Teaching

Teaching sociology (like research in sociology) contributes to a greater good beyond the classroom or lab. Some key benefits to students (and by extension, society) include the development of critical thinking skills, an understanding of inequality and the importance of equity and inclusivity, and a 'sociological imagination' that connects individuals' circumstances to wider social structures and processes. These three components have been central to my teaching for guest lectures and teaching assistantships.

To promote students' critical thinking skills, I emphasize active learning. Instead of only lecturing, I often incorporate questions during lessons that prompt students to share their understandings of course material. I also combine visual and verbal elements in my lecture slides to facilitate comprehension of theories and concepts, and invite guest lecturers during my lectures to expose students to different ways of thinking. 

To foster equity and diversity, I emphasize that I do not expect students to know or understand everything — and continually encourage them to ask questions — to support students that might otherwise be wary of speaking up (e.g. due to marginalized backgrounds). I also ask students their preferred gender pronouns, and share my own (she/her or they/them). 

To expand students' sociological imagination, I ask students to reflect on how ideas and themes explored in the courses connect to their own lived experiences. When relevant, I also incorporate readings and topics from various sociological subfields (e.g. from environmental sociology, cultural sociology, social movements research, social networks research), as well as other research fields (e.g. from Indigenous scholars, legal scholars, psychology, anthropology) to further students' sociological and interdisciplinary thinking.

In sum, my teaching strategies are aimed at empowering students through critical thinking exercises, diversity and inclusion promoting practices, and expanding students' sociological imagination. I also learn a great deal from students — about new perspectives, and how to foster a more ideal learning environment — every time I teach. 

Guest Lectures

Guest Lecture. 2024. “Social and Ecological Consequences of Approaching Animals as Resources versus Rights-Holders." Society & Natural Resources (SOCI 360). University of British Columbia. (September 26, 2024).

Guest Lecture. 2024. “Animals, Environment and Human Rights.” Sociology of Environment & Natural Resources (SOCI 360). University of British Columbia. (April 4, 2024).

Guest Lecture. 2023. “Environmental Sociology and Animals.” Environmental Sociology (SOCI 420). University of British Columbia. (November 7, 2024).

Guest Lecture. 2023. “Social Constructionism, Animals, and Climate Change.” Sociology of Climate Change (SOCI 495/599). University of British Columbia. (October 5, 2023).

Guest Lecture. 2023. “Analyzing Discourse Networks” for Special Topics Seminar: Social Networks (SOCI 599A), University of British Columbia. (April 12, 2023)

Guest Lecture. 2023. “Including animals in sociological research” for Sociology and Natural Resources (SOCI 360 202), University of British Columbia. (April 6, 2023)

Guest Lecture. 2021. “Social networks and emotions in the animal rights movement” for Sociology of the Environment (SOCI 509A), University of British Columbia. (April 12, 2021)

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching Assistant. 2017. Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 102), University of British Columbia. (September – December 2017)

Teaching Assistant. 2016. Introduction to Sociology (SOC 100 H5F), University of Toronto. (September – December 2016)