Third annual Endnote Symposium a historic success
The Endnote Journal was founded in 2023 by three passionate History students who sought a more accessible opportunity for students to showcase their historical research and meaningfully contribute to academia. Each year, with support from the Department of History and the Society of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (external link) , members of the Metropolitan History Society form a team of diligent editors who select promising research papers to include in the journal’s annual volume. Featured students from across disciplines have the opportunity to present their findings at the Endnote Symposium in front of their peers, professors and community members.
On March 25, 2025, nearly 100 attendees floated into the Sears Atrium at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) throughout the day to learn about various historical topics, marking this year a notable success in Endnote Symposium’s history.
Back row: Shermaan Jesuthasan, David Carhart, Persephone Rose Thuet, Allison McCausland, Abigail Conquer, Gabi Builbeault, Reda Swindinsky. Front row: Anastazja Marut, Tony Tassoni, Lisa Marie Tontodonati, Jordan Le Roux.
Photo by: Arianna Guaragna
The event comprised of four themed panels, with a total of nine undergraduate student presenters who each shared their research findings and participated in an open Q&A panel with other participants.
“This year we’ve doubled our submission turnout, outgrown the event space we previously used, and grown our committee from a dedicated team of three to a full, strong team of ten,” shared Co-Chair and Senior Editor Tony Tassoni. Fellow Co-Chair and Senior Editor, Shermaan Jesuthasan echoed remarking, “This was my second year being one of the chairs for the Endnote Journal, and I would say without a doubt that this was the largest and most successful the journal and symposium has ever been. The scale that we were able to conduct the symposium in terms of attendance, as well as the quality of the journal itself this year was a huge success and something that I am very proud of.”
The event offers a space for young academics to share their historical knowledge and engage in meaningful discussion with peers and professors.
Endnote Symposium programme and Volume 2. Issue 1. of the Endnote Journal.
Photo by: Elani Phillips
"Participating in the Endnote Symposium has been a transformative experience that I wholeheartedly recommend to students,” shared Allison McCausland, presenter of The Papacy in Crisis: Negotiating Authority and Faith Against Monarchs and Scholasticism. “Presenting at Endnote not only bolstered my self-assurance but enhanced my research and presentation skills. The constructive feedback from esteemed peers, professors and Endnote Journal editors was invaluable.”
“The workshops provided a unique opportunity to connect with fellow panelists beforehand, which fostered a supportive environment that alleviated the very real anxieties associated with public speaking. Engaging with peers who shared a deep passion for history created a sense of community and support that enriched the entire experience.”
“The Endnote Symposium is the heart of the TMU history community as it offers a platform to share your passion, receive feedback, and build lasting connections with like minded peers. It's an experience that builds personal development and a deeper appreciation for the field of history.”
For many students, Endnote offered a unique opportunity to have their work published and their voices given a platform. “The Endnote Symposium gave me a chance to engage in public speaking and have a physical written publication, which was a helpful experience for employment after university or postgraduate studies. Being from a discipline other than history, it is also an opportunity to engage with students from other faculties,” remarked Reda Swidinsky, who presented How the US Controlled Europe.
Moyo Lawuyi, presenter of Nigeria: Is the Giant of Africa Falling? expressed that the symposium structure allowed her to engage with peers well after her fifteen minutes had ended. “Getting to present at the 2025 Endnote Symposium was a fulfilling experience. For me, the question period was one of the best parts! People asking me questions about my research affirmed that they listened and were interested in my presentation, and that I did a good job of getting my message across! I was also thrilled when people approached me during the break to ask more questions about my topic and my opinions on current geopolitical events. This experience has encouraged me to write and submit more essays. It also excites me for more presentations, grad school and other similar prospects!”
Top left: Student presenter David Carhart; bottom: student presenters Lisa Marie Tontodonati, Reda Swidinsky, and Moyo Lawuyi participating in a question period for Panel 3: Special Topics in Contemporary History.
Photo by: Arianna Guaragna
Undergraduate student participants expressed that presenting their research helped strengthen transferable skills and cultivate the confidence to continue exploring their topics of interest. “[Endnote] has provided such an amazing opportunity to speak on an issue that I resonate with deeply. My paper was a personal project that I had wanted to speak on since I began my academic career, but was unsure if it held any merit or would make a strong impact,” shared Lisa Marie Tontodonati, presenter of Policing Protests and the Media: Villainization of the Stonewall “Riots” in American News Media. "Through the guidance and opportunity that Endnote has provided me, I have been able to publish this project, which has become something I am extremely proud of.”
Endnote Symposium’s historic success this year is attributed to the devoted group of students who have demonstrated a commitment to amplifying the research and perspectives of their colleagues in a professional atmosphere. “Being a supervisor for such an amazing project, and working with everyone to scale it to the biggest and most impactful it has been so far is something I am so grateful for,” reflected Jordan Le Roux, Executive Supervisor of the Endnote Committee and President of the Metropolitan History Society. Endnote continues to bring together passionate students and a diversity of research topics to enliven historical inquiry and discovery.