Student Research Spotlight - Victoria Parlatore
Victoria Parlatore (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in the Higher Education (HE) program. As a graduate of the Master of Arts program in Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP), Victoria has been a proud member of the OISE community since 2019. Coming from a lineage of strong female educators, she has always had an interest in the field of education, with a focus on the analysis of educational systems and policies, accessibility, and student experience rather than pursuing a traditional teaching role. OISE provides a unique opportunity to pursue these interests within a diverse, interdisciplinary, knowledge-rich community.
Being surrounded by such academic and research excellence, in addition to OISE’s rigorous standards, has challenged Victoria to become a better scholar. She values engaging in intellectual and ideological discussions with her peers and professors, as their unique backgrounds offer invaluable opportunities to gain insights from various perspectives, enriching her own practice and depth and breadth of knowledge. Victoria is especially grateful to be part of a community of researchers and practitioners who share critical perspectives and a passion for enhancing education through principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The curriculum and supportive environment of the HE and ELP programs have equipped Victoria with the essential technical research skills and expertise to thoroughly explore her areas of interest and contribute meaningfully to her communities.
In conjunction with her studies, Victoria has enjoyed participating in the collaborative specialization in Educational Policy, volunteering on the Graduate Student Research Conference planning committee, being a peer reviewer for various journals and conferences, volunteering on student advisory committees for Health and Wellness and Accessibility Services, and being an LHAE department ambassador. She has had the pleasure of working as a graduate and research assistant on a few different teams, including for the Hardworking Students Project.
In her own research, Victoria utilizes her lived experience, education, research, volunteer, and professional background to investigate the experiences of students with disabilities in secondary and postsecondary education systems in North America. Her current doctoral study takes an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach to explore the self-reported needs of students with disabilities and the extent to which postsecondary institutions are meeting identified needs through current policies, practices, and supports, bringing disabled students together to reimagine access and how we might “do disability differently”. In phase one of the project, students with disabilities enrolled in colleges and universities across Ontario are asked to participate in an online survey asking about their disability-related needs, experiences, and perspectives, with the option to opt-in to participating in follow-up focus groups for phase two of the project. Ultimately, she strives to center disabled students’ voices, bring more attention to our experiences navigating higher education, and together, offer insights and suggestions for improvement to inform policy and practice, ultimately fostering more inclusive learning environments for all.
Victoria’s graduate research and studies have been generously funded through competitive grants, including the OISE Fellowship, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), and presently, the multi-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award (CGS-D). She is also an Inlight Student Mental Health Fellowship recipient for the 2024-2025 year. She has presented her work at several conferences, delivered invited lectures for the University of British Columbia and the University of Colorado-Boulder, and been an invited speaker at multiple events, most recently, the keynote speaker at the Ontario Summit for Students with Disabilities. Her current professional roles include working as a Graduate Peer Mentor for Accessibility Services and as an independent research consultant and data analyst. In her personal life, Victoria enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially while exploring new places and eating good food. She likes to balance the high-paced world of academia with grounding activities such as yoga and strength training, spending time outdoors on walks, hikes, bike rides or snowboarding, creative writing, volunteering with Rotary International, and always having some sweet treats and a good cup of tea available.
