Black Research Network
The Black Research Network’s 2023/2024 IGNITE grant
October 22, 2023
The Black Research Network’s IGNITE grant is now open to applicants for the 2023/2024 academic year! The grant was established to provide small-scale funding – between $5K to $10K – towards professional development, research dissemination and other types of research support. Learn more and apply by Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Waiting to inhale: U of T researcher, Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, explores the link between cannabis laws and racial injustice
April 13, 2023
A new co-authored book by Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, an associate professor in the department of sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, examines how harsh cannabis laws have contributed to racial injustice – and how to repair the communities most affected. "Waiting to Inhale: Cannabis Legalization and the Fight for Racial Justice" illuminates how the war on drugs has disproportionally impacted Black and Indigenous communities in the United States through the stories of people who are on the front lines of advocacy.
With support of Connaught award, U of T researchers to tackle health disparities in Black communities
March 14, 2023
A new research project, which will receive $250k through the inaugural Connaught Major Research Challenge for Black Researchers, will support Black health equity research across U of T’s three campuses. “We have researchers across U of T doing excellent work, but much of it is being done in silos,” says Notisha Massaquoi, an assistant professor in the department of health and society at U of T Scarborough and member of the BRN who will lead the project.
Behind the scenes with the Black Research Network: Groundbreakers S2 Ep.2
October 13, 2022
How is the University of Toronto promoting Black research excellence and enhancing the research capacity of Black scholars across its tri-campus community?
Those are just some of the questions explored in season two, episode two of the Groundbreakers video series as host Ainka Jess goes behind the scenes with the founders of U of T’s Black Research Network.
From mapping stars to helping youth escape poverty, student researchers break new ground
October 5, 2022
Learn more about the work of student researchers supported by the DSI, the BRN and School of Cities.
What’s next for the Black Research Network? University Affairs profiles the growing initiative
March 24, 2022
The BRN seeks to enhance the research capacity of Black scholars at U of T through mentorship and pathways, funding and investment, collaboration and partnerships and research excellence.
The network represents “a big shift in terms of the university recognizing what’s been going on in the world … and really trying to talk about how we build toward a different today and a different future,” Beth Coleman, the network’s inaugural director, told University Affairs.
Efosa Obano and Suzanne Stewart recognized with Minister of Colleges and Universities’ Award of Excellence
February 22, 2022
University of Toronto Scarborough alumnus Efosa Obano, creator of the Black Founders Network, has received a Minister of Colleges and Universities’ Award of Excellence for his extraordinary contribution in supporting Black entrepreneurs and creating more Black-led businesses. “We’re just getting started in our mission to support aspiring and existing Black founders with community, capital and capacity […]
More homicides, fewer supports in Toronto’s predominantly Black neighbourhoods: U of T research
January 26, 2022
A new report and interactive map from The Centre for Research & Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims (the CRIB) provides insight into where homicides often happen, the factors that place Black communities at increased risk and the location of resources available to support those affected by homicide – including families and friends who are faced with the devastating challenge of grieving […]
AI, tech and social justice: U of T Groundbreakers EP4
January 17, 2022
What is the relationship between pollution and colonialism in Canada? How can AI and related technologies avoid perpetuating racism and gender bias? These are some of the questions explored in episode four of the Groundbreakers video series when host Ainka Jess speaks with researchers from two of the University of Toronto’s Institutional Strategic Initiatives: the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology […]
U of T’s Black Research Network to support Black scholarship and excellence
October 7, 2021
U of T’s Black Research Network to support Black scholarship and excellence (utoronto.ca) Scott Anderson Beth Coleman, an associate professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at U of T Mississauga, is the inaugural director of the Black Research Network (photo courtesy of Beth Coleman) A University of Toronto-wide initiative to support […]