TRU debuts new Human Rights and Social Justice masters

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is training the next generation of problem solvers. Homelessness, racism, genocide — these are some of the topics that will be tackled in TRU’s new Masters of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice.

The interdisciplinary program is the first Masters of Arts at TRU and the first across Canada that combines the two disciplines, according to program co-coordinator Dr. Wilson Bell.

“One of our elective courses is a course [on] issues of social justice related to water and climate change – so there’s a geography professor […] and a literature professor,” said Bell.

“So very different perspectives on what water might mean.”

The 16 students in the first cohort are diverse in age, background and previous studies.

“[There’s a ] really wide variety of backgrounds in terms of undergraduate degrees, so that’s pretty exciting, said Bell.

“There’s people that did international relations undergraduate degrees, commerce, a couple of sociology students, three psychology students,” Bell said.

Bell said these students will look for jobs in politics, government, education or in equity and diversity. They’ll get a start in the workforce at the end of their studies with a practicum. Kate Hawkins is the practicum coordinator for the program.

“We’ve spoken with a variety of local organizations here in Kamloops who’ve expressed interest in partnering with us and taking on students,” said Hawkins.

“Students will be able to work with government agencies, whether that’s local or at the national level. There’s also nonprofit organizations here and businesses that adhere to corporate social responsibilities.

“Employers are looking for students with critical thinking skills, and who are able to approach certain problems with a dynamic approach,” said Hawkins.

A program like this, being born at TRU — Bell says Kamloops is a great place to start tackling human rights issues.

“With the issue of residential schools and finding the deaths of many children that occurred in the residential schools, Kamloops has been in the news nationally and even internationally for that,” he said.

“We’ve seen issues of climate change here in the city itself with the forest fires and flooding nearby, evacuees coming here,” said Bell.

“There’s a lot of issues with homelessness in the city,” Bell said as another example.

This first cohort will finish their studies at the end of 2023.