Information Science

In a moment in which anti-migrant rhetoric, ethnonationalism, and authoritarian populisms are on the rise, it becomes increasingly important that political theorists do more than offer a moral indictment of racism and xenophobia. In this talk, I contend that Frantz Fanon’s sociogenic approach to the critique of ‘race’ and racialization makes a valuable contribution, even in postcolonial conjunctures that have moved beyond colonialism’s crude Manichean binaries. I read Fanon as a diagnostician of the social pathologies produced by colonialism and white supremacy, showing how he worked from the colonized subject’s experiences of inferiorization and the colonizer’s experiences of racial superiority and *self-mystification* to advance a negative critique of racial hierarchies. Sarah Bufkin https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/gov/bufkin-sarah Assistant Professor in Political Theory Department of Political Science and International Studies University of Birmingham **About the Speaker:** My research sits at the intersection of antiracist political theory and Critical Theory, including that of the German Frankfurt School, French poststructuralism, and the British Birmingham School of Cultural Studies. I am currently working on a book project focused on Frantz Fanon's sociogenic method of antiracist critique. Drawing in part on my doctoral thesis, I argue that the failure to theorize 'race' has substantial consequences for continental political theory including but not limited to understanding the reproduction of racial injustice. I have also written on the politics of voice and visibility in the U.S. and Northern Ireland. More broadly, I am interested in feminist thought, social epistemology, and continental philosophies of self and Other. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

***Tickets must be purchased in advance!*** 🔗: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-engineering-energy-infrastructure-networking-event-tickets-1984505642799?aff=ebdsoporgprofile](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-engineering-energy-infrastructure-networking-event-tickets-1984505642799?aff=ebdsoporgprofile) Get ready to connect and network with Houston's top engineering, energy, and infrastructure pros at our networking event!

Let's drink beers and shoot the shit about space! Plus, let's see some awesome astronomy content, delivered by our friends at [Astronomy On Tap](https://www.dunlap.utoronto.ca/public-outreach/astronomy-on-tap-to/). Let's meet at the [The Dog & Bear Pub](https://dogandbear.ca/), 1100 Queen St W, just a half block west from the Great Hall. We'll meet there at 6pm, do our traditional "drink beers and shoot the shit about space" (dinner also possible), and then head over to the AoT event starting 7:15 for entry by 7:30. Join us at any point, but DO expect that it'll be much harder to find us at the Great Hall than at any earlier point. We'll basically be pre-drinking at Dog & Bear, hoping to see double stars at Astronomy on Tap LOL. We will also bring one of our gliders for a bit of show & tell. More info on Astronomy On Tap: held every few months at the Great Hall by the Dunlap Institute, it's basically couple of astronomy lectures, usually by researchers, with a cash bar and tons of astronomy nerds. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm, no cover and no tickets required, but in my experience it fills up so it's best to get there well before 8pm to get better seats.

## **Global Service Jam – Toronto (March 13–15)** We’re hosting the Toronto edition of the **Global Service Jam** — a 2-day, hands-on design sprint happening simultaneously in cities around the world. Participants receive a shared “secret” theme on Friday evening and work in small teams to design and prototype service ideas over the weekend. This is not a talk or panel event. It’s collaborative, experimental, and focused on learning by doing. **Format** • Friday + Saturday: Core Jam • Sunday: Optional showcase + celebratory lunch 🎟 **Registration is required via Luma** Spots are limited and tickets are managed there. 👉 **Register here:** [https://luma.com/85b13pet](https://luma.com/85b13pet) Hosted by Service Design Drinks Toronto. Supported by Highline Beta.

IMPORTANT: You must also register at this link [Henry's Church - Crafting Impactful Portraits with Raph Nogal Tickets, Friday, Mar 13 from 1 pm to 3 pm | Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/henrys-church-crafting-impactful-portraits-with-raph-nogal-tickets-1983618316783?aff=oddtdtcreator) Join professional photographer, Raph Nogal, at Henry’s Church St. for an inspiring and creative workshop sponsored by Sony and Profoto. This workshop is free to attend. This session dives into shaping light with intention — from concept to execution — using Sony camera system & lenses, and Profoto lighting tools to create bold, dimensional portraits. Raph will break down his approach to building mood, directing subjects, and crafting images that feel both cinematic and commercially polished. Perfect for photographers looking to elevate their lighting, refine their creative process, and produce work that stands out. **Follow Raph on instagram (@raphnogal) and make sure to subscribe to his YouTube channel (@RaphNogalPhotography)** **About Raph:** Raph Nogal is a Polish-Canadian professional photographer based in Toronto (est. 2009). Known for his bold use of colour, hard light, and sculpted shadow, Raph specializes in commercial, editorial, and lifestyle photography. His work is defined by a creative off-camera lighting approach that blends cinematic mood with commercial precision. Raph is a Profoto Ambassador, Sony Pro, and active educator and speaker, regularly sharing his expertise on lighting, creative direction, and visual storytelling. Before transitioning fully into commercial work, he built a strong foundation as a wedding photographer. A 24-time recipient of the WPPI Honours of Excellence Awards, Raph is also a Fearless Photographers Award winner, Shutterfest Print Competition Award winner, and a PPOC award recipient, with images selected for both National and Regional Loan Collections across Canada.

