Jean-Paul Dionne Symposium
March 2, 2023 — March 3, 2023
Spheres of Support: A Network of Care in Education
Recent and ongoing current (and often traumatic) world events have heightened our personal understandings of support. This year, our theme, Spheres of Support: A Network of Care in Education, applies what we have learned and centers support as a critical element of education.
Support does not exist in vacuum; only by embedding support in every facet of education can it truly benefit both learners and educators alike. It’s not only about considering one’s physical health, but also mental health and spiritual/emotional wellbeing. With the rising popularity of frameworks such as Systems Theories, education is being transformed to recognize the value of not just one another, but entire social systems and networks. Our network of care requires many individuals, including parents, fellow students, health care providers, counsellors, and educators both formal and informal. We are all connected, and it’s time we explore those connections and expose their strengths and weaknesses.
Another facet to consider is our connection to the land we call home. We must extend care to the land and spaces we occupy. Only then can our systems of support be sustainable.
Join us March 2 - 3, 2023 as we strengthen A Network of Care in Education to foster learning.

Jean-Paul Dionne Symposium
The Research Fair will take place simultaneously, allowing Faculty of Education professors to share their recent discoveries and research projects with students.
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The Jean-Paul Dionne Symposium is an annual event organized since 1985 by and for Faculty of Education master's and PhD students to highlight their research projects. University of Ottawa undergraduate students, as well as graduate students from other Ontario and Quebec universities are also invited to take part.
Jean-Paul Dionne was a professor at the University of Ottawa from 1970 until his retirement in 1996. He won the university's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1995. Professor Dionne, who died in 2011, was especially valued for the exceptional support he offered graduate students, his intellectual rigour, and his expertise in statistics. As he was its founder, this annual scholarly event bears his name. The symposium serves as a tribute to Professor Dionne, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to Faculty of Education students.
If you wish to help support the growth of this event, you can make a donation to the Faculty of Education Jean-Paul Dionne Symposium by contacting the University of Ottawa Development Office (190 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa ON K1N 6N5 or 613-562-5800 ext. 3417) or by making a donation online.