
Two ANSJI senior staff members now bear the title of Doctor in front of their names after successfully defending their PhD dissertations in the span of four days.
On Friday, November 29, at Dalhousie University Dr. Tiffany Gordon, PhD, ANSJI's manager of the Data Collection and Justice System Accountability Unit defended her dissertation entitled ‘A Black Feminist’s Defence of Incarceration, Retribution, and Reform’.
Dr. Gordon’s defense was held online and in person and was attended both online and in person by dozens of Gordon’s friends, family members, and supporters including ANSJI Executive Director, Shawna Paris Hoyte KC, and many other ANSJI members.
“A significant part of the reason why I was confident was because I knew I had a community behind me, who although might not agree with all of my arguments (or even my overall position), knew me and understood the intention behind my work,” Gordon wrote in an e-mail to ANSJI staff.
“I undertook this project because I am deeply committed to the liberation of all Black people, understand that there are many different ways for us to get there, and know that if we work together, we will!”
The following Monday, on December 1st, Dr. Rajean Willis, PhD, ANSJI’s Director of the Forensic Assessment and Treatment Unit, defended her PhD dissertation at Mount Saint Vincent University, titled ‘Bringing Voice to the Violence of Anti-Black Racism with African Nova Scotians Through Digital Storytelling’.
This defense was entirely virtual. Though, like Dr. Gordon’s defense, it was heavily attended by several of Willis’ friends, family members, supporters, and ANSJI colleagues.
“At the end of the day my purpose, I believe, is to help people navigate their healing journey,” Willis told the ANSJI communications department. "And so I hope that part of what my dissertation did is to do that for the folks that participated and/or watched, or can get something from it in some way.”
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