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The SHIFT Journal of Social Transformation

Seeing systems change in action

In this edition, we hear from Concordia faculty member Vijay Kolinjivadi and communications practitioner Yixuan Ma with calls to dissolve the line between academic research and society from either side of it. And in reflections on their year as SHIFT Research and Advocacy Program Fellows, our 2025-2026 cohort paints a vibrant picture of the many ways that research can contribute to community organizing and social movements. In Erykah Kangbeya and Hope Moon’s pieces, we see research that reshaped strategy. Erykah’s work supported DESTA Black Community Network to understand the barriers to postcarceral employment from the perspective of employers while Hope drew Climate Justice Montreal to focus their campaign for free, expanded, and accessible transit on youth in the short-term. Ateş Balsoy's work with Welcome Haven shows how research can support organizers to ground campaigns in lessons from previous organizing efforts. Finally, both Marbella Carlos’ research with the Kapwa Centre and Rebeca Esquivel’s with Growing A.R.C. render visible gaps in current systems to strengthen coalition-building and broader advocacy efforts.

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About the SHIFT Journal

As a non-academic university unit, the SHIFT Journal provides an avenue for our partners to publish through an institution regardless of their involvement in academia, and outside of the challenges of rigid publication rules. 

Shared power is SHIFT’s core operating principle. With the Journal, we hope to share not just the lessons we've learned over the many years of SHIFT, but also the many exciting and alternative paths that our wider community is taking towards a more just future. 

Read more stories from Concordia

Read stories about SHIFT and the Office of Community Engagement published within Concordia.