One square kilometer. A different idea of the university

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Introduction

A university is not just a campus; it is also a place that is part of a neighbourhood, a place that coexists alongside its residents, its businesses, and its public spaces.

But how can we ensure that this proximity between the university and the neighbourhood develops into a genuine relationship? How can a university contribute to the life of its neighbourhood while learning from those who live there?

This is one of the central questions driving UQAM’s Quartier Latin project, which aims to transform the neighbourhood into a dynamic and inclusive space where learning, culture, research, and community life come together.

Today, Karine Morin is joined by Priscilla Ananian, Associate Vice-Rector for the Revitalization of UQAM’s Latin Quarter, and Lucie Dumais, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at UQAM.

Together, they explore how the university can truly become an active partner in its community and the role of the humanities in shedding light on the realities of a neighbourhood.

About the guests

Priscilla Ananian has been a full professor in the Department of Urban and Tourism Studies at the School of Management Sciences (ESG UQAM) since 2022, having joined the department in 2012 as an assistant professor. 

She holds a Ph.D. in Architectural and Urban Planning from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and a postdoctoral degree in urban planning from the same university.

At the time of her appointment, she was the director of the graduate program in urban studies at ESG UQAM; she also serves as director of the Observatory of Urban Living Environments.

Priscilla Ananian was appointed associate vice-rector for the Revitalization of the Latin Quarter on December 14, 2023. She took office on January 8, 2024, for a five-year term.

Lucie Dumais is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at UQAM’s Faculty of Humanities. 

She holds a master’s degree in sociology from the Université de Montréal and a Ph.D. in political science from the London School of Economics and Political Science; her research focuses in particular on social policy, the social economy, and the social inclusion and participation of people with disabilities.