Naomi Eichenlaub
PhD Candidate in Higher Education | Librarian, Toronto Metropolitan University
Naomi’s research interests are at the intersection of higher education, academic libraries and research support. Naomi has a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and a Masters in Library and Information Studies, both from the University of British Columbia. Naomi’s ORCID.
Jana Macalik
PhD Candidate in Higher Education | Director of the Global Centre for Climate Action, OCAD University in Toronto
Jana is investigating (de)differentiation in the context of specialized art & design universities in Canada, particularly the provincial differentiation frameworks that have posed a challenge to the unique model of art and design schools in higher education; among them, the economics of higher education being unfavourable to the studio-based approach. She holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies from Dalhousie University. Jana’s LinkedIn.
Kasey Dunn
PhD Candidate in Higher Education | Assistant Professor, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary
Kasey Dunn is a serial entrepreneur with a research focus on entrepreneurial education for the empowerment of equity-seeking groups. She is particularly interested in how higher education institutions can design inclusive, experiential learning environments that support diverse entrepreneurial pathways. Kasey holds a Masters of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University. Kasey’s LinkedIn.
Ahmet Su
PhD Candidate in Higher Education
Ahmet’s doctoral studies at the University of Toronto focuses on International and Comparative higher education studies and policies. He previously worked as a teacher, language instructor and research assistant, and conducted studies on K-12 education and educational policies. Ahmet holds a PhD degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Akdeniz University (Turkey) and MA degree in Educational Sciences from Afyon Kocatepe University (Turkey). Ahmet’s LinkedIn and ResearchGate.
Aytaj Pashayeva
PhD Candidate in Higher Education | Programs Manager, Future Skills Centre, Toronto Metropolitan University
Aytaj’s research focuses on research security governance in higher education, examining how Canadian universities implement national research security policies and manage risks related to international research collaboration. Her work includes a comparative analysis of research security approaches across countries. Aytaj holds a master’s degree in research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) and a master’s degree in international educational development from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her broader interests include higher education governance, science and innovation policy, and research policy implementation. Aytaj’s LinkedIn.
Christine Weidenslaufer
PhD Student in Higher Education, University of Toronto
Christine is a comparative law attorney with legislative advisory experience at the National Congress of Chile, working at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy. Her current research examines how research security frameworks, intellectual property rules, and institutional practices interact to protect AI‑assisted discoveries within Canadian universities. She holds a Global Professional Master of Laws (GPLLM) in Innovation, Law and Technology from the University of Toronto, a Master of Laws in Advanced Legislative Studies from the University of London, and a Master of Laws in Comparative and International Law from St. Mary’s University (Texas, USA). Christine’s LinkedIn.
Emily Gong
PhD Student in Higher Education | Senior Development Officer, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Emily’s research examines how geopolitics, migration, and international collaboration shape global higher education and scientific knowledge production, with particular attention to talent mobility, research networks, and diaspora communities. She holds a BFAH from Queen’s University and a MSc from the University of Oxford School of Globalisation and Area Studies. She is also the Co-founder of Asian Arts and Culture Trust (AACT), a Canadian federal not-for-profit organization. Emily’s LinkedIn.
John Lam
PhD Candidate in Higher Education | Director, Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship, Humber College
John’s research interests lie in the academic profession in the context of entrepreneurship education, specifically focusing on the academic development of entrepreneurship educators. John has over 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education at various higher education institutions. He holds a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) from the University of Waterloo. John’s LinkedIn.
Tania Del Matto
PhD Student in Higher Education | GreenHouse Director, United College at the University of Waterloo
Tania’s research interests are on how students make sense of their social entrepreneurship education as they transition into their careers. As founding director of GreenHouse, a social impact incubator within United College at the University of Waterloo, Tania has helped hundreds of student entrepreneurs and innovators make an impact. She holds a Master of Environment from the University of Waterloo. Tania’s LinkedIn and ORCID.
Aisha Husain
PhD Candidate | Assistant Teaching Professor, Ontario Tech University
Aisha’s research explores how experiential learning shapes entrepreneurship education. Aisha has worked across the entrepreneurial ecosystem, both directly supporting entrepreneurs and teaching entrepreneurship. Aisha holds a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University. Aisha’s LinkedIn.
Carlos Artilez
MA Candidate in Higher Education | Senior Project Manager
Carlos’ research interests are university-industry collaborations as drivers of innovation and economic growth (intellectual property, industry’s engagement in program accreditations, among others). Carlos has a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC; Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep.) and a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT; New York, US). Carlos’s LinkedIn.