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The Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Wellness is proud to present its Spring Speaker Series. With expert speakers from all over North America, you’ll hear fascinating and thought-provoking research, ranging from the pandemic and overall wellbeing to gender diversity to financial wellness. 

Join us

for Creating a Culture of Thriving for Sexual and Gender Diverse Students

When: Wednesday, March 24
At: 4:00pm (MST)
Link: meet.google.com/bxf-fkrt-bis

Creating a Culture of Thriving for Sexual and Gender Diverse Students

Dr. Carmen Arth (PhD, RSW), Concordia University of Edmonton

Change is happening quickly and extensively in how we define and effectively create cultures of inclusion for sexual and gender diverse students. Most post-secondary institutions, staff, and educators have prioritized efforts to support diversity and inclusion, and yet according to Egale Canada Human Rights, students continue to report sexual and gender oppression in relation to peer interactions, staff, and faculty interactions, as well as within the overall educational environment. Increasing awareness and implementing additive measures have provided important groundwork for inclusion, and yet as change continues and our understanding evolves, we recognize that there is more we can do. I know. More work? Well, creating a transformative culture of sexual and gender inclusion would not only create a culture in which sexual and gender diverse students could thrive; research shows that this inclusion effectively supports the mental health and well-being of all students. So, this work can create space where sexual and gender diverse students can thrive right alongside their classmates. Drawing upon research, and integrating theory and applications from positive psychology, this talk will present positive growth-oriented strategies that cultivate transformative learning and change and deepen and broaden our engagement with sexual and gender diversity and inclusion.

About Carmen Arth

Dr. Carmen Arth (PhD, RSW) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). Prior to coming to CUE, Carmen was the Director of Clinical Training in the Master of Marital and Family Therapy program at Loma Linda University (Canadian Campus). Carmen has worked in private practice for the past 20 years, and the focus of her work has always been supporting people in re-visioning and re-creating lives that support well-being. Carmen has extensive experience consulting with people, agencies, and institutions on various topics of sexual and gender diversity and inclusion. Dr. Arth is also currently engaged in some ongoing research projects, one of which explores ways people thrive during the pandemic and another that explores the experience of post-secondary educators during the changing landscape of sexual and gender diversity. 

Spring 2021 Presentation Series

Save the dates in your calendars for the whole series:

* Each presentation will be held at 4:00-5:00 pm (MST)