What Does it Mean to be a Migrant Man in Canada

Join Concordia University Public Scholar Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad for an insightful research spotlight event on the theme "Redefining South Asian Masculinities in the Canadian Context." This event will explore the lives, challenges, and contributions of South Asian men in Canada, providing a rich examination of masculinity within a multicultural framework.

The day will begin with a keynote address by Dr. Pallavi Banerjee, followed by a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad. The panel will feature prominent academics, including Dr. Mireille Paquet and Dr. Helal Hossain Dhali, along with community representatives and social workers. Attendees will also experience a compelling photography exhibition curated by Varda Nisar, highlighting the lives and contributions of South Asian men in Canada. The event will conclude with an interactive roundtable discussion featuring Bangladeshi students from Concordia University, focusing on navigating gender roles within diasporic spaces.

Through diverse perspectives and personal narratives, this event will critically examine the evolving dynamics of masculinity in Canada’s multicultural society, offering an opportunity for meaningful engagement and dialogue.

How can you participate? Join us in person or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting or watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca

Dr. Pallavi Banerjee

Dr. Pallavi Banerjee is an accomplished sociologist specializing in families, migration, labour, gender, and intersectionality. She is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Calgary and holds the prestigious Research Excellence Chair in the Sociology Department. Her research focuses on the intersections of family sociology, migration, labour, transnationalism, the Global South, and critical feminist theories. 

Dr. Mireille Paquet

Dr. Mireille Paquet is a political scientist and Associate Professor of Political Science at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She holds the Concordia Research Chair on the Politics of Immigration and serves as the director of the Équipe de recherche sur l’immigration dans le Québec Actuel (ÉRIQA). Dr. Paquet’s research focuses on immigration politics and policy in Canada and beyond, with a comparative lens that includes countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

Dr. Helal Hossain Dhali

Dr. Helal Hossain Dhali is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Psychology at UQAM and an Associate Professor in the Department of Women & Gender Studies at the University of Dhaka. With a strong dedication to education and social science research, Dr. Dhali’s work focuses on amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals, exploited communities, and those vulnerable to violence, conflicts, and extremism.

Varda Nisar

Varda Nisar is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Art History at Concordia University's Faculty of Fine Arts. Her work bridges art education, community outreach, and cultural research, rooted in her extensive experience in her hometown of Karachi. Varda founded the Karachi Children's Art Festival (2014–2016) and currently serves as the Head of Educational Programming for the Karachi Biennale Trust.

Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad

Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad is a doctoral candidate in Social and Cultural Analysis at Concordia University, Montreal. His research focuses on the intersection of transnational migration, culture, and gender, examining how these factors shape the identities and lived experiences of Bangladeshi men in Canada. His research contributes to broader conversations on migration, identity, and gender studies, offering critical insights into the experiences of marginalized communities.