Enhancing academic life at the University of Toronto by showcasing experiences of migration and dias
The Centre for Diaspora and Transnational Studies (CDTS) was established in 2005 as a hub of excellence that enhances undergraduate and graduate life at the University of Toronto by speaking directly to students' experiences of migration and diaspora through an interdisciplinary lens drawn from both the social sciences and humanities. The work of the CDTS is comparative, qualitative and historically driven, and provides policy insights on pertinent issues in the world today.
06/09/2026
Congratulations to all of our 2026 DTS graduates! You should feel so proud of yourselves as you celebrate this incredible achievement! The Centre wishes you all the best as you begin new and exciting adventures. You did it! 🎓🎉
05/14/2026
✨Student Spotlight✨ Congratulations to DTS student Arista Arhin on winning the SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Award! This competitive national award supports undergraduate students pursuing research in the social sciences and humanities while encouraging future graduate study.
Learn more about Arista’s research and award here: uoft.me/AristaUSRA
05/12/2026
✨Student Spotlight✨ Congratulations to DTS Student Catherine Diyakonov on being named a 2026 University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) Scholar! This is a U of T Award of Excellence recognizing graduating students for outstanding academic achievement and extra-curricular involvement. Read our Q&A with Catherine here: uoft.me/CatherineUTAA
05/04/2026
✨Alumni Spotlight✨ Janine AlHadidi graduated in 2021 with an Honours Bachelor of Arts, Double Majoring in Diaspora and Transnational Studies and Political Science.
The DTS program provided Janine with an intellectual space to grow as a journalist and academic. Today, Janine is working at one of the fastest-paced newsrooms in the world at PBS News Hour, where she has worked both with the foreign desk and the digital team.
Read more about Janine’s journey here: uoft.me/dtsalumniprofiles
04/23/2026
✨Student Spotlight✨ Petra Biddle-Gottesman is a 3rd year DTS student who recently won the University of Toronto Excellence Award! This award provides opportunities for research experience at the undergraduate level.
Working with CDTS Director, Naomi Seidman, Petra’s research is “part of the Bais Yaakov Project, which documents and examines archives from the Bais Yaakov movement and its founder Sarah Schenirer, who sought to create a vibrant culture of education for Orthodox Jewish girls. My research will include working on a walking tour of Bais Yaakov schools in Toronto, assisting with production of a film about Schenirer, and interviewing and writing blog posts about past Bais Yaakov students' experiences in the movement.”
Congratulations on this incredible award and research, Petra! Learn more about Petra’s research here: uoft.me/PetraUTEA
03/17/2026
On March 26th join us for "Blackness Across Borders: Italy and Brazil in Dialogue" with Angelica Pesarini, Assistant Professor in CDTS and ISPLAS and Kwanza Musi Dos Santos, Co-founder and President of the cultural association QuestaèRoma.
This informal dialogue explores Black identity in Italy and Brazil through a comparative conversation on issues of race, language, and belonging.
Learn more and register here: uoft.me/blacknessacrossborders
03/12/2026
Join us on April 9th for Celebrating Research Impact: Transnational Inquiry, Public Engagement, and Social Transformation. This event will be a sit-down conversation between Kamari Maxine Clarke and Kevin Lewis O’Neill celebrating the 2025 Insight Award Professor Clarke received from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
The conversation will take place from 2:00 – 3:30pm in 170 St. George St. room 100 and will be followed be a reception from 4:00 – 6:00pm at Proof Bar, 220 Bloor St. W. Learn more and register here: uoft.me/celebratingresearchimpact
03/09/2026
Join us on March 27th from 1:00 - 2:00pm for a screening of Project Sifu. Project Sifu explores how martial arts cinema supports Hong Kong diasporic identity, resilience, and community. Following the screening from 2:00 - 3:00pm there will be an interactive workshop on screen choreography with Dr. Wayne Wong, Director of Project Sifu. Learn more and register here: uoft.me/projectsifu
02/27/2026
Thinking about taking a summer course, but not sure what? Check out DTS305 H1F - Special Topics in DTS: Superman and Other Migrants!
In this course, you’ll get to explore the emergence of the superhero from the immigrant experience; trace the depiction of migrants, immigrants and refugees in recent graphic novels; and study visual strategies for representing migration and displacement.
Enrolment opens on ACORN March 2nd! Learn more here: uoft.me/DTSsummer2026
02/23/2026
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances this lecture will be **POSTPONED** to a later date. We'll be sure to reach out when a new date is confirmed. Our apologies, and thank you for understanding!
On February 24th at 5:30pm, join us for the Annual Ato Quayson Lecture in DTS! This year, Professor Bethany Moreton, Professor of History at Dartmouth College will join us for a lecture titled “Theocracy Now! The Global Vision of U.S. Christian Nationalism.” Learn more and register here: uoft.me/AQlecture2026
