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STU graduates Serena Bunin (BA’24) and Sarah Kasprzak (BA’24, Honours ’25) took their research to a global stage this summer. 

 

The pair, alongside STU Psychology professor Dr. Michelle Lafrance, shared their work at two leading international conferences—the British Psychological Society’s Psychology of Women and Equalities Section in England and the International Society for Critical Health Psychology in Ireland.  

 

For Bunin, the highlight of the conferences was connecting with academics from around the world. 

 

“I felt a strong sense of community and solidarity, surrounded by people whose work is grounded in genuine care and curiosity,” she said. 

 

“It was inspiring to see the work being done in critical and feminist psychology as I prepare to begin my master’s degree this fall.”  

 

Mentorship that Builds Knowledge and Confidence

 

Bunin credited her STU education and Dr. Lafrance’s mentorship with preparing her for this opportunity. 

 

“The depth and quality of my training equipped me to conduct this research, engage with the work being shared, and develop a sense of belonging and confidence I hadn’t anticipated,” she said.  

 

Their research drew on interviews from the Psychology’s Feminist Voices Digital Archive, exploring feminist scholars’ reflections on the field’s accomplishments and future, and identifying shared goals to guide its future. 

 

Dr. Lafrance described the experience as significant for both students, noting the rarity of undergraduates presenting at high-level events. 

 

“Serena and Sarah may have been the only undergraduates there, but their work was extremely well received, and they made important connections for their future endeavours,” she said. 

 

The students were supported by STU’s Research Committee and Department of Psychology in attending their first international conferences. Bunin has since begun a master’s in Applied Social Psychology at the University of Guelph, while Kasprzak has gone on to work with the Canadian Mental Health Association.