Urban Spaces and Youth Vitality
The Youth, Identity, and Education (YIE) Research Group is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collective of researchers dedicated to advancing inclusive, justice-oriented research and practice.
Exploring Youth, Identity and Education in Urban Settings
Teaching and Learning in Urban Environment
Our research looks at the complex and often challenging realities of urban education. We explore the cultural assets, pedagogical innovations, and structural inequities that shape learning in racially and socioeconomically diverse urban settings.
Youth Community and Civic Engagement
We focus on the civic and community engagement practices of racialised youth and their efforts to enact social change in their communities. Through approaches like Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), we collaborate with young people as co-researchers to explore themes of identity, belonging, social justice, and civic agency.
Gender Experiences and Education
We examine how gender identities shape educational experiences and leadership opportunities. Our work explores the intersections of gender, race, class, and other identity markers, aiming to uncover the barriers that disproportionately affect girls and gender-diverse youth.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Nombuso Dlamini is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University. Her research interests lie in new approaches to youth political engagement and sociocultural engagements in urban development, especially youth contributions to city spaces and city life.
Dr. Godfred Boateng is an Assistant Professor at the School of Global Health, Director of the Global and Environmental Health Lab, a Canada Research Chair in Global Health and Humanitarianism, and a faculty fellow at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at York University, Toronto Canada.
Dr. Tannaz Zargarian is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, Community and Human Development at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Her current research is on multiply marginalized youth and spatial justice.
Dr. Cynthia Kwakyewah is a global sociologist and interdisciplinarian with expertise in the sociology of human rights, environmental and climate justice, civil society activism, spatial inequality, and social justice. Her research interests also include the sociology of youth, equity in education, and youth participatory action research.
Sonia Lewis is a Ph.D. student in the Faculty of Education, at York University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Summa Cum Laude), Bachelor of Educations, and a Master of Education. Sonia is a two-time recipient of the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRCC), a recipient of the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and a recipient of York University Graduate Entrance Scholarship. Her research has primarily focused on the experiences of Black female students in educational institutions.
Dr. Karen Naidoo is an adjunct professor in Caribbean Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research investigates how young Canadian-Caribbean people understand and respond to mental health services. She completed her post-doctoral research with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (COH) as a content developer, specializing in the dissemination of research knowledge on interventions that end or prevent the experience of homelessness for young people to policymakers and service providers. In addition, she is the cofounder and managing director of SOAR-Caribbean Inc., aimed at building linkages for educational institutions and community-based organizations operating in Grenada, Jamaica, and Guyana. Her international projects draw focus to the examination of transnational youth voices, mental health, and queer youth education.
Explore Our Latest Research Projects
Discover the latest in YIE Projects
Meet Our Partners
Here are some of our partners that we work along side to carry out our mission.
York University
The Faculty of Education at York University is a vibrant hub for innovative teaching, research, and community engagement. Committed to equity, diversity, and social justice, the Faculty prepares educators and scholars to lead in a rapidly changing world. With a focus on inclusive education, global perspectives, and transformative practices, York’s Faculty of Education empowers students to make meaningful contributions in classrooms, communities, and beyond.
Gashanti Young Women Initiative
Gashanti Young Women Initiative is a community-driven organization dedicated to empowering Somali girls and young women by fostering leadership, advocacy, and collective action. Rooted in the principles of representation, inclusion, and self-determination, we provide a space where young women can embrace their identities, amplify their voices, and engage in shaping their communities.
Our vision is clear: Somali girls and young women transforming the ways we connect in our community and beyond. We believe that by building strong networks, fostering dialogue, and equipping young women with the skills and confidence to lead, we can create lasting change.
At Gashanti, we operate from a deep commitment to solidarity, mentorship, and advocacy. Through initiatives that center civic engagement, storytelling, and leadership development, we challenge systemic barriers and create opportunities for Somali young women to champion the issues that matter to them.
Our mission is to create a collective space and voice with Somali girls and young women, where we can support each other, challenge societal norms, and realize our full potential. Whether through community programs, digital platforms, or advocacy efforts, we are dedicated to ensuring that Somali young women are seen, heard, and valued—in their communities, in Canada, and beyond.
Ghana Union of Canada
The Ghana Union of Canada (GUC) was established in 2020 and serves as the representative voice for Canada's Ghanaian community at the federal level. The organization unites and coordinates the broader interests and concerns of Ghanaian Canadian groups/individuals across the national, provincial, territorial, and local levels, advocating on federal government policies that impact the socio-economic and political life of the community.
As a national organization, GUC concentrates its efforts on three core pillars: Immigration, Settlement, and Integration. Through these pillars, the organization advocates for the needs of the community to the federal government, delivers programming that advances integration and civic engagement, and amplifies the perspectives of its constituents. The organization also collaborates with a range of partner organizations, including academic institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders, in addressing the needs of its members.
It also liaises with partner organizations – ranging from academic institutions, non-profit, business and other entities in serving the needs of its members.
GUC is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors that represents the 10 provinces and three territories. The Board is supported by an executive team and other special interest groups.
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