Sunera Thobani

Sunera Thobani degrees are from Middlesex University (BA in Social Sciences), University of Colorado (MA in Social Sciences and Certificate in Women's Studies) and Simon Fraser University (PhD in Sociology). Prior to coming to UBC she was the Ruth Wynn Woodward Endowed Professor in Women's Studies at Simon Fraser University (1996-2000). Dr. Thobani was the Lansdowne Scholar in Residence at the School of Social Work, University of Victoria (1997). Since her appointment at UBC. Dr. Thobani has been committed to using an interdisciplinary approach in her teaching and research, and to maintaining her involvement in community and social justice activities. She teaches WMST 100 "An Introduction to Women's Studies" and WMST 480 "Women as Agents of Change - A Practicum in Women's Studies". WMST 480 makes important connections between feminist theory and activist work as student participate in a community organization to provide experiential learning normally not available in the traditional classroom setting.

Dr. Thobani's academic publications include articles in journals such as Canadian Woman Studies, Atlantis: A Women's Studies Journal, Journal of Canadian Women and the Law, Refuge and Race & Class. Her research focuses on globalization, citizenship, migration and race and gender relations. Her current research projects include a Hampton Research Grant project, Gender, Globalization and International Conflict: Representation of Women in the Print Media' and a SSHRC funded project, Television Representations of Women and the War on Terrorism.

Dr. Thobani is also past president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (NAC), Canada's largest feminist organization. The first woman of colour to serve in this position, Ms. Thobani's tenure was committed to making the politics of anti-racism central to the women's movement. In her community work she has written and spoken on many issues, including the impact of globalization on women's citizenship; Canadian immigration and social policy; new reproductive technologies; violence against women; and women and APEC. She has been invited to help organize and give addresses at numerous international conferences, including the NGO Forum at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China (1996), the First International Women's Conference on APEC in Manila, Philippines (1996), and the National Association of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Councillors in Manchester, Britain(1998). She is also a founding member of the cross-Canada Researchers and Academics of Colour for Equity (RACE) network.

 

Women’s and Gender Studies Program,
University of British Columbia
1896 East Mall
Vancouver, B.C,
V6T 1Z1
Tel: 604-822-9171
Fax: 604-822-9169 wmst1@interchange.ubc.ca