Gender and Women’s Studies

Samantha’s research and teaching experience includes sociology and language revitalization as well as English as a Second Language teaching and academic writing.

After graduating from Simon Fraser University, Samantha gained first-hand experience as an international student while on the Japanese government MEXT program in Okinawa, Japan.

She completed her master’s in Linguistics and Communications and doctorate in Comparative Regional Culture and Area Studies at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan, and continues her Foundation for Endangered Languages (FEL)-sponsored research on language reclamation in Okinawan cultural arts.

Chris Rahim holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University (Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC), with a Graduate Diploma in Environment/Sustainability Education, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Community Economic Development (Concordia), Diplomas in The Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor Advocacy (George Brown), and Women’s Studies (Langara).

Her interdisciplinary research focuses on gender-based violence, incarceration, and social policy through intersectional feminist and decolonial frameworks. She examines how structural inequities, particularly those shaped by colonialism, race, gender, and socioeconomic status impact the lives of criminalized and marginalized women/LGBQT+ communities, in their efforts to rebuild lives following incarceration.

Chris uses qualitative and community-based research methodologies, including participatory action research, to center lived experience and challenge dominant knowledge systems. Her work contributes to decolonial frameworks and intersectional policy analysis, with the goal of informing more just and community-informed approaches to health, reintegration, and governance. She is also interested in the role of cultural storytelling and digital media as tools for decolonial healing, resistance, and systemic change.

Coming Soon

Julija (she/her, pronounced Yulia) Jeremic has been teaching communications and sociology courses at Alexander College since 2022. She has a doctoral degree from Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Education, department for Educational Technology and Learning Design and master’s degree in education from University of Belgrade, Serbia.

Dr. Jeremic worked with marginalized communities in Southeast Europe and Canada on building and strengthening their individual and organizational capacities, supporting people with disabilities and disability organizations, Roma people, 2SLGBTQAI+ youth, and seniors. She participated in media and public awareness campaigns as a designer and copywriter and contributed to local newspapers and newsletters.

Her research and teaching interest is the mutual impact of technology and society, in particular media and computer technologies. She is especially interested in the education of future technology developers and how to empower them to create socially conscious technologies. Julija has also explored the interaction of older adults with computer technologies and video games and supported them in creating short video stories about their life.

As a former student and youth activist, she is a lifelong supporter of social movements that build inclusive and just societies.