Let’s sit together and have coffee :))

Join your community of fellow Intuitives and MBTI nerds for a casual evening of engaging conversation. We get together every second Sunday – with a mix of regulars and new friends. There is no fee to attend, though we ask that you support the venue by ordering something to eat or drink. **Feel free to contact event host B. via Facebook/Meetup messenger, or text/call 416-712-8635 for directions**. About the venue: The Pint Public House Nearest Subway: Union Station Map / Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G5GfXDSQXeifJ5ot5 We make an effort to find pubs that are quiet and introvert friendly, with a section to ourselves. We make no effort to muffle our extroverts, but should they get out of hand, our resident INTJ will use their death stare, to pull them back in line.

The Toronto Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers have been invited to Indigo at The Well! https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/events/ The following Toronto spec-fic authors will be at Indigo for a book signing: * **J.P. Babb** (fantasy) - Reality's End: A Theory of Magic * **Brandon Butler** (science fiction) - The Science Fiction Tarot: Luminous Symbols of All the Tomorrows to Come * **K.M. McKenzie** (fantasy) - The Civilization * **Jesse McMinn** (fantasy) - Mero and the City of Ghosts; The Greencloak Wanderer * **Don Miasek** (science fiction) - Pale Grey Dot * **Y.M. Pang** (fantasy & science fiction) - All the Broken Blades: Epic Fantasy & Dark Fairy Tales * **P.G. Reynolds** (children's author) - Stitches in Time Travel; Lost Hallway: Where do Lost Things Go? * **Danny F. Santos** (fantasy) - A Veil for the Vanguard * **Colin Searle** \- The Call of Abaddon Come hang out, get a book or two signed, and chat about all things science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction! Want to ask Y.M. Pang about her recent Aurora Award victories? Go for it! Interested in learning the future of the Abaddon Cycle? Hassle Colin Searle! Curious if Brandon Butler actually believes in tarot cards? Now is your chance to find out!

Don't be disappointed if you don't see a bunch of people attending. I advertise this on multiple platforms and the class usually sells out. \*\*If you don't use Paypal, email me at ralph@socap.ca and we'll figure it out. You can pay be etransfer or with a credit card/cash at the venue.\*\* Improv comedy uses several techniques to create laughter. These include, creating an atmosphere free of judgement, saying 'yes', active listening, being positive, putting your focus on others, and the importance of play and laughter. Not coincidentally, these are the same things that happen to us naturally when we are bonding with another person. In this class, we'll explore these techniques not with the goal of being funny, but with the goal of being people that other people want to be around. The teacher, Ralph MacLeod, is a co-founder of two independent improv clubs in Toronto - Bad Dog Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. He's been teaching improv for over 30 years. He also teaches these same techniques to several organizations including UofT, Google, Kraft, Shopify and many, many more. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! FAQs and Good To Know.... After every event, a group from this class sit down and have a drink together so be prepared to stay if you want! Of course, you don't HAVE to. You also don't have to be single or bring a friend. The vibe of this class is much more 'making new friends' than a 'singles' mixer'. We usually run to 8:15 so pay for extra parking!

한국어는 아래를 참조하세요! A warm welcome to CanAsian Station’s In-Person English x Korean Meetup! A weekly event where we invite you to enjoy sharing language and culture with each other. * Beginners are welcome, what’s important is you’re willing to learn! * Short on ideas? Fear not! We provide new topics each week ,also doubling as study material! Our participation fee is **$5 per event**. All fees are to be E-transferred to canasianstation@gmail.com We also accept payment in cash, but please be advised that E-Transfers are preferred. Looking very forward to meeting and sharing with you all! 😊 Location: Go to the food court downstairs. CanAsian Station의 대면 영어 x 한국어 만남에 오신 것을 환영합니다! 매주 열리는 행사로, 여러분이 서로의 언어와 문화를 나누며 즐길 수 있는 자리를 마련합니다. 초보자도 환영합니다! 중요한 것은 배우고자 하는 마음입니다. 아이디어가 부족하다면 걱정 마세요! 매주 새로운 주제를 제공하며, 그 주제들은 학습 자료로도 활용됩니다! 참가비는 **행사당 5달러**입니다. 모든 요금은 canasianstation@gmail.com으로 E-Transfer를 통해 송금해주세요. 현금 결제도 가능합니다만, E-Transfer를 선호합니다. 여러분과 만나고, 함께 나누게 될 것을 기대하고 환영합니다!😊 장소: 지하에 있는 푸드 코트로 와주시길 바랍니다

