I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Danielle Peers as Academic Lead on Equity Praxis and Systemic Ableism, effective July 1.
Dr. Peers is currently an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Disability and Movement Cultures. They are the co-director of the Just Movements CreateSpace and co-PI of the Re-Creation Collective. Their work bridges three fields: adapted physical activity, socio-cultural sport and movement studies, and critical disability studies.
Situated in the Office of the Vice-Provost (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion), this new role will collaborate with the VP EDI, members of the EDI Team, and EDI and Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, and partners across U of A campuses to support the development of relational and sustainable EDI infrastructures for the University of Alberta.
One key priority for this role in the coming year is to advance work in disability cultures and access on campus. Drawing on their extensive experience in anti-ableism and disability justice work at the U of A and across Canada, Dr. Peers will co-lead a newly formed Council to address systemic ableism and systemic access, an advisory and decision-making body situated in the Office of the VP EDI. The Council is a collective of knowledge holders, representative of a range of roles and faculties, who all have lived experience of ableism and bring disability-specific and intersectional insights into barriers faced and generative possibilities for ways forward.
Read more from Dr. Peers about the priorities for the coming year and the Council.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Peers on this new role!
Dr. Carrie Smith
Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion