Upcoming Events
Confessions of an AI User: Me, Myself, and AI
- Date: Wednesday, November 19, 12:00–1:00 pm
- Format: Hybrid – in-person (limited to ~20 participants) + online (up to ~20 Zoom participants)
- Location: [On-campus room, TBA]
This informal session will open up a conversation about: what it means to be an “AI user” as a graduate student, how AI intersects with research, writing, and teaching, and the tensions, opportunities, and questions that come with it. Spots are limited.
Call for Volunteers – “So You’re Interested in Grad School in Education: Now What?”
Our Peer Mentor Coordinator, Kaylee Fishback, is organizing an event for prospective graduate students on November 27. The event will bring together prospective students and current Werklund graduate students to talk about different programs and experiences in the Graduate Programs in Education at UCalgary. We are looking for graduate student volunteers who are willing to share a bit about their program and experience in an informal, supportive way. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Kaylee.
Informal Thesis Gathering with Dr. Yvonne Poitras Pratt
- Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Time: 3:30–5:00 pm
Meet with Dr. Yvonne Poitras Pratt, Research Chair, in a friendly and informal setting. This gathering is especially for graduate students who have completed their courses and are now working on their theses. This is a great space to connect with other thesis-stage students, share how your thesis journey is going, and ask questions or reflect on the process in community.
GPESA Research Voices Podcast
Join GPESA president 2024-2026 Fabielle Rocha Cruz for a podcast series where graduate students share their journeys and research inspirations. Reach out to us if you'd like to be part of GPESA research voices.
United Way Trivia Contest
Our very own president Fabi hosted trivia for the United Way on October 29, 2025 in partnership with the Werklund School of Education.
Halloween Week 2025
GPESA Halloween Week 2025 was a huge success with three main events.
- When Time Feels Out of Joint: An Informal Discussion on Hauntology on October 29, 2025
- No Tricks, Just Treats! on October 30, 2025
- Cultural Crafts Halloween Event on October 31, 2025
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: A Conversation with Dr. M. Elisa Lacerda-Vandenborn | October 20, 2025
Dr. Lacerda-Vandenborn, EDI Director at the Werklund School of Education, joined us for a thoughtful conversation about how EDI impacted graduate student experiences. Her research drew from decolonial and community-engaged approaches in Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand, addressing self-determination in mental health, youth justice, and education. It was a valuable opportunity to learn and connect!
Making Your Degree Work for You | October 10, 2025
Completing a graduate degree is a huge milestone, but what comes next can feel uncertain. In this session, graduate students heard from Dr. Philipp Reichert about how graduate education shapes diverse career journeys. The discussion focued on how skills from research, teaching, and leadership transfer into career paths inside and beyond academia.
Paulo Freire Week | September 19-25, 2025
This week featured guest lectures from Dr. Shirley Steinberg and Dr. Elisa Vandenborn, a reading and discussion group, a printmaking workshop, and a community dinner at Mina's Brazilian Steakhouse. Thank you to all our supporters and participants!
Dear colleagues,
As Paulo Freire Week comes to a close, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you who joined us in the lectures, activities, and workshops over these five days. Your presence and engagement gave life to the event, and as a Brazilian scholar and current President of GPESA, this experience was profoundly moving for me. It allowed me to share a part of my own history through Freire’s legacy, while also witnessing how his ideas continue to inspire us all.
I wish to recognize the brilliant team who helped transform what began as a lighthearted conversation in the GPESA office into a full week of learning and dialogue. From the GPESA team, Kristal (VP Student Life) and Lily (Treasurer) supported planning, organization, and the Quality Money application, while Shahneela (Communication) and Sajedeh (VP Academic) ensured the event reached our community. Our volunteers, Alex and Nur, brought light and knowledge to our spaces, making every moment richer. We also had the help of ESA, especially Tracy (President) and Manar (VP), and we were able to welcome undergrads. And, of course, a big shout-out to GSA for granting us the Quality Money we asked to fund this initiative!
What touched me most was seeing so many familiar faces—classmates, colleagues, friends—alongside the joy of meeting new people whose kindness and generosity remind me to believe in a better tomorrow. That is, to me, Freire’s legacy in action: the hope we cultivate together through dialogue, community, and shared struggle.
Thank you so much for making this week a place of sharing and hoping. May we all become agents of radical love. 💚💛
With gratitude and hope,
Fabielle Rocha Cruz
President, GPESA 2024-2026
Graduate Programs in Education Students' Association
