Echoes from the Margins: Voices Reshaping Higher Education
Echoes from the Margins: Voices Reshaping Higher Education is a podcast developed by, and for, educators and learners looking to incorporate principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Accessibility (EDIDA) into their classroom, lab, and professional spaces. As we respond to an ever-changing postsecondary landscape, it is crucial that learners and educators alike feel represented and supported on and beyond campus. This podcast serves as a Community of Practice to amplify current initiatives promoting a sense of belonging and inclusion within education. Tune in to each episode to learn more about educators, researchers, students, and leaders who have reshaped curriculum development and student support. Beyond impact, you’ll get a chance to hear thoughtful and honest conversations about teaching, learning, and navigating academic life. Co-hosted by Dr. Oana Birceanu, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and Preetama Badyal, a MSc graduate from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. Supported by Schulich Educational Media Technology Services (ETMS). Funding for the podcast has been provided by Western University BrainsCAN and it is part of a project titled “Rethinking Representation: Tools to Address Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDI-D) Barriers in Undergraduate and Graduate Education”.
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Diversifying the Classroom: Intercultural and Decolonial Teaching with Aisha Haque
04/08/2026
Diversifying the Classroom: Intercultural and Decolonial Teaching with Aisha Haque
Diversity is crucial in higher education. Bringing together various lived experiences, perspectives, and knowledge is how we evolve our understanding of the world around us and create initiatives that support a wide variety of folks on campus. However, this is a big concept, and it can be difficult to grapple with at times. Where do we even start when it comes to bridging understanding across cultures? How do we support students, specifically international students, in this journey of unpacking the “hidden” curriculum? In this episode, we sit with Aisha Haque, Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at Western University, for a powerful and deeply reflective conversation about belonging, unlearning, and what it truly means to transform education. We dive into the heart of intercultural and decolonial teaching and what it looks like to move beyond simply delivering content toward building meaningful relationships in the classroom. Aisha highlights some key resources for educators both within and outside of the CTL, including her , , and so much more. If you’re an educator, student, or simply someone curious about how higher education can better reflect the diverse communities it serves, this episode invites you to reflect alongside us. We hope it encourages you to start somewhere, small, intentional, and in community, as we continue the ongoing journey of learning, unlearning, and reshaping our classrooms for belonging and equity. Send Us Feedback: Keywords: Higher Education; Intercultural Teaching; Belonging; Curriculum Design; Student Engagement; EDI-D; EDIDA; Center for Teaching and Learning; Decolonization TImestamps (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement 00:05:16 - Guest Introduction 00:06:32 - Welcome Aisha Haque! 00:06:53 - Aisha's Path to Higher Education 00:12:52 - What is the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL)? What do they do? 00:17:47 - Collaborating with Different Faculties and Departments 00:20:28 - Collaborating with Campus Partners (e.g., Western Libraries) 00:22:27 - The Intercultural Teaching Landscape 00:24:24 - How To: Incorporating Intercultural Teaching Frameworks 00:29:38 - Decolonizing and Unlearning 00:34:27 - How Does Change Happen? 00:37:44 - Pressures and Expectations as Learners and Educators (and more unlearning) 00:41:19 - Supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) 00:43:50 - Student Engagement, Expectations, and Feedback 00:49:39 - Decolonial and Anti-Racist Approaches in Curriculum 00:57:39 - Planning and Implementing Curriculum Change Research 01:00:32 - Supporting International Graduate Students 01:07:09 - Measuring Impact of Intercultural, Anti-Racist, and Decolonial Practices 01:08:43 - Reflecting Change in IQAP (Institutional Quality Assurance Practices) 01:11:49 - Where is the CTL Headed? 