Suad Ahmed

Suad Ahmed (she/her) is a community-based researcher with a passion for advancing social justice knowledge. With extensive experience in various research projects in the academic, government, and non-profit international and domestic sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Rooted in her Somali heritage, Suad’s current research focuses on the empowerment of Somali youth. Through her work, she seeks to amplify the voices of Somali youth and foster a greater sense of belongingness and agency within her community. Alongside her academic pursuits, Suad immerses herself in the beauty of Arabic language learning.

Report

Investigating Anti-Racism and Belonging 

From 2018-2023, CREAN’s ARIE project in British Columbia sought to comprehend racism in public high schools, propose anti-racism initiatives, and champion better educational outcomes for racialized students, driven by the recognition of the detrimental impact of racism on their health, safety, and learning. Building on ARIE’s findings, this project seeks to explore the impacts of racism and anti-racism projects on students’ well-being and sense of belonging. By utilizing this research for advocacy and policy development, CREAN aims to produce materials that spotlight the importance of anti-racism work for youth in BC, aligning with their mission to empower vulnerable and racialized youth and improve community connections. 

The Coastal Research, Education and Advocacy Network (CREAN) empowers vulnerable youth through research, education, and advocacy, utilizing community-based research to deepen connections and improve the lives of youth, families, and communities. They collaborate with residents and community leaders to advocate locally and nationally for youth, aiming to enhance urban living conditions. 

Read Suad’s blog: A Look at Spatiality in Fostering a Sense of Belonging in Schools

In this blog post, Suad examines how spatial belongingness impacts Black students’ educational journeys and offers practical strategies from background research and master’s research, for creating inclusive learning environments.