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School of Communication graduate Alysha Bains represented the School for her second time when she crossed the stage last convocation. After originally completing her undergraduate studies at SFU as an Honours student, this time it was to receive her PhD.

Her return to SFU came from learning about a unique opportunity to work with School of Communication professor Stuart Poyntz on his international study called YouthSites. This study looked at the non-formal learning sector in the lives of young people across Vancouver, Toronto and London.

“For me, it brought everything together: my experience working in the non-profit sector and in informal learning space, my background in policy analysis I did in my master’s at McGill, and my love for research that began at SFU,� says Bains.

Her research explores South Asian creative work and experiences across Canada, focusing on how these communities challenge restrictive and problematic narratives. Through collaboration with South Asian artists and organizations nationwide, Bains highlights both the vibrant contributions of these creatives and the systemic barriers they face in industries that often overlook them. Her work aims to celebrate, document, and critically position South Asian creativity within broader conversations about race and artistic expression in Canada.

“This research mattered to me because it was always personal. I’ve always felt a responsibility to approach it with care and community in mind at all stages of the work,� says Bains.

Now completed her PhD, Bains can reflect on her work and the support she received throughout her academic journey. For example, one of her most cherished memories was her PhD defence, where she was surrounded by 20 of her closest friends and family, which “felt like more than just support�.

She also supported others during her time at SFU, serving as the Head Teaching Assistant (TA) in her final year. In this position, she provided support for other TAs, understanding the reality of balancing multiple roles as a graduate student.

Her work in this role will leave a legacy for current and future TAs in the school, as Bains helped develop a video series that focused on TA training for the School of Communication, specific to the needs of current TAs.

“I felt strongly about this because TAs do incredible work—they’re not only supporting students but also developing skills that are valuable both in academia and beyond,� says Bains.

“I wanted to reimagine how we support TAs by creating a resource they could return to whenever they needed, something practical that acknowledges their contributions and helps them carry those skills forward into their careers.�

After completing her PhD, Bains stepped into a role as an anti-racism research expert with the provincial government, where she consulted on the guidelines and change management communications for the Anti-Racism Data Collection Act’s data standards.

“This work really gave me the chance to apply my research skills and anti-racism expertise in a way that directly impacts how demographic data is collected and understood. It was incredibly meaningful to be able to apply my anti-racist approach as a researcher to policy change in our province,� she says.

She now works at SFU as a Research Chairs Facilitator, where she supports the Canada Research Chair portfolio.

“For me, this role is about continuing to bridge rigorous research with equity-driven practices—helping to create structures that are more inclusive and reflective of the communities they serve,� says Bains.