Canadian Black Scientists

CBSN Career Chats: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Black STEM Experts
2025-11-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto)
All CBSN Members are invited to join us for the next CBSN Career Chat November 12, 2025
4pm ET
Topic: Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Black STEM Experts
with
Alexandra McCann
Executive Director of ONSIDE (Organization for Nova Scotia Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship)
This Career Chat will include an exploration of Alexandra McCann’s career path followed by moderated discussion about inclusive innovation and how black STEM experts can think about entrepreneurship.
Bio:
Alexandra “Alex” McCann is the Executive Director of ONSIDE, the Organization for Nova Scotia Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship, a community accelerator empowering rural and underrepresented groups through inclusive innovation-driven entrepreneurship (i+IDE) and collective impact. ONSIDE amplifies disruptive ideas and mobilizes collaboration to turn ideas into impact for a more prosperous and entrepreneurial future. ONSIDE is the sponsor of the Start Now Incubator a launchpad for diverse and rural women’s entrepreneurship across Canada, and the MIT REAP Focus – Nova Scotia program.
Alex holds an MA in Pacific Asian Studies from the University of London, School of Oriental African Studies (SOAS) and a double BA from the University of Virginia in Asian Studies and Anthropology. She is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) and a former member of the Board of Governors at the University of Kings College. She sat on the advisory board for SEATAC, an applied research and innovation centre for the ocean technology sector, and is currently on the expert panel on the state of Science, Technology & Innovation for the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA). Alex is obsessed with saving handwriting, enjoys travel, politics, and sampling all of Nova Scotia’s culinary delights!

Please contact Programs@BlackScientists.ca if you are a member looking for the registration link!
CBSN Career Chats (or C3) is a monthly, drop-in discussion series providing an opportunity for people exploring different career options to chat with experienced professionals for career insight, advice, and answers to their questions.

Second Wednesday of each month
November 2025 to May 2026
4pm ET

Each session will have a focus derived from member suggestions, although organic questions and conversations are expected and encouraged!
Share ideas for focal topics or offers for sharing professional insights on this form.
This series is open to CBSN Members and to contributors who will be invited by the program committee.

Being a Scholar Activist: Challenges, Contradictions & Possibilities
2025-11-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom, Canada
The Canadian Black Scientists Network is partnering with the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora; the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Black Caucus; and the Black Research Network (BRN), to host a webinar entitled
Being A Scholar Activist: Challenges, Contradictions and Possibilities
Against a backdrop of multiple social, political and economic crises, this talk is concerned with the responsibilities of academics.

Monday, November 24, 2025
6:00pm to 7:30pm (EST)
online

Featuring a joint Keynote following by Q&A
Speakers:

Dr. Laura Connelly (University of Sheffield).

Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at the University of Sheffield, UK. She serves as a Steering Group member of the Northern Police Monitoring Project, is a Trustee of the sex worker charity National Ugly Mugs, and chairs the international network, the Sex Work Research Hub.

Dr. Remi Joseph-Salisbury (University of Manchester)

Reader in Sociology at the University of Manchester. He is a Steering Group member of the Northern Police Monitoring Project, an advisory board member for the youth group Kids of Colour, an academic associate for the Stuart Hall Foundation, and a council member for the Institute of Race Relations. He is also a founding member of the No Police in Schools campaign.

Attendance is FREE, but Registration is required:
