Norris Igbinosa Erhabor, African Canadian Studies Network, 2023 recipient of a Graduate Student Scholarship
“Canada is an intellectually vibrant and culturally inclusive society that values collaboration, innovation, and global academic exchange.”
Enhancing science and environmental education in Canada and Nigeria is the focus of the research of Graduate Student Scholarship Awardee Norris Igbinosa Erhabor. The University of Benin graduate spent time in Summer 2025 at the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education where he worked with Dr Giuliano Reis.
“The fellowship significantly deepened my academic expertise in sustainability education and strengthened my research design and analytical skills. Personally, it enhanced my intercultural competence, confidence in international collaboration, and leadership abilities through conference presentations, symposium coordination, and networking with scholars from Canada, Brazil, and Nigeria,” he said. “It also broadened my perspective on how context-driven, low-cost innovations can transform global science and environmental education.”
During his time in Ontario, he met with experts in the field, participated in the Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE) Annual Conference (May 31–June 5, 2025), and organized an international symposium. With Dr Reis, they also developed multiple co-authored draft articles.
The next steps in Dr Erhabor’s academic journey include expanding the Canada–Nigeria comparative research on sustainability education, publishing the draft articles developed during the fellowship, and seeking further collaborative grants to strengthen transdisciplinary learning and environmental stewardship among educators and students.
We ask each awardee for words of wisdom to inspire a future Canadian Studies Scholar on a similar research journey. Dr Erhabor, who is also President of the African Network for Canadian Studies, shared: “Future Canadian Studies scholars should embrace the spirit of collaboration and openness that defines Canadian academia, engaging actively with mentors, attending conferences, and leveraging opportunities to build enduring cross-cultural research partnerships that advance knowledge and mutual understanding.”