“The true focus of revolutionary change is never merely the oppressive situations which we seek to escape, but that piece of the oppressor which is planted deep within each of us”
-Audre Lorde, from Sister Outsider (p.123)
I firmly believe that as social scientists we have broad commitments to disseminating our research not just within the academy but also to the public. There are at least two interrelated reasons for this.
First, social science offers important tools in understanding and transforming the social in equitable ways. As Lorde notes, if we are to ensure that the revolutionary change we seek in society is truly transformative, then our focus must not just be on particular situations and institutions but also the deeply embedded seed of oppressive knowledge within all of us that produces and reproduces those same institutions and situations.
Second, as social scientists we must be accountable to the public (especially the communities they work with) for the types of research projects we engage in and the knowledge we produce. Knowledge is always-already value-laden, owing to its socially situated quality. As such, to account for our own piece of the oppressor, we must ensure that our work is publicly accessible and reported.
Social Action Initiatives
Completed. Results released 2022. Social Resilience and PolyQueer Families
Drawing on the resistant knowledge projects of queer phenomenology and intersectionality, this research project examines the particular experiences of women in multiple-partner families.
Invited Public Talks, Panels, & Roundtables
2021 “An Orientation to Polyamorous and PolyQueer Families” United Church of Canada (Forthcoming/March).
2020. “Seeing and Being Seen: Bi-visibility Week Discussion on Visibility and Resistance.” Possibilities: Calgary BI+ Community.
2020. “How to Take Meaningful Action for Human Rights Digitally.” Amnesty International Club, University of Calgary.
2018a. “Polyamory and the Intersections of Identity.” Possibilities: Calgary Bi+ Community.
Published Op-Eds, Open Letters, Articles, and Blogs
2020a. Anderson, Jamie, Pedrom Nasiri, and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Subcommittee. “Remembering Trans Lives, Resisting Transmisogynoir, & Reimagining Trans Futures.” Gender and Sexuality Alliance, University of Calgary.
2020b. Nasiri, Pedrom, and Sean Bristowe. “Challenging Unjust Systems: Pride is a Riot.” Gender and Sexuality Alliance, University of Calgary.
2020c. Nasiri, Pedrom. “Open Letter from the GSA Gender and Sexuality Alliance Subcommittee re: Racial Violence Perpetrated by Calgary Pride and Calgary Queer Arts Society.” Gender and Sexuality Alliance, University of Calgary.
In the News
2021 “New YYC Ethnography Lab Provides Experiential Insight into Lived Experiences” The Gauntlet, University of Calgary Student Paper.
2019a. “Polygamy Still in the Shadows.” Interview, CTV NEWS.
2019b. “Polyamory Challenging Family Norms.” Interview, CTV NEWS.
2019c. “Polyamorous: Exploring the Relationships, Misconceptions, and Emotional Connections of Polyamorous Individuals.” Interview, Calgary Journal.
Community Engagement
2017-Present. Co-Founder and Board Member, PolyamQ: Calgary’s Queer and Polyamorous Community.
2020. Conference Organizer, Horizons: Conference on Non-Traditional Families and Intimacies.
2019. Board Member and Chair of the Cultural Competence Committee, Calgary Outlink: Calgary’s Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity.
2017. Conference Organizer, Horizons: Conference on Non-Traditional Families and Intimacies.
2016-2018. Conduct and Competency Committee Member, Alberta College of Paramedics.
2014-2018. Conduct and Competency Tribunal Member, Alberta College of Paramedics.
2011-2015. Director of Training, Community Services, St. John Ambulance (Calgary Division).
2011-2018. Supervisor and Mentor to 110 Mentees, St. John Ambulance (Calgary Division).
2010-2018. Volunteer Medical First Responder, St. John Ambulance (Calgary Division).