Alexandre Gauthier has been a doctoral student in French literature for several years at the University of Ottawa. His thesis focuses on the relationship between the Catholic imagination and dramatic writing in French Canada after the Quiet Revolution and on the way this imaginary contributes to the construction of male characters. A SSHRC recipient, he is also a part-time professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Ottawa, the treasurer of the Société québécoise d’études théâtrales and a professional actor. He holds a master’s degree in classical acting from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London (2017), and he has performed in about thirty shows in the Ottawa-Gatineau region.

Since Alexandre began his graduate studies in 2007, he has been involved with his departmental association, contributing to the founding of the Graduate Student Association of the French Department. He also held the position of internal commissioner of the GSAÉD in 2009-2010. More recently, he has been involved in various GSAÉD committees in addition to representing the French department on the board of directors. Elected as representative of the humanities sector in the University Senate in 2023, Alexandre has taken a particular interest in issues relating to bilingualism and “la Francophonie” on campus, as well as issues relating specifically to research and graduate studies in the arts and social sciences and humanities. He wishes to be reelected and continue to be a strong voice for students in the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Common Law, Civil Law, Education and Telfer School of Management, and to actively contribute to the establishment of clear, effective, and respectful policies.

Charles is a doctoral candidate in epidemiology conducting research on the spatial epidemiology of malaria and currently seeking re-election as the Graduate Sciences Representative to the University of Ottawa Senate.

Over the past three years on the Senate, Charles has been a vocal advocate against funding cuts to graduate programs, contributed substantially to the recent overhaul of the University of Ottawa Academic Regulations, and has consistently ensured that the student experience is centered in discussions at the Senate Council on Graduate Studies and the Executive Committee of the Senate.

If returned to his position, Charles hopes to continue his work advocating for positive changes to academic policy and campaigning for student interests at uOttawa.

I’m Kamran Karim, a proud student at the Telfer School of Management where I am currently pursuing my Professional MBA. As a technology project leader with extensive experience in leadership, management, and negotiation, I believe I possess the skills necessary to serve effectively as a member of the GSAÉD Board of Directors.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to promoting employee well-being and sustainable practices in the workplace. In fact, I am a self-proclaimed ambassador for these causes, advocating for them both within my organization and beyond. Now, I want to take my passion for supporting others and apply it to the role of Director, GSAÉD at University of Ottawa.

If elected, I plan to prioritize open communication between the Board and Telfer, ensuring that every voice is heard and considered when making important decisions. I also aim to advocate for policies that promote student well-being and support sustainable practices within the Association. My goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

In addition, I hope to leverage my expertise in leadership and negotiation to help drive positive change within the Association. This includes working collaboratively with other members of the Board to identify opportunities for improvement and develop effective solutions that benefit all students.

Overall, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my time, energy, and expertise to the GSAÉD as a Director. With a commitment to honesty, integrity, and collaboration, I am confident that together we can achieve great things and create a vibrant community that supports the success of all graduate students.

I am an MA student in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics researching Arctic shipping, major infrastructure and Indigenous governance. In my personal life and as a researcher, I am passionate about better understanding and addressing the economic and social aspects of the Global Climate Crisis. Funding availability for students and high cost of living in Ottawa are very important issues for me. As well as promoting the interests of graduate students, as representative to the GSAÉD board I will work hard to make our department and university more sustainable and inclusive.

Hello everyone! My name is Michael, and I am happy to announce my candidacy for the Information Studies program seat on the Graduate Student Association (GSAED). As a second-year Master of Information Studies student pursuing my goal of becoming a librarian, I am deeply committed to enhancing the student experience and fostering a culture of well-being within our community.

Throughout my time as a student, I have seen the need for more resources for resources, and my decision to run for this position stems from my desire to amplify student voices and address the issues that matter most. One such issue is student wellness. Mental health and overall well-being are paramount for academic success and personal fulfillment. Wellness goes beyond just mental health; it includes financial wellness and social wellness. We must prioritize resources and initiatives that support the holistic wellness of our student body.

My involvement with AESISSA, our program’s student association, has given me valuable insights into the challenges students face and the opportunities for positive change. If elected, I will leverage this experience to advocate tirelessly for policies and programs that promote student wellness and foster a supportive environment for all.

I am committed to transparency, accessibility, and inclusivity in governance. Your concerns will be my top priority, and I will work diligently to represent the diverse interests of our department. Together, let’s build a stronger, more vibrant graduate community where every student can thrive.

