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CAUT Town Hall Series

COVID-19 and the Academic Job

Systemic racism in the academy

(June 25, 2020) The latest CAUT town hall event focused on how post-secondary education plays a role in perpetuating systems of exclusion and ways in which academic staff are striving to develop concrete ways to end racism and de-colonize campuses.

Constructive discussion with Tri-Council representatives

(May 21, 2020) Nearly 300 CAUT members joined this online town hall to discuss the effects of COVID-19 on research with representatives from the granting councils. The closure of the economy and public spaces took the Tri-Councils by surprise and they had to adapt quickly to continue fulfilling their mission.

Governance in the time of COVID-19

(May 14, 2020) This townhall discussed practical steps to help ensure that these principles are upheld, as well as lessons for academic staff about how they might organize to strengthen governance at their institutions. While the seriousness of the current situation demands appropriate flexibility, the approval of any modifications to academic policy should remain the purview of academic governance bodies, consistent with principles of shared governance.

CAUT Town Hall on Contract Academic Staff and COVID-19

(May 7, 2020) This town hall series looked at the unique experiences of contract academic staff (CAS) in the time of COVID-19. Academic staff association leaders and activists discussed practical steps they have taken to provide additional support for their members.

CAUT webinar highlights concerns with remote teaching

(April 22, 2020) The rushed transition to remote teaching is raising concerns about privacy, academic freedom, and intellectual property. In the second series of webinars organized by CAUT, experts discussed the implications of the temporary transition to virtual instruction.

CAUT webinar highlights impact of COVID-19 on academic work

(April 16, 2020) More than 500 members participated in CAUT’s first webinar on the effects of COVID-19 on work of academic staff. Moderated by CAUT President Brenda Austin-Smith, the English webinar featured Ian Milligan (Waterloo), Stephanie Ross (McMaster) and Julia M. Wright (Dalhousie).