Dr. Shelina Kassam is a
critical race scholar and sociologist whose research concentrates on critical race theory and social justice. She holds a PhD from the University of Toronto and a MA from McGill. She has taught in the Division of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga and in the Gender and Feminist Research program at McMaster University. In her previous professional life, Shelina has held senior leadership positions in social justice and education organizations, both in Canada and internationally. Among other positions, she was Director of an international Teacher Education program affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, Director of Policy and Programming at the International Development Education Resource Association (IDERA) in Vancouver, and Executive Director of the Saskatoon Open Door Society, an immigrant settlement agency. She also worked with the Institute of Ismaili Studies in the United Kingdom, where she developed a Humanities-based curriculum and led teacher education initiatives. Throughout her life, Shelina has been an engaged volunteer in both national and international organizations.