Dr. Tya Collins

Biography

Professor Tya Collins’ endeavors as an educator span a 20-year period across various settings including teaching and administration in preschool, primary, secondary, ESL, FSL, special education, vocational training, and university levels. She holds a PhD in Education from the Université de Montréal and was a past SSHRC postdoctoral fellow at McGill University. Her research in pedagogy emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach that draws from the fields of education, sociology, critical youth studies, Black studies, and disability studies. Professor Collins conducts research in both English and French, mobilizing Black affirming theories and methodologies to uncover systemic barriers in student educational pathways. She challenges social, political, and cultural norms by positioning youth as knowledge generators and fostering creative imaginings within a racially inclusive schooling society. Her recent work focuses on the intersections of blackness, disability, language, systemic trauma, and youth resistance against structural barriers and inequalities, with a particular emphasis on postsecondary outcomes. As a community advocate, consultant, and researcher, she partners with organizations such as the Quebec Black Communities Observatory and the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network.

Research Interests

Experience