Events

What Is “Probative” Evidence? What We Can (Constructively) Learn from Debates on Evidence-Based Practice in Medicine and Education

February 19, 2026, 4:00–5:00 p.m, online. Presentation in French. If you would like to attend the conference remotely, simply register using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/vVGWCeTMBx

The creation of a National Institute of Excellence in Education marks an important step in the implementation in Québec of tools associated with the global movement toward evidence-based education, or the use of “probative data.” Much has been said about this movement and its potential effects on the teaching profession—but what does it mean in concrete terms?

Drawing on an extensive body of empirical literature in the sociology of science and professions, this conference offers reflections grounded in: (a) lived experience in medicine since the 1990s; and (b) the specific features and rapid evolution of evidence-based policies in education. As several initial concerns—such as fears of deprofessionalization—have not materialized, it becomes useful to consider how to cultivate a calm, critical curiosity that can meaningfully inform the decision-making of school teams.

Graphic for the Stage as Site of Refusal event

The Stage as a Site of Refusal

Aesthetics and Acts of Resistance

Monday, March 2, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register now

This conversation approaches the stage as a decolonial space where refusal operates as both method and stance. Centering positionality, the session reflects on how embodied, artistic, and narrative practices are shaped by lived histories of colonialism, systemic violence, displacement, and resistance.

Rather than aspiring to neutrality or universality, the discussion affirms situated knowledge and accountability, asking who speaks, from where, and at what cost.

Through aesthetics, performance becomes a practice of refusal, refusing extraction and erasure, while opening space for counter-narratives, relational ethics, and collective re-imagining. Within the Unveiling Equity series, the stage is framed not only as a platform for representation, but as a site of struggle, care, dignity, and insurgent possibility.

Unveiling Equity Workshop Series

The Unveiling Equity series invites participants to unpack, unsettle, and critically reposition themselves from a decolonized perspective in order to engage more actively with social justice issues. Through thought-provoking discussions and reflective activities, the series challenges conventional views, encourages deeper self-awareness, and promotes meaningful action toward equity and justice. This series is designed to inspire participants to critically examine their roles and responsibilities in fostering inclusive and transformative change within their communities and professional spaces.

Poster for the JLCC winter semester events

Japanese Language and Cultural Exchange

During the Winter 2026 semester, the Center for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP) is inviting the Concordia and Montréal communities to take part in a Japanese Language and Cultural Exchange, led by CSLP Student Affiliates (Ryuichi Suzuki & Vitor Yano) and the Concordia Japanese Language and Culture Community.

The weekly sessions run from January 20 to April 14, taking place every Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the CSLP (Grey Nuns Annex (GA), Room 1.210, 1211 Saint-Mathieu St., Montreal, QC H3H 2S2). (There will be no session on March 3.)

The initiative is open to everyone, whether participants are beginners, advanced learners, or simply curious about Japanese language and culture. Participation is not limited to Concordia students, and no registration is required.

The gatherings are designed as a welcoming and inclusive space where participants can practice Japanese, explore cultural topics, and connect with others in a friendly setting. Conversations take place in pairs or small groups. While the focus is on Japanese, the use of other languages, such as English and French, is also welcome.

Anyone with questions about the exchange is encouraged to contact the organizers at concordia.jlcc@gmail.com or follow the initiative on Instagram (@jlcc.official).

Readers are also invited to check out previous Japanese language and cultural exchange initiatives supported by CSLP.

Interrogating Our Own Work: The Art of Debating Your Research Project – Engaging with critique and building confidence in defending your ideas

Date and Time: February 11, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Ezy17WpyJbdtWHtL8

Organized by Britney Vu, Interrogating Our Own Work: The Art of Debating Your Research Project is designed to foster open, supportive, and critical engagement with ongoing research. Too often, students work in isolation, and while conferences and symposiums offer spaces to present ideas, meaningful feedback is frequently limited by time constraints. This event aims to fill that gap by creating a safe and constructive environment for students to share their work-in-progress, receive thoughtful critique, and practice articulating and defending their research decisions. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their methodologies, assumptions, and findings as they learn from the perspectives of others. Whether presenting an outline or a literature review, refining a dissertation chapter, preparing for a defense, or testing a new idea, this session offers a unique opportunity to interrogate one’s work in dialogue with a supportive scholarly community.

Beyond Pedagogy of the Oppressed: The Evolution of Freire's Thinking

A conversation series moderated by Vitor Yano

In this series we will discuss the work of Paulo Freire and the changes in his thoughts throughout his life, considering also the historical and political contexts he lived in, his influences and legacy. Each session will be based on one or more of his main books. Other readings by authors who influenced or were influenced by Freire may be added to discuss the formation of his ideas and his legacy.

Join us the last Friday of every month, September 2025 - May 29, 2026. Register for the series now.

Download the full CSLP 2025/26 Events Calendar