Advocacy Week 2025 – Building on the Past, Advocating for the Future

Advocacy Week 2025 (Feb. 24 – 28), themed Building on the Past, Advocating for the Future, offers a powerful opportunity for faculty to engage in meaningful discussions, strengthen solidarity, and push for necessary change in post-secondary education. From exploring the role of collective action in protecting education to reflecting on a decade of advocacy efforts, these sessions will provide critical insights into the challenges and successes of our work. The week will also highlight the valuable research contributions of contract faculty, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and supporting their scholarship. By attending and participating, faculty members can help shape the future of our profession, ensuring that our collective voice remains strong in the face of ongoing challenges. Your involvement is essential—join us in these discussions, share your perspectives, and be part of the movement for a stronger academic community.

The Power of Collective Action

The MRFA brought together union leaders, historians, and activists for a powerful discussion on the transformative impact of collective action. Curtis Jackson, Vice-President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, and Jason Schilling, President of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, shared firsthand accounts of how solidarity among workers has led to critical victories in labor rights. Former MRFA Negotiations Officer and Associate Professor of Humanities Kirk Niergarth provided historical insights into the enduring power of organized resistance, while Assistant Professor Christopher Grignard, who participated in the five-week University of Lethbridge Faculty Association strike, underscored the courage and perseverance required to stand up for fairness. Their discussion reinforced a clear and urgent message: when workers unite, they amplify their voices, challenge systemic injustices, and drive meaningful change.

• Watch a 3 minute edited version of the recording.
• Watch the full recording of the session
  

Highlighting Contract Faculty Research

Click on the images below to watch the recorded sessions from Advocacy Week 2025. See the amazing research and scholarship Contract Faculty at MRU are doing without compensation or support from the University.

• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning – Collaborative Assessment. Presented by Astrid Heidenreich, Lecturer in Physical Education and Recreation Studies
• Political Funerals, Violence, and Peace in Colombia. Presented by David Barrios Giraldo, Lecturer in Humanities (History)
• Rewriting the Rules: The Role of AI Writing Technology in Shaping Business Communication Practices. Presented by Kris Hans, Lecturer in General Management and Human Resources
• Phenomenologies of Incarnation in Michel Henry and Emmanuel Falque: Saving Flesh, Redeeming Body. (audio file only) Presented by Mark Novak, Lecturer in General Education and Humanities
• Proportional Reasoning in Science Education: Does Excessive Calculator Use Hinder Skill Development. Presented by Ana R. Colina and Tracy O’Connor