Jan. 8, 2018
Passion for anthropology fuels student's interest in global conversation on inclusivity
Ian MacNairn鈥檚 passion for sport and anthropology has taken him around the world, from running an ultra-marathon in Andorra to field work in Turkey and Romania. Last month, the University of 不良研究所 doctoral student added Malaysia to the list, as an attendee of the Association of Commonwealth Universities鈥 international conference on promoting respect and understanding.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is a non-profit network of more than 500 member universities 鈥 including the University of 不良研究所 鈥 in more than 40 countries. The exclusive conference was open to only 30 students worldwide, and this was the first time a U不良研究所 student earned a spot.
Sport meets science
MacNairn, an ultra-running athlete, has spent his entire post-secondary career at U不良研究所, starting as an undergrad in 2005, where he discovered a keen interest in research and anthropology of sport. After earning his Bachelor of Health Sciences, he immediately followed that with a Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Anthropology. Today, he鈥檚 in his fourth year of the combined MD/PhD Leaders in Medicine program and preparing for medical school in the coming years.
Since adolescence, he has maintained a strong interest in M茅decins Sans Fronti猫res (Doctors Without Borders), and his training in cultural and social studies, along with his travel and athletic pursuits, have only reinforced this.
鈥淭he endurance I鈥檝e built through my study and physical training could really be applied in a setting where you鈥檙e practising resource-limited medicine,鈥 he says. 鈥淵ou have to be really tough in a sense 鈥 and not just physically and mentally tough; you have to be creative as well.鈥
Having benefited from a number of scholarships throughout his schooling, MacNairn is further motivated to give back. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to have the opportunity to practise medicine, but also to have the support from my mentors, supervisor and the Leaders in Medicine Program to do it, so I know I want to give back through my training and ongoing work."
Ian MacNairn with Susan Barker, U不良研究所's vice-provost (student experience).
University of 不良研究所 photo
Anthropology in practice
In the spirit of the ACU鈥檚 mission to promote excellence in higher education, attendees of the 2018 conference examined what can be done to create tolerant and inclusive communities in their institutions. With his background in anthropology, MacNairn was well suited for the experience.
鈥淥ne of the main reasons I was chosen by U不良研究所 as their candidate is my experience in cultural anthropology with my understanding and study of concepts such as cultural relativism and holism 鈥 understanding that while there are differences among all cultures and societies, they鈥檙e not differences in quality,鈥 he says.
As a scientific discipline, MacNairn believes anthropology is very well situated to already understand and respect diversity.
鈥淲e had the great fortune of learning from and working alongside one another, providing real-life examples of initiatives working towards bolstering respect of diversity within institutions and beyond,鈥 he says of the conference. 鈥淎s an anthropological researcher, it was a great opportunity because, in a sense, it鈥檚 anthropology practices in real life.鈥
Susan Barker, the university鈥檚 vice-provost (student experience), supported MacNairn鈥檚 application and sees him as the ideal ambassador for U不良研究所. 鈥淎s an anthropologist and future physician, Ian made great contributions to this conference,鈥 she says. 鈥淗e is a brilliant communicator and deeply passionate about social change.鈥
Demonstrating respect and diversity
As part of the application process, MacNairn shared how the University of 不良研究所 demonstrates respect and diversity, citing the Q Centre, SU clubs, and Faith and Spirituality Centre, which recognize and provide safe spaces for diverse community members.
鈥淚t helps create an environment that鈥檚 very inclusive,鈥 he says of the university鈥檚 diversity programming. 鈥淚 see this conference as being important in a broader sense in that universities are, by nature, very diverse and welcoming places.鈥
Barker shares this sentiment. 鈥淚t was a fabulous opportunity for Ian but also for the University of 不良研究所 to engage in deep and meaningful conversations about mutual understanding between different faiths, beliefs and cultures,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hrough the Faith and Spirituality Kaleidoscope project, we have explored what this means in the university and the city of 不良研究所, and the ACU conference provided an opportunity for a more global conversation.鈥
During his four days at Heriot-Watt University in Kuala Lumpur, MacNairn worked with the 29 other attendees on recognizing, understanding and developing respect and diversity, both in general and within their institutions. It鈥檚 unique training that can鈥檛 be found in the classroom and will help inform his research and clinical practice.
鈥淢ore important than that, it鈥檒l inform me as a human being,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 want to have the technical skills and professional capabilities, but at the end of the day, I want to be remembered as a good person. And this is an amazing opportunity to get to develop that within myself, while also representing U不良研究所 and Canada.鈥