The annual Undergraduate Sociology Research Symposium took place on March 11, 2026, bringing together students from the University of Toronto to present and discuss their original research. The event highlighted the diverse sociological work being conducted by undergraduate students and provided a platform for academic exchange within the department. The symposium featured student presentations based on coursework, independent studies, and other research projects. Participants shared their findings with peers and faculty, demonstrating how undergraduate scholars are engaging with contemporary social issues through sociological analysis.
- Sydney Pacheco presented research on women-only gym hours and their impact on women-identifying students’ sense of comfort and belonging in campus fitness spaces. Using ethnographic observation and interviews with university students, Pacheco found that women-only hours can create opportunities for exploration and confidence-building. Her study also highlighted how spatial layout, social interactions, and perceptions of belonging influence whether that comfort carries over into regular gym hours.
- Maia Cassie investigated young women’s experiences with social media scrolling. Through six focus groups with female-identifying social media users, Cassie investigated how participants understand and cope with the emotional impacts of online content consumption. She found that conversations among peers can transform feelings of shame or mindless scrolling into more intentional and empowered social media use, suggesting that peer dialogue plays a key role in fostering digital well-being.
- Sophia Robina Bannon examined how non-normative queer identities experience exclusion within queer spaces. Through ethnographic observation in Toronto’s Gay Village and interviews with femme-presenting bisexual and queer women, Bannon analyzed how belonging is negotiated and sometimes policed within queer communities. Her findings showed that participants often faced identity delegitimization and scrutiny over whether they “belonged,” revealing tensions between ideals of inclusivity and the realities of social dynamics in marginalized spaces.
- Amy Meleqi studied how low-income backgrounds shape immigrant students’ experiences in post-secondary education. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with female immigrant life science students at the University of Toronto, Meleqi explored how financial pressures affect academic performance, access to study environments, and mental health. Her findings highlighted financial stress, limited study spaces, and emotional burdens associated with economic insecurity as key challenges for students from low-income immigrant backgrounds.
Together, the presentations demonstrated the variety of sociological questions being explored by undergraduate researchers. The symposium provided students with an opportunity to share their findings, receive feedback, and engage in discussion with fellow attendees while connecting with peers interested in similar issues. The event also celebrated student scholarship within the department, highlighting the importance of early research experiences and their role in shaping future sociologists.
The symposium was organized in partnership with the Undergraduate Sociology Students’ Union (USSU), which represents sociology undergraduates and aims to foster a stronger academic and social community within the program. By hosting events such as the research symposium and alumni career panels, the union encourages students to pursue research opportunities and develop their academic interests beyond the classroom.
