Statement of Intent
As an openly queer South-Asian women in academia, I am writing to express my intent to apply for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Executive position in hopes of using my personal lived experiences as well as my diverse qualifications to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment within the psychology community. Throughout my academic and volunteer work, I have gained invaluable experience in advancing EDI initiatives. For example, as the President of the Racialized Students’ Collective at the University of Toronto, I have experience in not only carrying out various student-led initiatives aimed at fostering community but also working hand in hand with institutional organizations to promote equitable representation at all levels by bridging the gap between students and faculty.
Beyond leadership, my research contributions—including the Beyond Bullying Project and the Women’s Right to Risk initiative—have deepened my understanding of how discrimination, marginalization, and identity shape lived experiences. These projects have allowed me to develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities of discrimination, marginalization, and identity; un understanding that will guide my work within the JEDI Executive position.
As someone who is acutely aware of the historical and colonial exclusion of marginalized voices in academic spaces, my goal of holding this position is to promote diversity and inclusion by leveraging my position to uplift the unique experiences of BIPOC and queer student researchers and clinicians. With my background in research, leadership, and advocacy, I am eager to help coordinate and develop initiatives that foster an environment where historically excluded students feel valued and supported. I bring strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a deep commitment to anti-oppressive programming, and I look forward to contributing to meaningful, systemic change within the CPA.
Biography
I am a joint Master’s and PhD student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Waterloo, specializing in the experiences of BIPOC and Queer populations. I completed my Honors Bachelor of Science while concurrently specializing in psychological research and majoring in criminology, focusing on the victimization of Black and Indigenous Peoples within the Canadian justice system. As such, my academic journey has been shaped by a strong commitment to justice and equity, particularly as my research focuses on addressing disparities in mental health and examining how systems of privilege and oppression impact marginalized communities.
Originally intending to pursue law and policy reform, I discovered my passion for advocacy through leadership roles such as serving as President of the Woodsworth Racialized Students’ Collective and mentoring BIPOC high school students in the Summer Psychology Research Initiative (SPRINT). My time spent on academic and justice initiatives reinforced my trust in and commitment towards working within institutional systems to promote equity in a way that is not only supportive but also culturally responsive and empowering. Beyond academia, I am actively engaged in advocacy and community work, including serving as a crisis line responder. I recognize that BIPOC and Queer individuals frequently encounter systemic barriers to mental health care, and providing accessible and immediate support through these roles have only further strengthened my resolve to dismantle these inequities.
As both a researcher and a clinician-in-training, I see firsthand how psychology often fails to equitably serve marginalized populations due to limited representation in research and practice. My professional goal is to challenge epistemic injustice by advocating for genuine diversity and inclusion across all levels of institutional power. I believe that diverse perspectives are essential to advancing meaningful knowledge, and I am committed to ensuring that historically excluded voices are centered in psychological research, training, and practice.