01:13:43 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s) 01:18:44 - If You Had a Magic Wand... 01:20:49 - Staying Connected with the CTL, and Exciting Projects! 01:22:17 - Our Reflections 01:29:35 - Outro Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading/Exploration) 00:00:53 - (from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, created by Sara Mai Chitty): , Written by: Shaowda Salehin in 2021, 4th Year Honours Double Major in English and Biology 00:05:16 - Aisha Haque’s 00:12:52 - (CTL) 00:14:08 - , CTL Resources Includes: Values-Driven Conversations About GenAI (mentioned later in the episode) Includes: Self-Paced Module for GenAI (mentioned later in the episode) GenAI Conference in June (mentioned later in the episode) 00:14:16 - (SoTL) 00:14:48 - The (IQAP) 00:15:50 - Educational Leadership; at the CTL Shoutout to Sarah MacLean, Nicole Campbell, Charys Martin, and for their work on their projects! 00:16:21 - The 00:18:57 - (National Webinars) Additional Reading: 00:21:10 - Western Libraries (and partnership with CTL, ) 00:21:48 - (WTS) (ITRC) 00:23:23 - 00:23:44 - Truth and Reconciliation Commission - 00:24:27 - Intercultural Learning, and Aisha’s 00:33:45 - The late 00:41:37 - Aisha’s Work in 00:50:10 - 00:51:02 - 00:52:32 - #WhyisMyCurriculumWhite Movement Video 1: Video 2: 00:55:02 - 00:56:52 - 00:57:14 - Dr. Anita Woods, Diverse Representation in Medicine () 00:57:55 - (Resource Website) 00:59:20 - (interviews/focus groups) 01:01:38 - 01:06:06 - (one example of current evidence) 01:09:04 - IQAP Resource, 01:12:28 - 01:13:16 - 01:21:05 - Staying Connected: Stay tuned for a 01:21:45 - 01:22:43 - Audio Recording and Production This episode was recorded on , hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS) Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu Thank you to the support of the team at for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion. Intro and Outro Music Sourced from Pixabay, “” by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.
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Indigenous and Decolonial Approaches to Curriculum: Learnings from Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige
03/06/2026
Indigenous and Decolonial Approaches to Curriculum: Learnings from Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige
Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige is Mushkego Cree of Petabeck First Nation in Treaty 9 with mixed Cree and French lineage. She is a community member, Indigenous scholar, and at the time of release, an Assistant Professor at the School of Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University. We were incredibly fortunate to have Candace as part of our Western University community for over a decade, where she supported the creation of the and the development of integral learning opportunities such as the and the We had a chance to sit down with Candace to learn more about her journey and experiences across the many roles she has held, alongside her insights on Indigenous and decolonial approaches to education. We know efforts towards decolonization and Indigenization have been a priority area for institutions across Canada, particularly following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report in 2015. But what does it actually look like in practice? How do we take steps towards building genuine, intentional relationships with community to ensure this work is beneficial? How does all of this fit into the Eurocentric westernized model of education many of us are accustomed to? If you find yourself faced with these questions and have a genuine interest to learn, you’re in the right place. Tune in to this episode to reflect, unlearn, and reimagine what teaching and learning can look like when Indigenous sovereignty, knowledge, and belonging are truly honoured and prioritized, and how you can meaningfully take part in these processes. We would like to extend a huge thank you and our gratitude to Candace for gifting us this knowledge and for all the ways that she has supported our campus community. Remembering Dr. Lillian McGregor, mentioned in this episode: Dr. Lillian McGregor (1924-2012) of Whitefish River First Nation was the first Elder-in-Residence at the University of Toronto First Nation House, and a strong community leader. Visit , in Toronto, ON. Send Us Feedback: Keywords: Higher Education; EDI-D; Decolonization; Indigenization; Inclusion; Educational