My research story begins with a simple belief: leading should help people feel that they belong. As a queer educator who has lived, worked, and travelled across rural and international communities, I’ve seen how identity and place shape our experiences in schools, workplaces, and community spaces. Those encounters, which are sometimes joyful and sometimes difficult, sparked my commitment to understanding how people learn across their lifespans, and how institutions and their leaders can better honour them.
One photograph captures this belief well: a row of bicycles I photographed in Shanghai. Each one similar in purpose, yet each taking its rider on a different path. To me, it symbolizes how we share the same desire for a meaningful, successful life, while travelling through the world on our own respectful journeys. That image mirrors my research: a focus on common humanity, paired with a deep respect for difference.
Over the years, my work has been 'on the move', responding to new developments and opportunities for learning and growth. I examine how policies, leadership, and organizational culture shape belonging, especially for people pushed to the margins. My recent travels to rural pride events, for example, revealed the courage and creativity that sustain queer life outside major cities—and the structural supports still needed.
Today, as a Canada Research Chair, I study continuous learning not as a single workshop or training requirement, but as a way of building more just, imaginative, and inclusive work communities. I collaborate closely with students, adult educators, and community partners to create work and learning environments where everyone can thrive.
In many ways, my research is a story about people; how they learn, how they resist exclusion, and how we can build futures where everyone belongs.
One photograph captures this belief well: a row of bicycles I photographed in Shanghai. Each one similar in purpose, yet each taking its rider on a different path. To me, it symbolizes how we share the same desire for a meaningful, successful life, while travelling through the world on our own respectful journeys. That image mirrors my research: a focus on common humanity, paired with a deep respect for difference.
Over the years, my work has been 'on the move', responding to new developments and opportunities for learning and growth. I examine how policies, leadership, and organizational culture shape belonging, especially for people pushed to the margins. My recent travels to rural pride events, for example, revealed the courage and creativity that sustain queer life outside major cities—and the structural supports still needed.
Today, as a Canada Research Chair, I study continuous learning not as a single workshop or training requirement, but as a way of building more just, imaginative, and inclusive work communities. I collaborate closely with students, adult educators, and community partners to create work and learning environments where everyone can thrive.
In many ways, my research is a story about people; how they learn, how they resist exclusion, and how we can build futures where everyone belongs.