With over 15 years of experience as a filmmaker and film and television editor, I have become proficient in conducting thorough research for audiovisual projects in Latin America. In 2021, I decided to enhance my research skills in Cultural Studies by pursuing a master’s degree in an interdisciplinary program at the University of Guelph. I continue developing my skills by following a Ph.D. program in Spanish Program at the University of Ottawa.

I am drawn to this position for a couple of compelling reasons. Firstly, I am eager to foster connections among my fellow graduate students and across various departments within the university. I aim to facilitate informal gatherings and meaningful interactions among students from diverse disciplines, believing strongly that such engagement can significantly enhance our collective well-being and bolster our research endeavors. Secondly, I aspire to serve as a vital link between my Spanish graduate cohort and the Graduate Student Association (GSA), ensuring that my peers remain well-informed about pertinent institutional matters. Having previously served as the student representative within the department, I am committed to sustaining my contribution to these endeavors beyond my formal duties, driven by a genuine desire to support and empower my academic community.

Victoria recently graduated from the University of Ottawa, where she earned a BSocSci (Hons) in Anthropology with a minor in Civil Law. Currently pursuing her Masters in a related field, Victoria is deeply committed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is passionate about contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world. She has volunteered over 600 hours for various initiatives supporting human rights and environmental sustainability and founded Environtastic, an official club at the University of Ottawa promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. Victoria enjoys baking, gardening, and learning new skills, but her core passion is sustainable development.

A fervent advocate for the integration of building communities, research, and clinical practice, Javier A. Porras Gil, a master’s in health science, physiotherapy graduate student at the University of Ottawa, is on a mission to bridge the gap between academia and practice/healthcare. With a keen interest in how evidence-based research can enhance patient care, Javier is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where graduate students from diverse disciplines can connect and share insights.

He understands that progress in science is accelerated when researchers and clinicians work hand-in-hand. As a student in a clinical master’s program with friends in many domains of graduate studies, he sees the need to connect with different researchers that can inform his and his colleagues’ future practice directly or even indirectly.

Javier will take on the initiative to create a forum for knowledge exchange if nominated to the GASÉD. This platform will aim to encourage interprofessional dialogue and cooperation, where the forefront of scientific inquiry meets the cutting edge of clinical application. By doing so, Javier envisions a future where the boundaries between research and practice are seamlessly blended, leading to more innovative and effective healthcare solutions. It will be a space where students can challenge the status quo, push the envelope of current knowledge, contribute to the advancement of science at an unprecedented pace, and do it all within the walls of their university so that when they enter practice, they have the skills to connect with various professions.

My name is Parikshit Chauhan. I am a Lawyer by profession (registered with the Bar Council of India), with 2 years of experience in litigation and advocacy. Currently, I am pursuing my Master of Laws (LL.M.) at the Faculty of Law, uOttawa. I have an intellectual inclination towards International Relations and Geopolitics. Outside the scholastic arena, I am a former National level athlete with an 8-year competitive career in Sports Climbing, Basketball, and Athletics.

My motivation to be a Board Member (Faculty of Law) pivots around representation, inclusivity and advocacy. I firmly believe that effective representation and communication is essential in shaping an environment that fosters growth and excellence. If elected, I am committed to leveraging my experiences to serve the student body diligently.

My primary goal for the coming year is to prioritize initiatives aimed at enhancing academic support services, promoting diversity and inclusion, and facilitating professional development opportunities for the law students. Exorbitantly high tuition fees (which is only increasing each year), limited opportunities for scholarships and bursaries, and minimal academic and professional development opportunities are some of the concerns I aim to address. Further, I aim to contribute to the creation of an inclusive and more integrated academic community where we can all thrive and succeed.

I am honored to present my candidacy for the position. I look forward to the opportunity to serve my fellow students and work collaboratively towards the advancement of our shared goals and aspirations.

Hi my name is Olivia and I am a first year MASc student. I am designated under the faculty of chemical and biological engineering but my degree is actually in biomedical engineering and my background is in biochemistry and Life Sciences. I am applying to GSAÉD to become involved in my graduate student community and work with those who want to make change and improve the quality of grad studies at UOttawa. If I am elected, I hope to represent the interest of the grad students in my faculty to the best of my abilities.