Sovereignty; Truth and Reconciliation; Curriculum Development; Learning Bundles; Community-Based Learning; Community Engaged Learning TImestamps (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:00:53 - Land Acknowledgement 00:04:10 - Guest Introduction 00:05:21 - Welcome Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige! 00:06:40 - Candace's Time at Western University 00:13:14 - Candace’s Path to Higher Education 00:27:01 - The Indigenous Teaching and Learning Series 00:33:52 - The Indigenous Learning Bundles 00:42:59 - Implementing the Bundles in Collaboration with Non-Indigenous Faculty 01:12:24 - Building Relationships with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers 01:18:04 - Mobilizing Decolonization Efforts (e.g., in Meetings, or Committees) 01:25:55 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s) 01:31:30 - If You Had a Magic Wand... 01:35:58 - To Learn More...Check These Out (decolonialfutures.net) 01:40:22 - Poem, “Reconciliation” by Rebeka Tabobondung 01:41:37 - Outro Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading) 00:00:53 - 00:01:26 - Definitions of Decolonization and Indigenization (in the words of Albert Marshall, Mi’kmaq Elder) 00:04:10 - Welcome ! (see her current biography, including her broader publication profile) 00:08:45 - 00:09:43 - 00:10:45 - 00:11:17 - Candace’s PhD Dissertation, “” Her learnings and work have also been translated into a book, “Tricky Grounds: Indigenous Women’s Experiences in Canadian University Administration” () 00:11:38 - 00:11:53 - 00:19:08 - 00:27:01 - Additional at Western 00:27:50 - Center for Teaching and Learning Learn more about 00:28:06 - (previous news report) , Acting Vice-President (Research), also Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic) 00:29:55 - , Current Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning 00:30:09 - Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy Advisor (previously held by Sara Mai Chitty). Check out the podcast she contributed to our campus community, 00:33:52 - More details on support available when completing the Bundles can be found on this site, including the Community of Practice Candace mentions. 00:35:13 - , stewarded by Dr. Kahente Horn-Miller 00:35:45 - (Director, Indigenous Engagement and Wampum Learning Lodge) 00:39:19 - Articles on The Bundles (2025 – Collaboration with Kahente Horn-Miller and Sara Mai Chitty) (2025 - Collaboration with Rosemary Vito, Social Work Faculty) At the time of episode release, the third article is still in press, but keep an eye out for its publication! 00:44:44 - , Knowledge Keeper 00:50:42 - Bias in Student Evaluations (the importance of thinking critically about where bias may present itself in these mediums, and how we can support faculty accordingly) 00:53:56 - (Western’s Website) 00:58:53 - 01:08:04 - ’s Book, “” 01:27:05 - at Laurentian University 01:33:53 - 01:36:36 - (decolonialfutures.net) and 01:37:06 - (burnoutfromhumans.net) 01:40:12 A gift from Candace. (also pasted below): We are waking up to our history from a forced slumber We are breathing it into our lungs so it will be part of us again It will make us angry at first because we will see how much you stole from us and for how long you watched us suffer we will see how you see us and how when we copied your ways we killed our own. We will cry and cry and cry because we can never be the same again But we will go home to cry and we will see ourselves in this huge mess and we will gently whisper the circle back and it will be old and it will be new Then we will breathe our history back to you you will feel how strong and alive it is and you will feel yourself become a part of it And it will shock you at first because it is too big to see all at once and you won't want to believe it you will see how you see us and all the disaster in your ways how much we lost And you will cry and cry and cry because we can never be the same again But we will cry with you and we will see ourselves in this huge mess and we will gently whisper the circle back| and it will be old and it will be new. Audio Recording and Production This episode was recorded on , hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS). Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu Thank you to the support of the team at for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion. Intro and Outro Music Sourced from Pixabay, “” by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.
