Dr. Ghada Sfeir

Biography

Dr. Ghada Sfeir holds a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Her research interests encompass cosmopolitanism, global citizenship education, global competencies, multiculturalism, anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. Dr. Sfeir currently serves as the Senior Advisor for Anti-Racism and Racial Equity in the Office of Institutional Commitments (OIC) at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In this capacity, she provides strategic advice and consultation on university guidelines, policies, and institutional processes through an inclusive excellence lens. She plays a key role in delivering training on inclusive and equitable research, anti-racism, and federal, provincial, and municipal anti-racism legislation and strategies, supporting university leadership in advancing institutional commitments. Dr. Sfeir also works collaboratively with administrative units and University of Calgary groups to establish strategic partnerships that promote well-being, strengthen institutional collective capacity and foster a strong sense of belonging across the campus community. 

Her academic experience includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses from a social justice perspective. Her teaching spans a range of topics, including diversity in the classroom; transnationalism and cosmopolitanism; internationalization of education; culture, power, and politics; adult education; immigrant experiences in Canada; curriculum theory; school and society; and philosophy of education.

Dr. Sfeir has also published several academic articles, primarily focusing on cosmopolitanism and its relevance to education in increasingly diverse societies. She collaborated on editing a special issue of the International Journal of Talent Development and Creativity (2022) that explores cosmopolitan pathways for Canada’s growing diversity from coast to coast to coast and beyond. Her scholarly and professional contributions also include delivering keynote speeches and developing and facilitating public webinars that advance collective understanding of cosmopolitanism and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and decolonization.   Website: https://www.ghadasfeir.com. 

Publications

Sfeir, G. (2026).  Bringing moral and cultural cosmopolitanism into global leadership competencies: Promising perspectives and challenges. In K. Margo (Ed.),  Emerald Handbook for teaching global competencies: Theoretical perspectives and practical applications inside and outside the classroom (1st ed., 37-52).  UK: Emerald. 

Magro, K., & Sfeir, G. (2022). Extending knowledge and learning through the prism of cosmopolitan Education: International Perspectives. International Journal for Talent Development and Creativity,10(1-2), pp. 7-329.

Sfeir, G. (2022). Making the case for cosmopolitan pathways for Canada’s diversity [Special issue]. International Journal of Talent Development and Creativity, 10(1-2), pp. 241-255.

Orlowski, P., & Sfeir, G. (2020). Global problems require a global citizenry: The case for teaching global citizenship. In L. Kornelsen, G., Balzer, & K. Magro (Eds.), Teaching Global citizenship: A Canadian Perspective (pp. 12-28). Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars Press.

Sfeir, G. (Spring, 2015). A cosmopolitan outlook on Canadian citizenship: A case study in Montreal. In Education, 21(1), 74-92.

Sfeir, G. (September, 2014). Critical pedagogy through popular culture. Education Matters: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 15-25.