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Ontario high school students earning course credits in Law and Justice at Laurentian University

Ontario high school students earning course credits in Law and Justice at Laurentian University

A dozen grade 12 students enroll in university courses as part of a pilot project.

(May 26, 2025) - Grade 12 students from Francophone high schools recently benefited from course offering in Law and Justice at Laurentian University, as part of a pilot project. 

Championed by School of Liberal Arts, Associate Professor Stéphanie Martens, PhD and Full Professor Michel Giroux, PhD, the initiative enabled students in the pre-university (4U) stream to register for Introduction to Legal Studies (JURI1106) and Introduction to Criminal Law (JURI1107) courses. Eligible students were granted access to the courses at no cost, offering them valuable early exposure to postsecondary education.

Laurentian's Office of Francophone Affairs collaborated closely with the Faculty of Arts to facilitate access. Patrick Venne, Innovation and Development Specialist, helped coordinate efforts among participating high schools and school boards. "High school staff are heroes, working hard to meet the needs of their students,” he said. “This initiative is a way to give 4U students access to courses they might not otherwise be able to take.”

Upon completion of the experience, students received an official attestation from Laurentian University’s Registrar which will allow these three-credit courses to be recorded on their official transcripts following their official enrolment to the University.

The Office of Francophone Affairs, in partnership with Laurentian faculties, is exploring the possibility of replicating the project on a larger scale to allow even greater participation.

"Being a Francophone in a minority environment means we have to innovate and collaborate. We have to work hand in hand with school boards, community organizations and families in our communities. Laurentian University supports Francophones. It's not always easy, but we count ourselves lucky to be part of the precious network that is la francophonie,” added Venne.

“This was an incredible learning opportunity for our students who partook in this initiative,” said Brigitte Raymond, Orientation Counsellor from Sudbury local École secondaire Macdonald-Cartier. “Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience that provided them a glimpse of what postsecondary life is like, better equipping them for their future academic journeys.”

This project reflects Laurentian University’s commitment to accessible, inclusive, and innovative education—particularly for Francophone learners. By bridging the gap between secondary and postsecondary education, the initiative not only empowers students but also strengthens the broader Francophone academic ecosystem in Ontario. As plans for expansion take shape, this model has the potential to become a transformative pathway for student success.

How Linguistics is Foundational to AI, with Dr. Banafsheh Karamifar

How Linguistics is Foundational to AI, with Dr. Banafsheh Karamifar

Cutting-edge Topics with New Professor in the School of Liberal Arts

December 12, 2024 - Dr. Banafsheh Karamifar’s interdisciplinary expertise bridges linguistics, critical discourse analysis, education, and emergent technologies, brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to the university. Passionate about language and culture diversity, Dr. Karamifar combines academic rigor with an emphasis on practical applications, aiming to address real-world challenges in education and communication.

Dr. Karamifar earned her PhD in text semantics and critical discourse analysis from the University of Paris Nanterre in France. With fluency in Persian, French, and English, she has taught at many institutions. Most recently, she served as a senior researcher at the University of Ottawa. There, Dr. Karamifar’s focus was on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and higher education.

Now a professor in the School of Liberal Arts, teaching primarily linguistics courses in the French as a Second Language program, Dr. Karamifar’s passion lies in advancing linguistic diversity in digital spaces and enhancing second-language education by leveraging emerging technology. How does a scholar with a specialization in linguistics end up immersed in the study of AI?

Dr. Karamifar says that though we often think of engineering, computer science, and technology when we think of AI, emerging technologies in AI are intrinsically connected to linguistics, critical discourse analysis and humanity.

“Linguistics and AI are deeply intertwined,” Dr. Karamifar explains. “The development of generative AI (like chatbots and translation tools), for instance, is built on linguistic theories—understanding how words function in sentences and broader contexts. As a critical discourse analyst, I find it fascinating to explore how generative AI as socio-technological tools shape our societies, everyday lives, communication and education.”

Dr. Karamifar recently co-organized the Colloquium on AI in Higher Education, at the intersection of stakeholders perspectives, a bilingual event supported by eCampusOntario and QuadC. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration in tackling the opportunities and challenges posed by AI. Two Laurentian graduate students—one in computer science developing assistive AI technology for visually impaired users, and another in biology exploring AI’s role in her own studies—showcased the university’s strength in interdisciplinary research.

“The students provided impressive talks as Masters students among PhD students and professional researchers,” says Dr. Karamifar. “This is testament to the ubiquity of AI utilization, indiscriminate of experience or discipline.” Her dual focus on the social and technical dimensions of AI mirrors her belief in the necessity of dialogue between humanities and sciences for a more equitable society.

Dr. Karamifar’s appointment aligns with Laurentian’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity. Her vision includes fostering cross-faculty collaboration to create research opportunities that explore the social, ethical, and technological impacts of AI. “AI is a transformative technology that connects disciplines,” she notes. “By bringing together diverse perspectives, we can find more comprehensive and impactful solutions.”

"Dr. Karamifar is a welcome addition to the Laurentian community,” says Dr. Malcolm Campbell, Provost & Vice-President, Academic. “Her interdisciplinary expertise and global perspective bring innovation and inclusivity to the forefront of academic inquiry. Dr. Karamifar’s expertise in linguistics paired with her interest in artificial intelligence bridges critical fields, fostering a deeper understanding of how language and technology intersect. We are eager to see her vision inspire students and promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the Laurentian community."

Dr. Karamifar has embraced Laurentian University’s commitment to bilingualism and innovation, seeing it as an ideal environment to further her research and inspire students. She looks forward to fostering connections that promote language diversity, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

“I feel that Laurentian is a perfect fit for me,” she says. “The institutional values, particularly the commitment to bilingualism and plurculturalism, makes it a place where I feel proud to be and confident that I can bring my expertise in linguistics and emergent technologies to a diverse, dynamic academic environment.”

Laurentian University Hiring 12 New Limited Term Faculty Members

Laurentian University Hiring 12 New Limited Term Faculty Members

Hires support needed in multiple programs and schools.

(August 17, 2022) - Laurentian University is investing in the faculty complement by adding 12 limited-term faculty members across multiple academic departments. The roles will support teaching and learning for the upcoming academic year and will extend into the 2023 academic year.

The wide range of programs and schools for which faculty members are being sought includes:

  • School of Indigenous Relations
  • Nursing  
  • School of Liberal Arts
  • Engineering 
  • Computational Sciences
  • Business Administration 
  • Library and Archives

“This investment into our teaching and learning capacity will undoubtedly improve the student experience. Students will continue to have the opportunity to learn directly from their professors through personalized learning.” said Jeff Bangs, Chair of Laurentian University's Board of Governors. 

The university’s staff and faculty are eager to welcome back students for Orientation activities, beginning on September 1, as well as for the first official day of classes, September 7, 2022. 

A full list of faculty positions that are currently open can be found at: https://laurentian.ca/careers/faculty-vacancies.