Usman Qazi (He, him)

Research Assistant, Learning and Knowledge Solutions

Usman Qazi (he/him) joins CCDI as a Student Researcher, where he will assist with various DEI research objectives. He joins CCDI as he finishes his master's degree in the Criminology and Social Justice program from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Usman obtained his Bachelor of Arts (Law and Society) from York University and had worked on previous DEI research projects as a research assistant with his professor. He researched how hospitals in the GTA respond to multiculturalism and diversity with palliative care and end-of-life treatments and how different cultures, traditions, and religions are represented in a secular-growing city. What Usman enjoyed the most out of this experience was seeing the differences diversity and inclusion initiatives can have for many marginalized communities. In his graduate program, Usman was selected as a graduate representative for his department where he facilitated various seminars and programs for his cohort. 

Usman is passionate about storytelling and how stories can connect people together. Working in DEI research, he wants to make a difference by bridging the gap of research and storytelling by representing marginalized communities, and he plans to write stories that matter for people wanting to have accurate and diverse representation. 

Outside of work, Usman loves to write and make movies with his friends, volunteers at an anti-prison organization as an editor for their newsletter, is an avid reader (loves horror/thriller/romance novels), a huge coffee connoisseur (always experimenting with new coffee recipes) enjoys outdoor activities, and he wants to learn how to crochet (which is his new summer goal!).