Introduction to the Special Issue: Proceedings for the 2021 Atlantic EducationGraduate Student Conference

Angelina Heer is an MEd candidate in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Angelina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (2011) from Simon Fraser University and is in her fourth year in the MEd Counselling program at UNB (2021).She is a current professional member of the Canadian Counselling Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). She completed her counselling internship at Apatawsuwikuwam "Come Back to Life Lodge", under the clinical supervision of Dr. Jenny Rowett. Angelina’s MEd research topic explores Indigenous adult needs for community re-entry from a federal prison, from a wholistic perspective.

Ms Sasha V. Nandlal is a PhD student in Educational Studies from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and is supervised by Dr. Tess Miller has been a secondary teacher for the past nine years in her home country of Trinidad and Tobago. She currently works as Research Assistant at UPEI and is also a certified substitute teacher with the Prince Edward Island Public School Board. Her areas of research interests are Physical Education, Inclusive Education, Programme Evaluation and Curriculum Development. A life-long learner, she views the education system as a microcosm of society offering opportunities to test learn and improve proficiency through the unisons of knowledge, experience, technical skills and interpersonal skills.

Alicia F. Noreiga is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick where she pursues studies in rural education. Alicia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (2011) and a Master’s degree in Education Curriculum and Administration (2016) from the University of New Brunswick. Alicia’s research path includes critical participatory methodologies that amplify the voices of marginalized groups such as Black, queer, and rural communities; and their intersections. Alicia also works with groups to promote initiatives aimed at raising awareness of issues affecting Black and international university students.