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Social Economy Student Network (SESN)

For more information, contact Suzanne Cook of the Ontario chapter of the SESN at: ontario@socialeconomy.info

Website: http://socialeconomy.info

SESN Ontario Blog: http://sesnontario.blogspot.com

November 2009: MELISSA FONG WINS EMERGING LEADER IN SOCIAL ECONOMY RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE CANADIAN SOCIAL ECONOMY HUB

Melissa Fong is a graduate student and researcher (project 19) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto in the Department of Adult Education and Community Development. Ms. Fong also received a B.A. (Sociology & Geography) and B.Ed. from The University of British Columbia and practised as a public school educator in Vancouver, B.C.

Additionally, she has served as a housing researcher, activist, and popular media writer since 2005. Working also in Washington, D.C. and the San Francisco Bay Area to take on policy research, she has researched widely the role of the racialization of poverty in the subprime mortgage industry in the United States. Ms. Fong’s current research interests lie within the broad topic of contestations within the city, and coincide with anti-poverty social movements, the production of space and racial discourses.

Ms. Fong’s Master of Arts thesis assesses Canadian settlement houses as critical sites for anti-poverty work. She is working with partners from Toronto Neighbourhood Centres to research the development of politicized education and organizing that strengthens an anti-poverty strategy.

UPDATE FROM SUZANNE

There are currently three initiatives we are working on.

First, we are looking for student contacts who will become a representative for the Social Economy Student Network at your university in Southern Ontario (from Niagara to Ottawa). This individual must be interested in studying or researching issues related to the social economy. Each representative will be asked to publicize the SESN and its website by giving presentations to undergraduate and graduate students, putting up posters, distributing materials, advertising conferences and other academic opportunities, and representing the SESN at any appropriate up-coming campus events. They will be asked to compile a list of students at your university who are interested in the social economy in order to facilitate SE awareness and dialogue. In addition, we would welcome their assistance with the Social Economy Centre's April 2009 event, if they plan to attend. Please email me if you are interested.

Second, we are developing a list of completed dissertations and theses on the social economy at your university. If you have recently completed a SE-related dissertation or thesis, please email me the details.

Third, we are compiling a list of university programs with social economy studies. We would like to know if your university offers any type of social economy studies. In addition, we are interested in the titles and course description of any social economy-related courses being taught. Please email me the details.

Thank you for assisting us with promoting the SESN as we build and develop this important student resource.