See new exhibitions, honour our trans community and play with AI
This month, TMU has many events to engage the community. Everything from reflecting on Canada’s history in the Remembrance Day ceremony to what’s ahead in an event about the upcoming U.S. election and a symposium that addresses climate injustice.
As the temperature drops this month, you might be tempted to stay in a bit more, but TMU is hosting several events to get you out and about in the community. From panel discussions to art exhibitions to community meet-ups to celebrate Pride or reflect on our history as Canadians, read below for a round up of the top events happening this month.
You can also visit the TorontoMet Today website to keep up with other exciting events on campus.
Hannah Somers: The Music Sang 'Lean on Me' (external link)
November 1 - December 9: Opening this month at the Image Centre is Hannah Somers’ exhibition, The Music Sang 'Lean on Me', which explores biracial identity growing up in the 1960s. Somers creates visual conversations between her mother and aunt, biracial twin sisters adopted into a white family in the 1960s. The photographs and video featured in the exhibition recount the circumstances of the sisters’ upbringing and its effect on their racial and social identities. The opening reception for the exhibition is happening November 1, 6-8 p.m.
AI Guided Play Workshop
November 2: The best way to learn about AI is to play with AI! Join the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) in their Active Learning Classroom for this interactive session where attendees can get familiar with OpenAI’s (GPT-4) Playground. Come develop some prompt engineering skills and discover ways to leverage this technology in your work and personal life.
Queeraoke
November 2: Are you a singer? Love the stage? Enjoy the delights of amateur karaoke? Positive Space invites faculty and staff from the 2SLGBTQ+ community to come along and grab the mic at this low-pressure, high-reward social event.
Chillin’ on Gould for United Way
November 7: Chillin’ on Gould is a classic TMU event that’s returning this year after a long hiatus. Students, staff and faculty can stop by Gould Street to purchase a bowl of halal beef or vegan chili, with all proceeds going to United Way Greater Toronto.
TMU Remembrance Day Ceremony
November 10: Join the TMU community in the Kerr Quad for its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. Guest speakers include History Professor Jennifer Tunnicliffe, who will speak about the history of conflict and human rights.
2023 CivicLabTO Symposium
November 15: This year’s program features action-oriented meetings led by City of Toronto staff members, with sessions focused on current strategic priorities at the City of Toronto, and the role higher-education institutions can play in addressing critical local issues. One student-specific session, The Climate and Resilience Workforce of Tomorrow, is for students interested in urban sustainability or who are planning on a career related to climate change adaptation and resilience in an urban context.
Protecting Trans Youth: A Panel Discussion
November 16: November is Trans Awareness Month, and the TMU community is invited to join Marty Fink, professor of Professional Communication at The Creative School, for a panel discussion on the challenges faced by trans youth in relation to law enforcement, media coverage and their impact on the younger generation.
Alumni Achievement Awards
November 16: In 1998, TMU established the Alumni Achievement Awards to recognize the superior caliber of alumni of our institution. Over 25 years, 143 distinguished alumni have been recognized for their outstanding career achievements. This year, celebrate and welcome the 2023 Alumni Achievement Award honourees at a special invite-only reception.
Meet with other students and activists to get engaged on climate justice issues at the Let’s Talk Climate (in)justice, presented by SciXchange with the support of the Consulate General of France in Toronto and Let's Talk Science.
Let's Talk Climate (in)Justice
November 17: Climate change can no longer be considered a mere environmental issue – it has to be considered as a social justice issue too. The burden of climate change’s effects is not carried equally between races, genders, economic statuses or age groups. The second annual Let's Talk Climate (in)Justice symposium features a series of virtual and in-person speakers as well as an in-person discussion of wildfires and their impact on a wide variety of communities. This event is designed to engage students and learners of all ages, both within and outside of the TMU community. Lunch will be provided.
Trans Day of Remembrance
November 20: Positive Space welcomes the TMU community to join us as we observe the Trans Day of Remembrance, which honours the memory of the trans people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-trans violence. Speakers and community leaders will speak to the significance of this day in light of escalating hostilities towards 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
With two unpopular candidates at the forefront of the U.S. presidential election, what might this mean for Canadian democracy? Find out at the November 29 Democracy Dialogues event.
U.S. Democracy on a Precipice: The implications of the 2024 U.S. presidential election for Canadian democracy
November 29: With the U.S. presidential election one year away, join Professor Rob Goodman, author of Not Here, Why American Democracy Is Eroding and How Canada Can Protect Itself, and Democracy Dialogues host, Victoria Kuketz, to understand the implications for Canada and the lessons to be learned.