Call It What It Is

Imposterization in Academic Spaces

Authors

  • Juan Carlos López Acadia University
  • Elyana Matos

Abstract

A recent article, Stop telling women they have imposter syndrome (Tulshyan and Burey, 2021), discusses the idea of imposterization without explicitly using the term that others have since adopted (Gutiérrez, 2021; Holmes et al., 2022; Phelan, 2024). In this session, we will be framing our experiences navigating academic spaces by articulating how the intersectionalities of our identities have shaped our academic careers as migrant scholars. We will argue that instead of placing the onus on academics belonging to equity deserving groups for ‘feeling’ as imposters, many of the common practices in academia are the root cause of these feelings. Rather than having imposter syndrome, these academics are being made imposters…have been imposterized. We will discuss how to dismantle the barriers that keep marginalised people from fully participating in academic spaces. We advocate for recognizing such barriers by sharing our experiences – among ourselves as well as with others – and naming them for what they are.

Author Biographies

Juan Carlos López, Acadia University

Juan Carlos López is a soil microbial ecologist who also works, in collaboration with students and colleagues, in addressing aspects of education that deal with pedagogy, inclusion and student success. He is the Assistant Dean of Equity Diversity and Inclusion for the Faculty or Pure and Applied Science where he works in advancing EDIAR principles in the way our academic systems function. As the Director of Teaching and Learning for the Maple League of Universities, Juan Carlos develops new programming and continues with existing initiatives to showcase pedagogical practices and strategies, always infused with social justice practices in higher education.

Elyana Matos

Elyana Matos is a foreign language instructor who has lived, trained and worked in Europe, South and North America. She is a passionate adult educator with several years specializing in teaching both English and Spanish as additional languages to a variety of learners, including university students and adult newcomers to Canada. With a strong commitment to creating safe and supportive learning environments, Elyana enacts principles of respect, acceptance and inclusion in her work inside and outside the classroom.    

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Published

2024-12-14

Issue

Vol. 27 (2024)

Section

Abstracts

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