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Shezadi Khushal is a PhD Candidate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Program. Pursuing a PhD has been a lifelong aspiration for Shezadi, who was born in Tanzania, East Africa. From a young age, it was instilled that education represented empowerment, freedom, and a pathway to a brighter future. This belief became a core part of her identity, fueling her dedication to academic excellence. Shezadi chose С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ specifically because of its unparalleled reputation of transformative leadership and driving meaningful policy changes in education. С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion deeply aligned with her personal and professional values, particularly as she focuses on human rights and systemic change within educational systems. 

Why I love my program/what it has done to shape my academic trajectory/research identity

The Educational Leadership and Policy Program has been instrumental in shaping Shezadi’s research identity. The supportive and collaborative academic environment gave Shezadi the confidence and expertise to pursue research that aims to create meaningful change in education, ultimately influencing how leaders and educators approach equity and human rights in their practices. Through instrumental mentors such as Joseph Flessa and Marvin Zuker, Shezadi was exposed to leadership theories, the power of research in generating insights to complex societal challenges and the importance of leadership in driving systemic change. This ignited her passion for academic inquiry and empowered her to develop solutions that address real-world challenges, and ensuring that her research has a tangible and lasting impact on education policy and leadership.

Opportunities I have taken to develop my research through collaborative specialization/extra-curriculars etc.

Shezadi’s lifelong commitment to education and learning is deeply reflected in her dedication to advancing principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice, and has led her to actively seek opportunities to develop her research through extracurricular activities. By participating in interdisciplinary research initiatives and engaging with diverse academic and professional networks, she has broadened the scope of her research by incorporating multiple perspectives.

Her contributing to extracurricular activities, such as organizing events like the Human Rights and Equity Symposium and delivering education workshops for secondary students demonstrates her ability to connect academic inquiry with real-world applications. These experiences have not only enriched her research, but also strengthened her capacity to influence education policy and leadership on a broader scale. Shezadi continues to seek avenues to deepen her expertise and contribute meaningfully to academic and professional discourse, ensuring her research drives systemic change and addresses pressing societal issues. 

Summary of my doctoral research project and key highlights

Shezadi critically analyzes school board policies in Ontario, assessing their impact on racialized students and their role in combating discrimination and fostering equity. She focuses on the application of these policies and evaluates their effectiveness in addressing systemic racism within the education system. Shezadi aims to leverage her expertise in human rights education, anti-oppressive practices, racial literacy, and cultural humility to generate meaningful change in educational systems, structures, policies, programs, and processes.

Through empirical studies, literature reviews, and theoretical analyses, Shezadi contributes new knowledge and perspectives to the field, informing policies, practices, and interventions aimed at promoting equality and justice.

Some key highlights of her research include: exploring barriers and challenges to implementing human rights in K-12 education, identifying critical gaps between policy development and its application in schools, developing frameworks for educational leaders that incorporate racial literacy and cultural competence, enabling leaders to reflect on their own positionality and make more informed decisions, and creating actionable strategies for educators and policymakers to bridge the gap between theory and practice in human rights education.

Shezadi is fortunate to be working under the supervision of Dr. Ann E. Lopez, whose expertise has enriched her research, inspiring her to dive deeper into critical issues of equity, inclusion, and social justice in education. Dr. Lopez's mentorship has encouraged Shezadi to explore innovative methodologies, engage in meaningful scholarly discourse, and push the boundaries of her work to create impactful, real-world solutions.

Other research work/projects I have done during my time at С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ

Through her leadership positions at the University of Toronto (Chair, Race and Ethnicity Caucus and Vice President, Academic Affairs, LHAE DSA), Shezadi has driven initiatives aimed at raising consciousness about race, identity, power, systems of oppression, discrimination, intersectionality, and human rights. She conceptualized and organized two Human Rights and Equity Symposiums focused on Racism in Education and Navigating Identity and Belonging through Human Rights Education. These events brought together faculty, staff, and academics to explore their legal roles and responsibilities while promoting equitable practices in educational environments. Additionally, Shezadi led an anti-hate campaign that provided С»ÆÊéÊÓƵ students with a platform to engage in critical conversations on combating hate on campus. The campaign's impact extended beyond the immediate participants by equipping attendees with tools and resources to advocate for anti-hate actions across their academic, professional, and personal networks. Shezadi also organized the Black History Month Film Screening, Social Justice Art Night, and Hiking for a Cause, all aimed at celebrating marginalized voices and fostering safe spaces for dialogue. 100% of the proceeds from the hike supported True North Aid, a local Indigenous organization that shipped over 10,000 backpacks and school supplies to elementary and high school students in northern communities.