4th Annual WICTO Symposium: Connecting Through Chemistry

The Working Towards Inclusivity in Chemistry Toronto (WICTO) Symposium is back for its fourth year, bringing together undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows from chemistry departments across southern Ontario (University of Toronto, McMaster University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, Ontario Tech University, & Trent University).

This full-day event will feature an exciting lineup of activities and opportunities, including:

✨ Plenary EDI Lecture by Dr. Kalai Saravanamuttu and Dr. Rodrigo Narro Pérez (McMaster University)

Kickstart the day with an engaging keynote by Dr. Saravanamuttu and Dr. Narro Pérez, highlighting an undergraduate course at McMaster examining equity, justice, and anti-racism in science.

✨ Data for EDI and Pedagogy Research Group

Hear from faculty and staff as they share their ongoing EDI initiatives across chemistry departments and the University as a whole. Learn how these efforts are creating more inclusive academic and research environments and inspiring meaningful change.

✨ Career and Teaching Panels with Alumni, Industry, and Teaching-Stream Professor Speakers

Join us for a series of dynamic panel conversations featuring accomplished alumni and industry professionals as they share their career paths, offer practical advice, and answer your questions about life after graduate school. In addition, we’re hosting a dedicated teaching panel with early-career teaching-stream professors who will discuss their path into teaching and what it’s like to build a career as a non-research Professor.

✨ Research Poster Sessions

Explore innovative research being conducted by students and postdocs across Toronto. This is a great opportunity to share your work, receive feedback, and discover new ideas.

✨ Professional Development Workshops

🌱 Green chemistry & systems thinking

👩‍🏫 Making visually effective presentations

✨ Dinner & Networking Session

End the day with an informal networking dinner, where you can connect with peers, speakers, and faculty.

✨ Lunch, Coffee, and Snacks Provided

The full event schedule, including session times and locations, will be emailed to all registered attendees on January 2026.

Logistical details:

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Location: TBA, University of Toronto St. George Campus

Price: $15 per person

**For students from UTM, UTSC, McMaster, Wilfrid Laurier, Ontario Tech & Trent: transportation reimbursement is available. Please contact WICTO at [email protected] for more details.

Sign-up deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026 @ 5:00 PM EST

Space is limited and will be allotted on a first-come-first-serve basis, with priority given to chemistry graduate students. You will be notified if placed on a waiting list for the event. This event is accessible and open to those affiliated with their respective Departments of Chemistry.

Sign up to give a Poster presentation!

Interested in gaining communication skills and sharing your graduate research? Sign up to give a Poster presentation during our Poster session! This year, we are encouraging poster submissions from teaching initiatives (Chemistry Teaching Fellowship Program, Visions of Science high school program, etc.) to showcase all the unique projects! Those interested in submitting a poster about a teaching initiative will receive a free ticket to the Symposium and partial reimbursement for the printing of their poster.

Poster Presentation Sign Up: here

Deadline to Sign Up: Friday, January 9, 2026 @ 5:00 PM EST

For UofT Chemistry Graduate Students, PD Hours will be available:

Alumni Career Panel Attendance: 1 PD hour (Personal effectiveness or communication)

Teaching Panel Attendance: 1 PD hour (Personal effectiveness, communication, or research/teaching skills)

Networking Evening Attendance: 2 PD hours (Personal effectiveness or communication)

Professional Development Workshop Attendance: 1 PD hour (Communication or research/teaching skills)

Poster Session Presenter: 3 PD hours (Communication or research/teaching skills)

Max PD Hours for event: 8 hours

Accessibility

WICTO intends for this event to be accessible to anyone in the chemistry community who is interested in attending. If you have an accessibility-related concern (i.e. attendance fee, transportation, layout of the symposium space, etc.), please let us know by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/H38atANSvAkcwZ1N7

Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member, this is your opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with the vibrant chemistry community in Toronto.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Working towards Inclusivity in Chemistry Toronto