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From Classroom to Community, and Leading from Behind: Part 2 with Dr. Sukhi Bains
02/11/2026
From Classroom to Community, and Leading from Behind: Part 2 with Dr. Sukhi Bains
From Classroom to Community, and Leading from Behind: Part 2 with Dr. Sukhi Bains If you change the metrics, you can change the outcomes. During part one of our conversation with Dr. Sukhi Bains, we received an introduction to the Schulich EDI-D Office, and how it supports faculty, staff, and students alike in creating inclusive spaces that adapt to their lived realities and goals. We now know that when it comes to academic environments, beginning to understand (and question) metrics starts with expanding our minds beyond numbers and thresholds, to holistically consider the people that make up our classrooms, labs, etc. But how exactly does that happen? It really does seem easier said than done. Tune in to the remainder of our conversation with Dr. Sukhi Bains as we discuss student engagement and advocacy, embracing the fear of the unknown, and building systems to uphold equity work across our departments. We’ll also dive into the world of a leader and discuss rewards, challenges, and how to stay connected with the fantastic work of her team, and so many other partners across London, Ontario. Send Us Feedback: TImestamps (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Introduction: Welcome Back, and Quick Recap 00:03:28 - Uplifting the Student Voice/Engagement 00:14:59 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s) 00:31:48 - If You Had a Magic Wand… 00:41:48 - Parting Pieces and To Learn More…Check These Out 00:55:38 - Our Reflection: Key Takeaways and Outro Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading) 00:00:32 - Welcome Back, Sukhi Bains () 00:09:11 - 00:10:28 - Additional Resource: 00:11:25 - 00:11:25 - 00:11:33 - 00:11:36 - 00:13:30 - (Canadian Mental Health Association, Thames Valley) 00:18:26 - 00:20:14 – 00:23:18 – (a starting point to learn more, but we encourage you to explore additional resources) 00:24:23 - Dr. Nicole Redvers () 00:25:00 - (just one of the amazing resources out there) Additional Resource: 00:26:04 – 00:26:14 - 00:27:50 - 00:27:54 - 00:28:01 - 00:36:41 - (one example of gathering information on the lived experience of faculty, staff, and learners) 00:45:19 - 00:46:39 - 00:46:54 - 00:46:54 - 00:47:30 - 00:48:20 - (and additional online learning opportunities) 00:51:32 - (just one output of this fantastic collaboration) 00:52:38 - 00:55:05 - 00:55:10 - 00:55:14 - 00:55:22 - EDID Office Email ; and Sukhi’s Email Audio Recording and Production This episode was recorded on , hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS). Thank you to Patrick Barfoot and Dave Creces for their support with refining the audio for this episode. Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion. Intro and Outro Music Sourced from Pixabay, “” by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.
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Rethinking Higher Education Metrics for Equity, Inclusion, and Impact: Part 1 with Dr. Sukhi Bains
02/03/2026
Rethinking Higher Education Metrics for Equity, Inclusion, and Impact: Part 1 with Dr. Sukhi Bains
In the medical sciences, we observe, experiment, and test the physical and natural world around us. Whether it is to test a novel therapeutic intervention, conduct an experiment exploring the physiology behind a disease, or evaluate population-level trends, there is an aim to promote evidence-based decision making. As learners and teachers, people come first. We want to build inclusive classroom and laboratory spaces where students feel seen and heard, but it can be difficult to know whether our intentions and initiatives are making a real impact. Can Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization (EDI-D) principles be transformed into tangible metrics and outcomes? How do we know if we are supporting our students with these values in mind? Tune in to our conversation with Dr. Sukhi Bains, a triple-board certified physician and the Acting Associate Dean of EDI-D at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, to learn more about how metrics come into her work both in the clinic and on campus. This is part one, and we’ll be releasing part two shortly after. Send Us Feedback: Keywords: Higher Education; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization; EDI-D; Inclusive Education; Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Education; Learner Experience; Inclusive Metrics; Structural Inequities; EDI in STEM; Western University TImestamps (MM:SS) 00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 01:12 - Land Acknowledgement 03:41 - Guest Introduction 06:37 - Welcome Dr. Sukhi Bains! 07:11 - What is the Schulich EDI-D Office? 18:33 - Sukhi Bains’ Career Path 35:10 - Measuring the Impact of EDIDA Principles in Higher Education: How? 48:26 - Outro (and More to Come!) Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading) 1:12 - 1:32 - and 4:03 – 07:26 - 08:07 - Additional Resource: 08:10 - Additional Resource: 08:13 - Additional Resource: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-brian-sinclair-report-1.4295996 Book: 08:15 - 08:40 - EDI-D Office: Faculty-Wide Mandate 10:49 – 13:59 - 14:04 - 19:13 - 21:41 – 20:37 - (Archive Website; this program shut down in 2022) 31:06 - Audio Recording and Production This episode was recorded on , hosted by Schulich Educational Technology and Media Services (ETMS). Thank you to Patrick Barfoot and Dave Creces for their support with refining the audio for this episode. Produced/Edited by Preetama Badyal and Oana Birceanu Thank you to the support of the team at BrainsCAN for funding the resources behind this podcast, allowing us to create this space for discussion. Intro and Outro Music Sourced from Pixabay, “” by electronic music producer Evgeny_Bardyuzha. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License.
