political, and economic contexts. In this 1.5-hour online workshop, participants will be introduced to the concept of allyship in relation to one’s privilege and positionality and the intersections of one’s identities.
This session will critically explore the categories of motivations for inclusive allyship in various contexts and the steps of an ongoing journey for developing the characteristics of a meaningful allyship rather than performative allyship. Participants will be introduced to the coin model for privilege and critical allyship and will participate in a discussion on how to exercise their allyship agency in relation to their privilege and professional role in the workplace. Additional resources will also be provided to complement your learning.
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Knowledge Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Duration
90 minutes with a break
Audience
Open to campus community: students, senior/executive leaders, faculty, and staff
As someone who belongs to a dominant group, I feel like I have gained confidence in my abilities to use my privilege to help break down systemic barriers.
Workshop Participant
Concepts
At the end of this course, participants will:
- Be familiar with the allyship journey in relation to privilege, positionality and intersectionality of identity.
- Explore the coin model for privilege and critical allyship.
- Increase their understanding of strategies and actions of inclusive allyship.
- Increase their understanding of critical allyship in the workplace.
Facilitator
Dr. Ghada Sfeir (she/her/elle)
Dr. Ghada Sfeir is the Senior Advisor for Anti-Racism and Racial Equity at the University of Calgary's Office of EDI. With a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies, her work centers on Cosmopolitanism, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice. She advocates for EDI principles, decolonization, and anti-racism to dismantle systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups. Previously at Concordia University, she taught from a social justice perspective and co-edited a special issue promoting cosmopolitan pathways for diversity in Canada.
Course Prerequisites
Please review the recommended prerequisites below so that you can get the most from the workshop. Reviewing this material in advance will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions, ask informed questions, and fully participate.
It’s our collective responsibility to create a more equitable and inclusive UCaglary and we all have an important role to play by learning and unlearning.
Dr. Malinda S. Smith, PhD
Vice Provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Associate Vice-President Research (EDI)