The Undergraduate Sociology Journal (USJ) is a student-run publication that is open to any student enrolled in an undergraduate program at the St. George campus. It covers sociology's intersecting disciplines that include, but are not limited to, Criminology, Women and Gender Studies, Indigenous Studies, Diaspora and Transnational Studies, and Economics.The previous and inaugural volume explored and critically analyzed topics of crime and deviance; gender, sexuality and identity; health and sociology; social movements; theory and critical reflections; and urban sociology, with a common concern about how we make sense of the world around us through a sociological lens. The full publication can be found here.
Meet the editorial board
Susha Guan is the Editor-in-Chief of the USJ. She is in her fourth year at the University of Toronto, where she is studying sociology and ethics, society & law (ES&L). She chose to study sociology because of her interests in the development of social institutions, how social inequalities manifest, and the ways that they are perpetuated or undermined. Specifically, her topics of interests include demography (migration, immigration, fertility), political sociology, contemporary sociological theory, social movements and global inequalities. In the future, Susha intends to pursue legal education and research regarding environmental policy.
Marissa Hum is a Copy Editor of the USJ. She is in her fourth year at the University of Toronto, where she studies a double major in sociology and criminology & sociolegal studies. She studies sociology because of her interests in social inequalities, and the mechanisms that facilitate and perpetuate injustices. Her specific areas of interest include crime and deviance, race relations, intersectionality and gender relations. In the future, Marissa hopes to become a lawyer, as she is currently interested in social justice areas of law (such as public interest), human rights and wrongful convictions.
Hyabselam (Olivia) Michael is a Copy Editor of the USJ. She is in her second year at the University of Toronto, and is studying sociology and health sciences. She is pursuing education in sociology because of her interests in how the functions of society affect various aspects of life, particularly health. Her topics of interest include intersectionality and health disparities due to inequalities of race, ethnicity, gender, and economies. Going forward, she hopes to work within public health while conducting research regarding health disparities found within a given society based on the aforementioned inequalities.
Dumkele Aligwekwe is a Copy Editor of the USJ. She is in her second year at the University of Toronto, where she is studying sociology and human biology. Her topics of interest include race relations, health disparities (particularly in relation to obstetrical outcomes) and intersectionality. In the future, Dumkele hopes to become and obstetrician/gynecologist.
Amal Khurram is the Design Editor and a Copy Editor of the USJ. She is in her fourth year at the University of Toronto, specializing in sociology. She is studying sociology because it is highly intersectional, which aligns with her broad range of sociological interests. Her topics of interest include crime and deviance, education, health and immigration experiences/economics. In the future, Amal aspires to become a high school teacher.
Naomi Trott is a Copy Editor of the USJ. She is in her fourth year at the University of Toronto, where she is studying sociology, environmental studies and human geography. She studies sociology because of her interest in systems of inequality and domination, and the ways in which they are (re)produced and permeate all aspects of social life. Her topics of interest include race, class and gender, global inequalities, social justice and post-colonialism. Going forward, Naomi hopes to pursue her interests within the intersections of social and environmental justice, particularly in the NGO field.
Paula Jiménez Argumosa is a Copy Editor of the USJ. She is in her fourth year at the University of Toronto, where she is studying commerce and sociology. She is pursuing education in sociology because she seeks to increase her understanding of socially constructed systems and structures, which include learning the frameworks of thought and analysis. Her topics of interests include social movements, political sociology, gender inequalities, and conflict and development. In the future, Paula intends to pursue her interests in gender studies and political sociology through academia and NGOs.