Department of Anthropology participation in the 2024 CASCA (Canadian Anthropology Society)

(Left to Right) Emmy Marks, Dr. Andie Palmer, Allyson Brinston, Viktoriya Popovych

From May 15-18, 2024, a group of students and a professor from the University of Alberta's Department of Anthropology participated in the 2024 CASCA (Canadian Anthropology Society) conference held at UBC Okanagan campus in Kelowna. This year's conference, themed "Anthropology in Action: Bridging Gaps and Fostering Inclusion," offered a vibrant platform for discussing diverse anthropological issues. Our students presented their research on various topics, contributing to the conference's key themes of inclusivity, social justice, and the application of anthropological knowledge to contemporary issues.

Emmy Marks' presentation titled, "Patriarchy, Privilege, and Property: How Homeless Women Suffer from Erasure in Gender-Specific Housing Solutions," discussed the rising number of homeless women in Canada and the shortcomings of existing shelters. She emphasized the need to amplify the voices of homeless women, as current housing solutions often neglect their specific needs and experiences. Marks illustrated these issues through the life histories of three homeless women, highlighting gaps in gender-specific housing solutions.

Allyson Brinston had two presentations at this year's CASCA. Her first presentation titled, "Exploring the Intersection of Virtual Reality Technology and Indigenous Language Revitalization: A Comprehensive Analysis of Current Scholarly Work and Case Studies from VR Labs," explored the use of VR for preserving Indigenous languages. It combined a literature review with hands-on exploration of VR applications, highlighting various projects at the forefront of using immersive technology for language learning. These case studies demonstrated VR's potential to create immersive educational experiences, offering insights into the effectiveness and challenges of using VR for language learning and revitalization. Brinston's second presentation titled, "Posters, Peers, and Praise: Navigating My First CASCA Experience," was part of the 50th Anniversary Panel and highlighted the transformative impact of attending her first CASCA conference in 2022.

Viktoriya Popovych's presentation titled, "How can you call them Ukrainians? The Case of Ukrainian Soldiers Who Speak Russian or Surzhyk in the Armed Forces of Ukraine," touched upon the linguistic controversy ignited by former People's Deputy of Ukraine, Iryna Faron, in November 2023. Faron's statement that Ukrainian soldiers who speak Russian or surzhyk should not be considered Ukrainians sparked massive outrage, particularly among students at Lviv Polytechnic University, leading to her dismissal. Using this controversy as a case study, Popovich's paper explored how linguistic ideologies create divisions among Ukrainians, the ways individuals identify themselves and others through language use, and the future of the Ukrainian and Russian languages in Ukraine.

These presentations showcased the Department of Anthropology’s commitment to rigorous academic inquiry and its dedication to addressing pressing societal issues through an anthropological lens. The key themes of the conference resonate deeply with our department’s core values of scholarly excellence, community engagement, and fostering a critical understanding of diverse human experiences.

Engaging with scholars from across Canada and beyond, our students explored and continue to explore ways to apply anthropological insights to promote social change, aligning with the department’s mission to advance knowledge and understanding of the human condition. The conference was a valuable opportunity for our students and faculty to connect with peers, share their work, and gain fresh perspectives on their research.