Introducing A.J. Withers, Ruth Wynn Woodward (RWW) Junior Chair (2022-2024)

The Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Department is pleased to welcome A.J. Withers as the Ruth Wynn Woodward (RWW) Junior Chair (2022-2024).

An activist and scholar working towards decolonial social justice, much of Dr. Withers' work is focused on homelessness and disability justice. Their latest book, Fight to Win: Inside Poor People’s Organizing (2021, Fernwood), draws upon their two decades of experience organizing homelessness campaigns, and has been nominated for this year’s Heritage Toronto Awards.

Dr. Withers has also co-authored A Violent History of Benevolence: Interlocking Oppression in the Moral Economies of Social Working, with Chris Chapman (2019, University of Toronto Press), and Disability Politics and Theory (2012, Fernwood).

In fall 2022, Dr. Withers is teaching GSWS 318-4: Special Topics in GSWS: Research and Resistance - Social Policy, Social Movements and Social Justice. Students in Dr. Withers’ course will learn how to make social change by understanding intersectional issues and theories, while also developing their practical skills.