Facilitators:
Joanne Lieu, Graduate Professional Development Coordinator, FASE
J. Sparks, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Sociology & Anthropology, University of Guelph
Interactive Workshop Student caregivers navigate different challenges in postsecondary spaces than their non-caregiver peers (Bleakney, 2014; Sinha, 2013). With the additional role of being responsible for the well-being and health of a loved one, and at times more than one person, students often find themselves experiencing role tension and strain. While family roles can motivate students and life experiences may support their maturity, research has also suggested that students with caregiving roles can disproportionately face economic insecurity, difficulties meeting their basic needs, and additional time demands (van Rhijn, Lero, & Burke, 2016; Cruse, Mendez, & Holtzman, 2020). However, being a caregiver is an invisible identity, especially as many students do not realize they are one (Beed, 2017; Charles et al., 2012). Since, a limited amount of SoTL research has been published on this often invisible student group within Canadian higher education, our workshop aims to encourage discussion and knowledge sharing in advocacy of student caregivers at U of T. In particular, this workshop will share research describing the experiences of those caring for and studying at a large urban postsecondary institution. We will also highlight on-campus and local community resources supporting student carers. Workshop participants will also use personas to share how they would create carer-friendly classrooms and learning environments in response to students’ diverse roles. Overall, this workshop will advocate for students and highlight that the inclusion of student carers at U of T enriches the learning environment for all.
Part of CTSI's
TLS Mini-Series 
