Fauteux in winter

Dictum - 2025-02-24

Word from the Dean

February is Black History Month. This month reminds us to focus on and to celebrate the contributions of the Black community to the legal profession. I am proud to work at a faculty with such respect for diversity.  Innovation is fostered by an inclusive community, and I have learned a great deal from being in a diverse space.

This month, I am thrilled to highlight the incredible work of Professor Olabisi Akinkugbe, The Allan Rock Visiting Professor for the Common Law Section. The Allan Rock Fund, dedicated to supporting Black law students, has been instrumental in fostering internships, fellowships, and mentorship programs. Professor Akinkugbe is an expert in public and international economic law. He brings critical traditions, such as Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), to the classroom, examining legal issues affecting the Global South.  Professor Akinkugbe fosters an inclusive learning environment that encourages critical thinking about law’s role in society. Additionally, he connects students with Afronomicslaw, a platform he co-founded to explore international economic law in Africa and the Global South, modeling the importance of giving back to academic and legal communities.  Please reach out to him directly if you would like to learn more about his work.

I would also like to thank Gladys Osien (LLB ‘19) for her ongoing leadership as Black Legal Mentor-in-Residence.  Working with the Black Law Students’ Association (BLSA) to support their activities, she has provided support, connected with students, and brought more understanding of the ‘Black experience’ to administrators at the Faculty. Gladys also serves as special advisor to the Dean on EDI and is an active and influential member of the leadership table. 

Kristen Boon

Looking ahead

Here are some resources and opportunities available to foster an environment where every student can thrive.

  • The University of Ottawa is hosting a variety of events throughout Black History Month.  You can explore the delicious dishes from African and Caribbean countries, explore practical dimensions of conducting research on Black youth's educational experiences, and more. See the Events Calendar for Black History Month for more information.
  • We have other Resources and Opportunities for Black law students in the Common Law Section. Find these on the webpage for Black Applicants.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 24 - 26 | Career Connections - Registration Table | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX Lobby | Target : All - Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre
Feb. 25 | Migrant Workers’ Right to Health Care: Lived and Frontline Experience | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | FTX 359 | Event in English
Feb. 26 | RDC Community Reading Circle – One Drum by Richard Wagamese | 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 413 | Event in English
Feb. 26 | Speaker Series: International Law | 11:30 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | FTX 302 | Event in English
Feb. 26 | McGill Citation Workshop (in English), Ottawa Law Review (OLR) | 11:30 am-12:50 pm | FTX 147B
Feb. 26 | Summer Plans Drop-In | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 230 | Target : 1L/2L - Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre
Feb. 26 | The 17th annual Thomas Feeney Memorial Lecture: Pluralism and Inclusion | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | FTX 147 | Registration required
Feb. 27  | Drop-in Community Beading Circle| 8:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | FTX 413 | Drop-in
Feb. 27 | Legal Trailblazers: Innovation in the Legal Profession | 11 : 30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 359 | Registration required through The Source | Lunch Served!
Feb. 27 | Technology-facilitated gender-based violence & the business and human rights normative framework | 11:30 a.m. - 12:50 p.m. | FTX 302 | Event in English | Bring your lunch!
Feb. 27 | A Thousand and One Nights | 7:30-10:00pm | FTX 570 | Registration required
Feb. 27 | From Courtrooms to Boardrooms: Panel on Indigenous and Aboriginal Law Across the Legal Sector | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 351 | Target : All - Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre, the Indigenous Law Student Governance, and the Indigenous Programs Specialist.   
Feb. 28 | 3L Career Boost | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | FTX 230 | Target : 3L - Presented by the Career and Professional Development Centre
Mar. 7 | Séance d'information sur le programme de pratique du droit | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Virtual | Event in French | Registration required through The Source
Mar. 8 | Towards the abolition of the death penalty: Webinar #2 | Women & the abolition of the death penalty | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | ZOOM | Event in English | Registration required to receive the link.

Please visit the webpage for more Upcoming Events.

Important dates and deadlines

Jan. 27 - Apr. 7 | Term dates 
Jan. 27 - Apr. 7 | Winters courses
Mar. 3-7 | Reading week 
Mar. 17 - 28 | Teaching course and evaluations 
Mar. 19 | Career Connections 
Mar. 27 | Course Fair for English course
Apr. 8 | Study Break 
Apr. 18 - 21 | Easter Break

Please visit the webpage for more Important dates and deadlines.

Opportunities

Academic

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