Spotlight Series: Leisha Strachan, PhD
'Spotlight' is a monthly series from the CSPA EDIA committee to highlight various members or people in our community who are showing a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
"There isn’t a magical way to support EDIA – it is simply being aware and open to learning about different perspectives and reflecting on how that knowledge might, in a small or big way, change what you do.”
Leisha Strachan is a professor and the Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Manitoba where she studies positive youth development. Leisha is also an Academic Member of the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) and a member of CSPA's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) committee. When we caught up with Leisha to find out more about her and the work she does, here's what we learned ...
What are you up to now?
I am currently working in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba.
Why is your work meaningful to you?
My work is meaningful to me for a few reasons. I enjoy doing research in the field of positive youth development as I want to make things better for young people in sport. Also, as a Black woman in this space, it is not lost on me that I may be seen as a role model for some and I hope that my position inspires them to see that they do have a place in academia if they choose to be in this profession.
How can others support EDIA initiatives?
There isn’t a magical way to support EDIA – it is simply being aware and open to learning about different perspectives and reflecting on how that knowledge might, in a small or big way, change what you do. If interested, you can learn more about my work through a free resource for coaches called Project SCORE (projectscore.ca).
“Do what you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better” - Dr. Maya Angelou
Spotlight est une publication mensuelle proposée par le comité EDIA de l'ACPS qui permet de mettre en lumière diver(se)s membres ou personnes de notre communauté qui s’engagent vers l'inclusion, la diversité et l'équité.
« Il n'y a pas de façon magique de soutenir l'EDIA - il s'agit simplement de s’ouvrir et d’accueillir l'apprentissage de perspectives différentes tout en réfléchissant à la façon dont cette connaissance pourrait, à petite ou à grande échelle, changer vos façons de faire. »