Bachelor’s degree in Legal Sciences from the Faculty of Law and Economics in Port-au-Prince, Master’s degree in Public Administration from the École Nationale d’Administration et de Politiques Publiques (ENAPP), Master’s degree in Law, Management and Economics from the Université de Nantes, graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, former technical advisor to the Comité Interministériel des Droits de la Personne en Haïti (CIDP) for the Government of Haiti, lecturer on leadership on numerous occasions, representative of francophone students at the International Development Students Association (GDVM) at the University of Ottawa, focal point of the association at the Action Committee of the University of Ottawa Union (SCFP-CUPE 2626), I am very interested by the position of departmental representative for two fundamental reasons: Primarily, to represent my department validly and with dignity and to take its grievances to the highest level; secondarily, to share my knowledge, my savoir-être and my know-how, in a perspective of mutual learning, for the success of the entire GSAED team. Thank you for your confidence in your humble servant.

Mohammad Savari is a third-year Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering at the University of Ottawa. After completing his undergraduate studies in electrical engineering at the Arak University of Technology, he was rewarded with a DAAD scholarship, allowing him to pursue a direct Ph.D. in robotics and automation. Mohammad showcased his academic and research success, along with his leadership skills, while he was an undergraduate, as president of the Performance Art Club, and an active member of the Electrical Engineering Club.

As the current departmental representative, Mohammad is running for re-election to advocate for the mechanical engineering students and guarantee their voices and requests are heard on the GSAED board. His top priority is to build a cooperative and supportive environment for all mechanical students to reach their utmost capacity in their studies and to work with other student associations to ensure students’ rights are respected. Mohammad’s proven leadership skills, academic achievements, and research contributions make him the ideal candidate to represent the interests of the mechanical engineering community.

Hello! My name is Jay Batu. I’m a master’s student in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa Institute of Environment. I’m putting my name forward for the open departmental representative position on the GSAÉD board. I hope that I can earn your vote to advocate on behalf of both the master’s/PHD programs, and ensure we have a strong voice at the table advocating for environmental sustainability students. This position also entails serving on the uOttawa Campus Sustainability Committee (SUSCOM) to help shape the University’s sustainability strategy.

I have previously held an elected student position at uOttawa, serving as the VP Equity & Sustainability for the Economics Students Association in 2020-2021. I have also previously volunteered as a board member of the Downtown Brockville Business Improvement Association, and have been an executive member of the LGTIRL NDP electoral district association (EDA) for five years. Most recently, I was elected Vice President of the EDA, and am maintaining my position as Sustainability Officer.

Through these roles, I’ve developed strong communication and planning skills which are essential for effective collaboration on boards. My previous experience in student leadership has taught me how to listen to the needs and concerns of my fellow students, and translate those conversations into meaningful action.

One project in particular that I hope to help spearhead is the formation of an official refurbishment plan for 1 Stewart that will see our home building renovated to be greener, more energy efficient, and more aesthetically pleasing. This high-profile area building should be a source of pride for our program, for the incredible organizations we share this space with (SPI and Ecojustice), and for the University as a whole.

I am excited to represent your interests and work to create a more sustainable campus and academic institution that serves the needs of current and future students.

My name is Camille Cottais and I have been a master’s student in feminist and gender studies since last September. However, I am studying at the University of Ottawa since 2019, since I completed my bachelor’s degree in political science here. I am running to represent the small community of feminist and gender studies students on the GSAED Board of Directors.

I am very familiar with the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies and the programs and services it offers, as well as the union and association scene on campus. In particular, I was briefly president of the feminist and gender studies undergraduate students’ association, and I have just started as Francophone Coordinator for the graduate students’ association, again in feminist and gender studies.

As an international and francophone student, I am particularly committed to defending their rights on campus. My priorities will therefore be inclusion and accessibility, in terms of francophonie and bilingualism, the rights of people with disabilities, international students and other minorities.

My name is Sumali Mehta and I am currently in the second year of the MSc in Epidemiology program. As the Vice President of the SEPHGSA this past year, I had the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of how the SEPH student community is impacted by other graduate departments and faculty-level decisions and processes, and I would like to continue to work towards strengthening the SEPH student voice in faculty affairs, and extend my role to identify and facilitate conversations between SEPH and the broader graduate student network at uOttawa.

The GSAED Board Member position will allow me to be able to successfully create stronger bridges between students within the SEPH department, and indirectly between all graduate students departments to the department, which ultimately allow me to create a smoother environment within the graduate student community at SEPH. As this position requires being able to represent the interest of SEPH students, I hope to bring my previous experiences as Vice President Equity in my undergraduate residence council, where I represented my residence at higher level residence council meetings, to aid, along with my experience as Co-President of Kitchen on a Mission – Montreal.

Most of all, through this position, I am hopeful to work with team to create as great of an environment possible for students and the department at SEPH and strengthen my leadership skills in the process. Through my contributions, I ultimately hope to strengthen the SEPH and GSAED student communities with a welcoming, comfortable, and accessible environment for all.