Social Justice, Injustice and STEM: Connecting these ideas for better health outcomes and increased participation

Numerous studies have found that those underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are motivated by service to community, that they are pushed out when there is not a strong connection between STEM and society, and are disenchanted by the lack of opportunities to pursue work related to social justice and activism in their STEM environments. Until we make the connection between STEM and the goals that drive their interests, we will continue to see few underrepresented students enter and remain in the field. 

As part of his lecture, Dr. Kevin Hewitt will describe how he has tackled topics that impact underrepresented communities, co-created organizations to diversify the next generation of scientists and brought science to public venues to raise awareness. International collaborations of his are structured around serving a global citizenry. Beyond a responsibility to the public writ large, his career has focused on two responsibilities with respect to the Black community: to bring those currently underrepresented in the field to become major contributors (CBSN, ILA, Science Fair), not only as a matter of social justice, but also to accelerate the field's advance. Like Dr. Calliste, whose scholarship focused on the complex interaction of work, race, ethnicity, and gender in Canada, Kevin's most recent international and national collaborations also explore those complex interactions: in particular, the high prevalence of uterine fibroids among Black women. He will describe how a physicist can contribute to this interdisciplinary project in aid of improved health outcomes for African Canadian women.

Speaker Biography

Dr. Kevin Hewitt is a full time Professor in the Department of Physics & Atmospheric Science, Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion in the Faculty of Science, and former chair of Senate (2015-2021) at Dalhousie University. In the classroom, Dr. Hewitt strives to link physics to the everyday lives of the learner. In his molecular imaging lab, he's developing novel nanoparticle probes for bioimaging and treatment, optical imaging approaches combining holography and Raman spectroscopy, and a prototype medical diagnostic tool for liver transplantation and uterine fibrosis applications. Completing his BS. Physics & Biology at the University of Toronto (1992), he received the UofT Physics prize. At Dalhousie, he unified his deep abiding interests in science and community engagement by co-founding (in 2003) the award-winning Imhotep's Legacy Academy, a STEM outreach program for black students from junior high to university levels. He's featured in Cool Black North, a film which explores the unique and vibrant Canadian black community. Dr. Hewitt recently co-edited a special issue of Physics in Canada (PiC 77.1), Inclusion for Excellence: The physics community in Canada. He's been recognized provincially with a Youth Community Service Award in British Columbia (1999) and was the Nova Soctia Discovery Centre Science Champion (2018), nationally with the Harry Jerome Award for Professional Excellence (2014), and NSERC Award for Science promotion (2021), and within Dalhousie the Rosemary Gill award for service to students (2021).

Dr. Agnes Calliste African Heritage Lecture Series

The lecture series is organized by the StFX Department of Sociology in honour of the legacy of Dr. Agnes Calliste. As noted in the Canadian Sociological Association's 'In Memoriam' following her death Fall 2018: "[Dr. Calliste's] scholarship focused on the complex interrelation of work, race, ethnicity and gender in Canada. Her ground-breaking research with African-Canadian railway porters and Caribbean-Canadian nurses explored previously unexamined dimensions of our social history. Dr. Calliste studied not only the institutionalized oppression of such communities, but also their organized resistance." The Department of Sociology proudly hosts this lecture in partnership with StFX's Academic Vice President and Provost, Associate Vice President Research, Graduate and Professional Studies, Deans of Arts, Science, Business, and Education, Brian Mulroney Institute of Government, President's Action Committee on Anti-Racism, Human Rights & Equity, Black Student Advising, Dr. Agnes Calliste Academic and Cultural Centre, and the Canada Research Chair Health Equity and Social Justice. 

The lecture  is free and open to the public. Members of the community are most welcome and encouraged to attend!