Page 44 | Autumn 2022
NEW AND INTERIM POSITIONS
Xia Ji
Dr . Xia Ji is the new Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs . In getting to know Xia , we pause to consider the identifiers often put on ta in the Canadian context : an immigrant / newcomer ; an Asian / Chinese Canadian ( lumped into the category of ‘ BIPOC ’); a woman ; an English language learner ; a visitor / visiting scholar , and more . Xia says , “ Very few Canadians can see beyond my Asian / Chinese look and non-Canadian accent . Here are some identifiers which are less perceived by people : a daughter ( to a brilliant mother ); a mother ( to three amazing children attending Regina Public Schools ); a sister ( to a most kind brother living in mainland China and to many more ); an English teacher ( taught English to elementary to university students in China for about 3 years ); a friend and mentor ( to people from various parts of the world ); a citizen ( of any place ta inhabits , especially of the land ); a leader ( including Director of Professional Development & Field Experiences for 5 years ); a professor of education ( 14 years at the U of R ); an education scholar / qualitative researcher / autoethnographer ; an environmental educator ( taught K-12 as well as graduate students in Minnesota from 1999 to 2007 ); a democracy advocator ; a warrior for the human spirit ; and a person who cares deeply about human development , liberation , and awakening .”
At this stage of ta de life , Xia identifies as all the above , and none of the above . Xia says , “ To borrow Yo-Yo Ma ’ s words , ‘ I am constantly becoming as I move towards that which I do not yet understand each day . The result is a continuous accidental learning which constantly shapes my life .’” Click to Read more .
Marc Spooner
Dr . Marc Spooner , a full professor with the Faculty of Education , has recently taken on the role of interim director of CERCD ( www . cercd . ca ), the Faculty of Education ’ s research unit . Spooner works with both the educational psychology and education curriculum and instruction areas , specializing in qualitative and participatory action research . A multiple winner of the Prairie Dog ’ s Best of Regina Poll for Best U of R Professor , Spooner says that , “ teaching , and hopefully modelling , critical and creative thinking in the service of democratic consciousness , participation , and engagement ” are what he is passionate about in his work .
Spooner is well-known in the community for his advocacy for those who suffer from homelessness and poverty . He takes an active interest in participatory democracy and activism . More recent interests include academic freedom , audit culture , social justice and the effects of neoliberalization and corporatization on higher education . He , with Dr . James McNinch , recently co-edited the award-winning book , Dissident Knowledge in Higher Education , as part of an ongoing discussion regarding the purpose of higher education in a climate of neoliberalism .
With the “ aspirational hope of nudging the arc of history towards justice ,” Spooner is busy planning the second symposium , which will facilitate the continued exploration of roles , challenges , conflicting tensions , and promising re-imaginings to address the question of the university ’ s purpose in an age of performance-based funding and audit culture . The symposium boasts an impressive line-up of speakers : Have a look and plan to attend : https :// www . whatareuniversitiesfor . ca / speakers / www2 . uregina . ca / education / news