Intersectional realities

Addressing the gaps in equity infrastructure to include racialized international students at a Canadian university

Authors

  • Shamiga Arumuhathas Ontario Tech University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/pzt79b15

Keywords:

Racialized international students, EDID discursive policy, Canadian higher education, international student experience

Abstract

This research investigates the intersectional realities of racialized international students at a Canadian university, exposing significant deficiencies in the institution’s equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) policies. Utilizing a heuristic case study approach, it reveals experiences of social segregation and cultural essentialization, often within a Euro-Western context. By applying Critical Race Theory (CRT), the study uncovers systemic barriers that exacerbate marginalization, demonstrating how institutional practices often fail to align with the commitment to inclusivity. Participants exhibit remarkable resilience, advocating for a true alignment between policies and the complexities of their experiences. The findings call for a transformation in EDID initiatives to ensure authentic belonging and equity within Canadian higher education.

Author Biography

  • Shamiga Arumuhathas, Ontario Tech University

    Shamiga Shamy Arumuhathas, PhD, is an Academic Associate and Teaching Scholar at Ontario Tech University within the Faculty of Education. Her research interrogates the intersections of race, internationalization, and educational policy through critical frameworks such as critical race theory, intersectionality, and decolonial thought. A former secondary teacher and a recipient of the Inclusive Education Research Award from the Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education, her scholarship is grounded in equity-focused praxis and transnational justice. Dr. Arumuhathas’ current work critically examines how racialized international students navigate within Canadian postsecondary institutions amid global neoliberal shifts and institutional EDID discourse.

    Email: shamiga.arumuhathas@ontariotechu.ca

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Published

2026-02-23

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2026: Online First: Journal of International Students

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Special Issue | Building Inclusive Futures

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How to Cite

Arumuhathas, S. (2026). Intersectional realities: Addressing the gaps in equity infrastructure to include racialized international students at a Canadian university. Journal of International Students, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.32674/pzt79b15