Niagara University in Ontario Education Professors Receive Insight Development Grant from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Niagara University in Ontario faculty Dr. Zuhra Abawi, assistant professor of education and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, and Dr. Asma Ahmed, assistant professor and chair of the Bachelor of Professional Studies program, received an Insight Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). They were awarded $58,320 for a project co-authored with Dr. Naved Bakali, assistant professor of anti-racism education at Windsor University, entitled "Ontario Preservice Teachers' Preparedness for Enacting Responsive Pedagogical Practices with Muslims."

The authors note that Muslims are the fastest growing religious minority in Canada, and Islam was the second most reported religion in Canada in 2021. In Ontario, Muslim students account for over 20% of the total student body in some school boards. Research suggests that widespread anti-Muslim racism has been perpetrated by teachers in Ontario schools.

Although numerous studies have examined the experiences of Muslim students and educators in public schools across Canada, little research has explored the experience of students enrolled in teacher education programs (i.e., preservice teachers) and their preparedness for enacting culturally responsive and relevant pedagogies to meet the needs of Muslim students in Ontario schools. Through this study, the researchers will explore preservice teachers' abilities to understand the needs of K-12 Muslim students in Ontario; identify gaps and opportunities within faculties of education to be more responsive to the unique needs of these students; address gaps in the literature on culturally responsive pedagogical praxis and teacher training to promote social justice and equity education for Muslim students; and contribute to knowledge production on preservice teacher readiness to embed responsive programming that meets the needs of Muslims and other racialized students in their classrooms.

"Preparing teacher education programs to become more equitable and inclusive aligns with Ontario Ministry of Education policy directives and can also serve as a framework for teacher education programs that prioritize the inclusion of Muslim students in tandem with the dismantling of Islamophobia," said Dr. Abawi. "With the increase of public discussions in Ontario over anti-Muslim racism in schools, and the growth of Muslim communities across North America, the proposed study is a necessary investigation that will inform local and academic communities and influence future policy in student wellbeing, as well as instructional design and leadership in Ontario teacher education programs."

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and research training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its programs and partnerships, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better future for Canada and the world.