Connecting for Action, a two-day community and academic conference on gender-based violence in the workplace and its impact as a barrier to diverse leadership, will take place at Mount Saint Vincent University on May 26 and 27, 2026. The conference is free and open to all.
Hosted by the Nancy’s Chair in Women’s Studies at MSVU Dr. Mary Rita Holland, in collaboration with the Alexa McDonough Institute, Be the Peace Institute and the Violence and Harassment in Politics Working Group, the event will bring together academics, community organizations, elected officials, advocates, and students for panels, workshops, and a networking social. Topics will include gender-based violence in politics and workplaces, online harassment, and youth leadership. View the full program.
- Dates/times: May 26 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and May 27 (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
- Location: Multi-Purpose Room within the Rosaria Student Centre, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax [campus map]
Youth Networking & Mentorship Social: May 26, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Please register in advance. You can register here. Food will be provided.
Dr. Tracey Raney, Full Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University and co-editor of Gender-based Violence in Canadian Politics in the #MeToo Era (University of Toronto Press, 2024), will be a featured panelist. Dr. Raney is a leading scholar on gender and politics and a co-founder of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Women in the House leadership program.
In her article “‘Quiet, piggy’ and other slurs: Powerful men fuel online abuse against women in politics and media,” Dr. Raney noted that “Marginalized women and women with public-facing roles — especially politicians, journalists and activists — often bear the brunt of attacks, with the intent to silence and push them out of the public arena.”
“In journalism, research by Australian scholar Julie Posetti and her colleagues at the International Center for Journalists shows that online attacks against women reporters have a chilling effect, reducing their willingness (along with those of their sources, colleagues and audiences) to participate in public debate.”
Event host Dr. Mary Rita Holland is wrapping up her term (2024-2026) as MSVU’s 18th Nancy’s Chair on Women’s Studies. The Nancy Rowell Jackman Chair in Women’s Studies (Nancy’s Chair) was established at MSVU in the mid-1980s. Endowed by well-known Toronto-based feminist and philanthropist Nancy Ruth, the Chair raises awareness of women’s issues by bringing to campus distinguished scholars in women’s studies and activists who have contributed to the advancement of women. In her time at MSVU, Dr. Holland has expanded research, scholarship, and community engagement across a number of topics of critical importance to the advancement of women.
Media interested in attending the conference (or parts of the conference) and/or connecting with lead organizer Nancy’s Chair Dr. Mary Rita Holland can contact Gillian.Batten@msvu.ca to make arrangements.