Struggling with motivation and focus as you hammer away on your manuscript at home? Want to join a community of writers as we embrace the joys and pains (mostly pains) of writing together? Bring your laptop, pen & paper, old-school typewriter, or futuristic writing gadget, and join an enthusiastic community of science fiction and fantasy writers as we work on our current projects in the same space. The format will be similar to our online writing sprints: 30-minute blocks of focused, quiet writing time (the sprints), interspersed with breaks where we can chat, ask questions, and share our writing experiences.

On March 14th, 2026, [AgentCon](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23agentcon&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) lands in Toronto, bringing together developers, engineers, and innovators shaping the future of AI agents. Expect deep‑dive talks, hands‑on learning, practical demos and plenty of networking with the AI community. This isn’t just another AI event, it’s where builders meet to talk real code. ✅ Ready to build the future? Register Now: [https://lnkd.in/dX5AVXRw](https://lnkd.in/dX5AVXRw)

🚨👉 To RSVP for this event, head to our [Luma event page](https://luma.com/wzaj4vzy). RSVPs are intentionally closed on Meetup.👈🚨 https://luma.com/wzaj4vzy ​**$90 · TAX INCLUDED — LUMA RSVP + PAYMENT REQUIRED TO CONFIRM YOUR SPOT** To reserve your spot, please **e-transfer $90 to** 📧 **techtankto@gmail.com** ​Registration is **confirmed only once payment is received**. Please include your **full name + “Code Diversity Clay & Connection”** in the transfer note. ​Spots are limited and will be filled on a **first-paid, first-confirmed** basis. is. *** ​This winter, we’re doing something a little different. ​For International Women’s Day, join **CodeDiversity ×** [TigerBaby](https://www.instagram.com/tigerbabycc) for a cozy, hands-on **pottery + coffee social** designed for **women and non-binary folks in tech** who want to connect, slow down, and have some fun. ​Instead of our usual discussion-based meetup, this event is intentionally low-pressure and creative — a chance to step away from screens, work with your hands, and spend time in good company. ​We’ll spend the afternoon: * ​sharing coffee and conversation * ​getting our hands dirty with clay *(no experience needed)* * ​escaping winter isolation in a warm, welcoming space * ​making new connections — **without networking pressure** *** ​🧱 What’s Included ​Your **$90 (tax included)** covers: * ​A guided pottery workshop led by [TigerBaby](https://www.instagram.com/tigerbabycc) * ​All materials * ​Firing of your finished piece *** ​🕰 Schedule ​**11:00 – 11:30** Welcome + mingle — grab something to eat or drink ​**11:30 – 1:30** Pottery workshop ​**1:30 – 2:00** Clean-up + wrap-up ​📍 **Creeds Coffee Shop** *** ​[TigerBaby Coffee & Clay](https://www.instagram.com/tigerbabycc) is a Toronto-based creative brand rooted in slowing down, working with your hands, and finding joy in everyday rituals. Founded by siblings Sarah—a ceramics artist—and Thomas—a self-proclaimed specialty coffee nerd—TigerBaby brings together craft, care, and community. ​In this hands-on pottery class, you’ll create your own ceramic mug from start to finish using hand-building techniques. This workshop is beginner-friendly and designed to feel calm, welcoming, and unhurried. You’ll be guided through shaping, attaching a handle, and refining your form, with plenty of time to explore the process and make the mug your own. Quick reminders: * ​This event is intended for **women & non-binary folks** * ​No prior pottery experience required * ​Attendance is confirmed **only after e-transfer is received** * ​Please make sure your **RSVP name matches your e-transfer name** ​If you’re craving connection, creativity, and a softer way to mark International Women’s Day, we’d love to have you join us! **Important Notes for RSVPs** We’re introducing a few questions when you RSVP to help us manage space and ensure an inclusive environment: ​​**This is a space created to support people who are underrepresented in tech.** We ask **cisgender men** (men who were assigned male at birth and identify as male) to respect this and not attend. ​​**Photography & Video Disclaimer:** By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken. These may be used for promotional purposes, including social media, websites, and other marketing materials. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the event organizer upon arrival. **Organized by TechTank** Let’s continue fostering diversity, inclusion, and innovation in tech—this month and beyond! **Join our vibrant community for the latest updates and continued discussions:** [https://linktr.ee/techtankto](https://linktr.ee/techtankto)

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

This meeting will be a discussion of the book "the Science of Aliens" by Mark Brake

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 **Abstract** TBD **YouTube Link** TBA

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

This month we’ll be ready The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the bookk!