Courageous Conversation: 2SLGBTQI+ Experiences at the University of Ottawa

Florian Grandena is an Associate Professor who has taught film studies at the University of Ottawa since 2006. He holds a master’s degree in foreign languages (Université Jean Monnet, France), a master’s degree in audiovisual studies (University of Westminster, United Kingdom) and a PhD in film studies (Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom). He is mainly interested in French and Quebecois cinema, popular culture, queer theory and gender studies. His current research topics include the representation of homosexuality in French cinema, mainly in the works of Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau, on which he is currently preparing a book, as well as expressions of otherness through the monster figure in French cinema, in particular in the films of Julia Ducournau, queer temporality and memory studies.

Em Patton (they/them), believes that when we feel stuck, working through challenges alone can be difficult and at times impossible. Their approach involves listening to a student’s experiences and developing a plan to help them move forward towards their goals and dreams. Everyone’s experiences are different and, therefore, plans need to be tailored to individual needs. Em has a master’s degree in social work from McGill University and has over twenty years of experience working with people who are experiencing anxiety and depression as well as severe and persistent mental health issues. Outside of work Em likes to paint, run, cross-country ski and read.