This fall, Niagara College’s Centre for Research in Education hosted the sixth edition of the Symposium of the Southern Ontario Universities, an initiative led by the Centre for Educational Research in Languages and Literacies (CERLL) at OISE-University of Toronto.
Titled “From Silos to Solidarity: Rethinking Languages and Literacies in Education through Collaboration and Care,” the 2025 Symposium took place on Oct. 24 and 25 in a hybrid format at Niagara College. The event welcomed 249 participants from more than 26 countries, bringing together scholars, researchers, educators, and students from around the world. The Symposium was supported by the leadership of Niagara College President, Sean Kennedy, who delivered opening remarks, along with Dr. Giacomo Folinazzo, Head of Niagara College’s Centre for Research in Education, Dr. Enrica Piccardo, Head of the Centre for Educational Research on Languages and Literacies at OISE – University of Toronto, and the Symposium organizing committee, faculty, staff, and partners.
Featuring 60 presentations, posters, workshops, and roundtables, the Symposium highlighted innovative research shaping the future of languages and literacies in education. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue across disciplines and sectors, with many noting how rare it was to see college instructors, university faculty, graduate students, and community educators learning together in shared spaces.
“This year’s Symposium truly captured our theme, moving from silos to solidarity, through bringing together educators, researchers and graduate students from Niagara College and across continents in ways that allowed for genuine connection, collaboration and shared purpose,” said Dr. Faith Marcel, Professor in the School of English Language Studies and Education Technology Stream Research Lead for Niagara College’s Centre for Research in Education. “The intersections of technology and language education, from AI to various digital language learning environments, were significant areas of focus at this event. This was especially evident as participants explored, through presentations, roundtables and poster sessions, how technological tools can support plurilingual practices and expand access to meaningful learning across languages, demonstrating how innovation in educational technologies can enrich both teaching and research in education.”
The Symposium reinforced Niagara College’s commitment to collaborative, inclusive, and globally engaged research in education.
For more information about the Symposium, please click here.
