Dr. Paul Huebener, a professor of English at AU, delves into the public obsession with sleep and its absence. By framing sleep as a cultural issue, we can uncover the competing agendas surrounding it. Dr. Paul Huebener illustrates how the humanities can challenge prevailing perceptions of sleep, revealing it as a space where values are cultivated and cultural debates take shape. Starring: AU Professor Dr. Paul Huebener

In this powerful episode, Indigenous Circle members Lexis Roy and Molly Salter open up about their experiences at Athabasca University, highlighting the importance of community and cultural connection. As we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Lexis and Molly share their thoughts on how we can collectively work towards a more inclusive future. Don't miss their book and movie recommendations that showcase Indigenous excellence and resilience. Starring: Indigenous Circle at...

AUSU President Chantel Groening and Executive Director Jodi Campbell had the joy of attending the 2024 Athabasca University convocation held in June and they share their experiences of watching hundreds of AU students graduate. Enjoy experiencing the AU convocation through their stories of seeing this milestone event first hand, including watching student families cheer them on to get their degree, and the hard work and dedication required to earn those credentials. Starring: AUSU President...

AUSU hosted our annual Pride celebration in June, with a presentation highlighting recent positive changes at Athabasca University by Dr. Alain May, Associate Vice President for Student and Faculty Relations followed up by a presentation on 2SLGBTQIA+ legal advocacy by AJ Adams at Egale Canada, a Canadian organization providing research, education, and awareness, and advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. The event was originally on June 13, 2024. Starring:...

Members of AUSU's Indigenous Circle along with Robyn Soulier-Ritchot, an Indigenous entrepreneur, take the time to discuss Indigenous History Month along with some tips and tricks for navigating Athabasca University as an Indigenous student. Starring: Amanda Leeman, Robyn Soulier-Ritchot, Neenah Brown, & Lexis Roy

AUSU celebrated Asian Heritage Month with an inspiring event featuring Josephine Pon. Josephine was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in April 2019 and served as Alberta’s Minister of Seniors and Housing, She is also celebrated for her extensive background in banking and her passionate involvement in community service. She looked at the compelling theme “Unlocking the Potential of Diversity: How Immigration Strengthens Our Country and Fulfills the Canadian Dream." looking at the...

AUSU Councillors Blake Collett and Allie Wojtaszek offer some advice from seasoned veterans on how to find an invigilator for your exams, how to book the exam itself, and how to make sure the technical side of getting your exam setup doesn't affect the exam itself. Starring: AUSU Councillors Blake Collett and Allie Wojtaszek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

Our outgoing Executive Committee takes a look at their past accomplishments and what is coming next for the Athabasca University Students' Union. Naju, Chantel, and Natalia dissect their terms for what they are most proud of and what work will continue after they are gone. Starring: AUSU President Naju Syed, VP Finance and Administration Chantel Bradley, VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek, and Executive Director Jodi Campbell

AUSU commemorated Black History Month with an event on February 8 intended to inspire, motivate, and engage students on engineering social justice, with speakers Dr. Veronica Fynn Bruey and Dr. Chika C. Daniels. Dr. Bruey is a multi-award-winning scholar, who has researched, taught, consulted, and presented at conferences in over 30 countries. Furthermore, as a war survivor and Indigenous Liberian migrant herself, she brings personal experience to her work in post-secondary education. Dr....

Are you interested in graduate studies in psychology or counselling? Are you looking for research experience in psychology but don't know where to start? Dr. Kharah Ross, a psychology faculty member at AU with a background in health psychology, gave a talk on projects completed by her undergraduate trainees and talk about upcoming research opportunities for students in her lab, including how to obtain an Honours-like experience in Psychology at AU. This talk was recorded on January 11, 2024...

AU professor Dr. Eloy Rivas-Sanchez delves into how the practice of the sociological imagination – a fundamental concept in sociology – can provide students with the cognitive and methodological tools needed to engage in social research that is meaningful, collaborative, relevant to communities, and committed to positive social change. Starring: Dr. Eloy Rivas-Sanche

Episode Elisa Neven-Pugh joins VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek to discuss the different approaches to creating a welcoming campus community for all students, especially students with disabilities. This podcast builds on past discussions on advocacy for students with disabilities and looks beyond just the educational environment to all of society.

