Samantha Brennan
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samanthabrennan.bsky.social
Samantha Brennan
@samanthabrennan.bsky.social

Philosopher, feminist, ethicist, cyclist.
Dean of Arts, University of Guelph.
My Erdős number is 3.
My pronouns are she/her.🌈

http://linktr.ee/sjbrennan

Samantha Jane Brennan is a British-born philosopher and scholar of women's studies who is currently dean of the College of Arts and faculty member in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. She was previously a professor in the Department of Women's Studies and Feminist Research at Western University, Canada. Brennan was Department Chair of Philosophy at Western from 2002 to 2007, and 2008–2011. She is a past president of the Canadian Philosophical Association (2017–18). .. more

Political science 53%
Sociology 13%
Pinned
For new followers: My main bluesky themes are the College of Arts at Guelph where I'm Dean, philosophy (my home academic discipline), feminism and fitness (connected to my book and blog), and all things bike-related.

Conestoga College plans support staff layoffs in latest round of cost-cutting measures

A nearly 80 per cent drop in international student enrolment at the college is being blamed for measures to 'rightsize' the organization

www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/c...
Conestoga College plans support staff layoffs in latest round of cost-cutting measures
A nearly 80 per cent drop in international student enrolment at the college is being blamed for measures to 'rightsize' the organization, wrote president John Tibbits in a Thursday email to staff
www.guelphtoday.com

A climate solution you can eat: the world’s first plant-based salmon is made in Toronto

nowtoronto.com/news/a-clima...
A climate solution you can eat: the world’s first plant-based salmon is made in Toronto - NOW Toronto
Aiming to reduce gas emissions from food production, these Toronto innovators have developed the world’s first plant-based salmon.
nowtoronto.com

The State Department is instructing its staff to reject visa applications from people who worked on fact-checking, content moderation or other activities the Trump administration considers "censorship" of Americans' speech.

www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing 'censorship'
The order is focused on applicants for H-1B visas, which are frequently used by tech companies and is part of a campaign by the Trump administration against online content moderation.
www.npr.org

The US is close to an institutional collapse across multiple public health agencies. Trump/RFK have purged anyone with expertise, many have fled and they’ve been replaced w functionaries who are either incompetent or malicious. I don’t think many understand how close to the edge we are right now.
a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
ALT: a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
media.tenor.com

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

There's been weirdly little coverage of this point. Trump/ McMahon are demanding an end to gender-based affirmative action in admissions and they clearly still believe we're in the world where aa benefits young *women* applicants, but that world is long gone.

www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Trump’s attack on DEI may hurt college men, particularly White men
The Trump administration’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion also targets gender. The ban may impact gender balancing practices that often benefit college men.
www.washingtonpost.com

Practice-based Perspectives | Creative Research with Michelle Wilson and John Phillips

Learn more about the creative research and distinct processes of Dr. Michelle Wilson and Dr. John Phillips.

artgalleryofguelph.ca/program/prac...
Practice-based Perspectives | Creative Research with Michelle Wilson and John Phillips  - AGG
artgalleryofguelph.ca

New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds
Pace of area’s temperature rise, outpaced in US only by Alaskan Arctic, apparently increased in past five years
www.theguardian.com

Gender stereotypes, pink toolboxes filled with make up, and career choices. I enjoyed chatting with CBC's Manjula Selvarajah.

uoguel.ph/f526c
Media Player
uoguel.ph

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

I'm feeling youthful today.

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

Why are so many skilled immigrants leaving Canada?

The Star's @ghadaa.bsky.social sits down for a chat on #ThisMatters
Listen: Why so many skilled immigrants are leaving Canada
According to the findings of a recent study one in five highly skilled immigrants are leaving Canada within 25 years of arriving here
www.thestar.com

"this conversation is going to leave you feeling inspired and enlivened... maybe you're going to have a couple ideas about how you can actually do something"

Alex Madva and I unruin everything with Adam Conover

youtu.be/A0O6p4p_vfs?...
Philosophers Explain How One Person Can Make a Difference with Alex Madva and Michael Brownstein
YouTube video by Adam Conover
youtu.be

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

In an unusually far-reaching move, the University of Alabama suspended two student-run magazines, about fashion and Black culture, citing DOJ guidance about "unlawful discrimination.” https://chroni.cl/4prl8yw
A University Shuts Down 2 Campus Magazines Because They Might Look Like DEI
The suspensions are the latest in cuts to programs that would seem to support minority students. Experts say the moves violate the First Amendment.
www.chronicle.com

Reposted by Samantha Brennan

Very interesting parallels between how Trump is using the pardon power and how certain provincial premiers are using the notwithstanding clause (yes yes, the latter is technically a legislative, rather than executive, power). Both valid constitutional instruments, both being radically abused.

Reposted by Kris Inwood

Earning more, eating better and environmentally resilient: the impact of the bicycle in the developing world shown in new study

A two-year study from the World Bicycle Relief charity showed significant returns on investment and the bike's power as a "catalytic tool"...

road.cc/content/news...
Earning more, eating better and environmentally resilient: the impact of the bicycle in the developing world shown in new study
A two-year study from the World Bicycle Relief charity showed significant returns on investment and the bike's power as a "catalytic tool"
road.cc

As debate about the cost and purpose of higher education intensifies, humanities are often the first target. Yet evidence shows that far from being outdated or indulgent, humanities degrees cultivate critical skills, resilience and viable career paths

www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/case-...
The case for degrees that teach us how to think
As debate about the cost and purpose of higher education intensifies, the humanities are often the first target. Yet evidence shows that far from being outdated or indulgent, humanities degrees cultiv...
www.timeshighereducation.com

My Cure for Student Reading Fatigue? Movies.
In my university English courses, I’m working with screens instead of against them

macleans.ca/the-year-ahe...
My Cure for Student Reading Fatigue? Movies. - Macleans.ca
In my university English courses, I'm working with screens instead of against them
macleans.ca

This #GivingTuesday, support the College of Arts and help #UofG students studying history, philosophy, languages, the creative arts, and more(!) explore these big questions with the time, freedom, and resources they need to learn, imagine, and lead.

Donate now: uoguel.ph/k9gor
Improve Life | Make a Gift - University of Guelph
uoguel.ph

She’s on a Mission to Make the World More Bike-Friendly

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
She’s on a Mission to Make the World More Bike-Friendly
www.nytimes.com