Research Advisory Committee

At the Impakt Foundation for Social Change, we are committed to evidence-based, participatory research practices that amplify newcomer voices and experiences. Our research process is not limited to gathering data; it is a collaborative effort where newcomers co-design programs with our team, ensuring that our interventions remain relevant, culturally sensitive, and effective. Recognizing that every newcomer community brings unique strengths and faces distinct challenges, we strive to avoid top-down or "one-size-fits-all" programming. Instead, we embrace a tailored approach rooted in ongoing research, informed implementation, and continuous evaluation.

  • Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed

    An Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Toronto, he directs the Third Space research group at the DGP Lab. His research focuses on responsible AI, human-AI interaction, and the ethical aspects of technology, particularly concerning marginalized communities. (Country: Bangladesh)

  • Dr. Antoinette Gagné

    Dr. Antoinette Gagné is Professor Emerita at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on teacher education for diversity and inclusion, exploring the experiences of multilingual language learners and their families as well as international students in universities and internationally educated teachers in Canadian educational settings. She has also examined the academic integration of children and youth with refugee backgrounds in Canadian schools.