Alberta is often seen as a land of the political eccentric. Is this all there is? Dr. Frits Pannekoek argues that there is a lot more! Dr. Pannekoek is a Professor of History at Athabasca University and previously he was Director of Historic Sites and Archives for Alberta for 25 years, the University librarian at the University of Calgary for 10 years, and President of Athabasca University from 2005 to 2014. He has written widely on Alberta history and heritage preservation. Starring: Dr....

Simon Brascoupé’s presentation, Athabasca University Indigenous Business: Culture, Diversity, and Sustainability, explores how the future of sustainable economies can be found in Indigenous enterprises and communities. This was recorded on September 28, 2023 as a part of AUSU's Indigenous Student Week. Starring: Simon Brascoupé, AU Faculty of Business

AUSU Councillor Blake Collett is joined by University of Lethbridge student Brittany Allen to talk about the pros and cons of doing university courses online. They also provide some handy tips for AU students to get the most of their education, especially if they are coming from a brick and mortar school. Starring: University of Lethbridge Students' Union VP Academic Brittany Allen, AUSU Councillor Blake Collett, and AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

In advance of September's Welcome Week by AUSU we sit down with the deans at Athabasca University to chat about the coming year and what tips they have for both new and returning students. We also discover what hidden talents your deans have outside of being accomplished academics and administrators. Starring: Dr. Steven Johnson, Dr. Manijeh Mannani, Dr. Lisa Watson, Dr. Shauna Zenteno, and AUSU Executive Director Jodi Campbel

The newest AUSU Councillors, Manmeet Kaur and Chantel Bradley, share their experiences at Athabasca University that led them to run for Students' Council and eventually to being elected as Vice Presidents at AUSU. Manmeet and Chantel speak about the benefits of getting involved, and provide some insight to what their academic path looks like while at AUSU, as well as after graduation - and how an Athabasca University education is a foundation for their success. Starring: AUSU VP External...

AUSU VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek presents on student accessibility, accommodations, disability activism, terminology, and representation and how these apply to the student experience and student leadership.Natalia is a disabled and chronically ill fourth-year student at Athabasca University (AU) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), Natalia also brings valuable insights and knowledge that they have collected while advocating for increased accessibility and...

Dr. Henry Tsang, an Assistant Professor at Athabasca University, gives a talk on Canada's Chinatown architecture and its importance to the cities they are located in and to the Chinese-Canadian community. Dr. Tsang is an award-winning architect in the RAIC Centre for Architecture. His design, teaching, and research work explores the intersections between sustainability, health, and culture in the built environment. He teaches virtual design studios and coordinates courses in the...

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day two members of the Indigenous Circle at AUSU share their experiences and perspective on their university education. They look at the difficult history of Indigenous peoples in Canada as well as sharing some role models and leaders in the Indigenous community. Starring: Indigenous Circle at AUSU members Jessica Anderson and Amanda Leeman and Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Episode NAUSU President Naju Syed and Executive Director of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) Alexandra Ages discuss the coming Alberta election on May 29, 2023, why it's important for post-secondary students to vote, and what AUSU and CAUS are doing to fight voter apathy before election day. Starring: AUSU President Naju Syed, CAUS Executive Director Alexandra Ages, and AUSU Governance and Advocacy Coordinator Duncan Wojtaszek

Trishtina Godoy- Contois talks about the rise of artificial intelligence with Dr. Reza Maalek. They look at the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in an academic environment and the need to ensure society is educated on the use of AI in the modern world. Starring: 2022-23 AUSU VP External Trishtina Godoy-Contois & Dr. Reza Maalek

VP Community and Wellness Natalia Iwanek looks at ways we can all make a difference in improving the equity, diversity, and inclusion, starting with exploring inclusive language along with Kelly Gordon from Athabasca University. Kelly and Natalia look at the power of language and the ways it can be used to include people and groups often excluded. Natalia then interviews three members of AUSU's EDI Committee on how they are taking action to make their campus better for everyone. Starring:...

EpisoAUSU President Karen Fletcher chats with AU Deputy Provost Anne-Marie Scott to discuss how exams are different at a distance education institution, and why they are different. They look at how exams are proctored online and in-person, and how students can set up the exam environment they need in order to be successful. Starring: AUSU President Karen Fletcher & Athabasca University Deputy Provost Anne-Marie Scott