HxCanada Fall Conference - Expanding Minds: The Power of Diverse Perspectives in Canadian Post-Secondary Education

This one-day conference explores how post-secondary institutions in Canada can engage students, researchers, and faculty members in a way that builds trust across a variety of perspectives—cultural, ideological, disciplinary, and experiential. We aim to examine how creating spaces for open, respectful conversations and meaningful dialogue can help to challenge assumptions, deepen empathy, and support academic and personal growth. Together, we will reflect on how institutions can cultivate environments where diverse voices feel heard, valued, and able to engage constructively across disagreement.

Conference programming will take place in-person at Simon Fraser University's Harbour Centre in Vancouver from 9:00am - 5:00 PM PST as well as livestreamed. French translation will be available.

In-person conference registration includes access to all scheduled conference sessions and refreshments, as well as the ability to participate in Q&A, engage with conference speakers and fellow attendees, and contribute to conference programming. Register for the in-person conference here for a small fee.

Livestream-only registration gives you access to watch the conference sessions remotely via Zoom. Sign up for the livestream here for free.

Confirmed Session Highlights

• Diversity and Knowledge Production: Why It's Important, How It Often Goes Off the Rails - Keynote Address by Musa al-Gharbi, Stony Brook University
• EDI in Higher Education: Reform, Reframe, or Retire? - A Heterodox Conversation featuring Lilach Marom, Simon Fraser University and Stephen Reich, University of Toronto
• Debate and Truth in Canadian Universities - A Q&A with Chief Aaron Pete, host of the Nuanced Podcast
• Viewpoint Diversity, Constructive Disagreement and the Academic Left - A panel discussion featuring Dennis Soron, Brock University; Kevin Gosine, Brock University; Neil McLaughlin, McMaster University; and moderated by Alexandra Lysova, Simon Fraser University

Check out the full conference schedule here.

Hotel Accommodations

Coming in from out of town? While there is not an official hotel block for this conference, we recommend booking at one of the following hotels within close walking distance of the conference venue:

• Auberge Vancouver Hotel
• Victorian Hotel
• St. Regis Hotel
• Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
• Hyatt Regency Vancouver

Questions? Reach out to events@heterodoxacademy.org.