Orillia Campus Research & Innovation Week Opening Ceremonies and President's Lecture with Speaker Dr. Sarah Olutola: "Talking About Racism During Turbulent Times"
About the Event
Join us as we celebrate Lakehead's 21st Annual Research & Innovation Week with greetings from local dignitaries. This will be followed by our President's Public Lecture Series talk by Dr. Sarah Olutola, Associate Professor and a member of the Royal Society of Canada: "Talking About Racism During Turbulent Times".
About the Series
As Lakehead University celebrates our incredible legacy, we’re also looking ahead with a new purpose. That’s why we’re proud to launch the President’s Public Lecture Series, a 60th anniversary initiative designed to engage the communities we serve in timely, thought-provoking dialogue on the issues that shape our world. Hosted by President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall, the free lecture series features research and perspectives from Lakehead thought leaders and changemakers – sparking conversation on the most pressing challenges of our time. Events will alternate between Lakehead’s Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses, with all lectures available via live stream and posted online for on-demand viewing. Whether you’re deeply interested in a topic or just curious to learn more, come as you are–bring a friend if you’d like–and enjoy these engaging talks.
Talking About Racism During Turbulent Times
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time: 9:30 to 11:00 AM
Location: OA1033, Simcoe Hall, Lakehead Orillia, 500 University Ave. + Livestream
Join Dr. Sarah Olutola for a frank discussion about how the current political climate necessitates a re-examination of how we think about racism and what we can do about it. Dr. Sarah Olutola is a public writer, novelist, and academic. As an Associate Professor and a member of the Royal Society of Canada, her current research concerns Black literature and Black popular media. As a public intellectual, she has written for publications such as The Walrus, CBC, and The Washington Post.
Registration
To register for this event, please click here.