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Inclusive Learning by Design: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Nicole Campbell
01/09/2026
Inclusive Learning by Design: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum with Dr. Nicole Campbell
Description As an educator, what do you wish you knew about where your students' needs and interests lie? As a student, what do you wish your instructors knew about your professional and personal goals beyond the classroom? For both groups, what do you do when you don’t even know…what you don’t know? These are important questions to consider, especially when building an inclusive classroom environment where the goal is to address all student needs. As the Project Lead for Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum, 3M Teaching Fellow Dr. Nicole Campbell has begun to answer these questions, providing both learners and educators tools, resources, and opportunities to reflect on the skills and professional development lessons that aren’t explicitly touched on in academia. We sat down with Dr. Campbell to learn more about the development of this resource, and how she has incorporated it into her work as an Associate Professor and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Program at the undergraduate and graduate level. Send Us Feedback: Mentioned in This Episode (Further Reading/Exploration) 00:01:16 - Land Acknowledgement: 00:01:49 - A Dish with One Spoon: 00:03:24 - Course-Based MSc in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences: 00:03:55 - 3M National Teaching Fellowship (2024 Awardee, Dr. Nicole Campbell): 00:04:23 - The Hidden Curriculum (Resource Website): About The Hidden Curriculum: 00:04:27 - Inclusive Science4All: 00:04:32 - Design Thinking (Institute of Design at Standford): 00:04:32 - Western Conference on Science Education: 00:05:21 - Centre for Teaching and Learning: 00:13:54 - E-Campus Ontario: 00:15:17 - Western EDI Office: 00:50:35 - Design Thinking Worksheet for Educators: 01:05:27 - Reach Out to Dr. Campbell: 01:13:20 - Dr. Beth Hundey’s educational legacy, Connecting for Climate Change Action Course TImestamps (HH:MM:SS) 00:00:00 - Start 00:00:10 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:01:16 - Land Acknowledgement 00:03:09 - Guest Introduction 00:04:49 - Welcome Dr. Nicole Campbell! 00:05:39 - Nicole Campbell’s Career Path 00:09:09 - What is the Hidden Curriculum? And Background on the Project 00:13:44 - Building the Hidden Curriculum as a Tangible Resource 00:20:20 - How Can Instructors Implement the Hidden Curriculum? 00:24:25 - Measurable Impact of the Hidden Curriculum 00:31:04 - Addressing Gaps in “Traditional” Education 00:33:51 - Barriers to Implementing the Hidden Curriculum 00:39:44 - Addressing Biases and Assumptions as an Educator 00:45:08 - Misconceptions on Inclusive Learning Environments 00:48:19 - Additional Tools to Support an Inclusive Learning Environment 00:51:46 - The Future of the Hidden Curriculum (and Other Projects!) 00:56:54 - Challenge(s), and Reward(s) 01:01:32 - If You Had a Magic Wand… 01:04:23 - To Learn More…Check These Out 01:06:42 - Our Reflection: Key Takeaways and Outro 01:13:20 - In Memory of Dr. Beth Hundey Credits: Hosts: Preetama Badyal & Oana BirceanuGuest: Dr. Nicole Campbell Audio Production: Preetama Badyal Technical Production: Patrick Barfoot & David Creces, Educational Technology & Media Services (ETMS), Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Recorded on: . Thank you to undergraduate student Joyce Li, who contributed to the topic list and greatly supported background research on this podcast during the 2024-2025 academic year.
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