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Hello

Kathryn (Kat) Urbaniak is a research professional, instructional designer, and neurodiversity advocate with over two decades of experience in education and research.

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Kathryn brings extensive instructional design experience, spanning over a decade, across multiple sectors and international contexts. Since 2020, she has been an instructional design consultant for the International Civil Aviation Organization. She has led  projects at institutions such as Concordia University, McGill University, University of Alberta, and Université du Québec à Montréal, as well as for corporate clients, including CN and Bombardier. Her portfolio encompasses eLearning, classroom-based interventions, webinars, coaching programs, and mobile learning, demonstrating a commitment to learner-centered, impactful design.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Unveiling Equity: Tackling Structural Racism workshop team, 2024, 4th Space, Concordia University

4 women smiling at the camera. This is the Unveiling Equity: Tackling Structural Racism workshop team. Taken 2024 at 4th Space, Concordia University

Kathryn’s research experience spans multiple countries, disciplines, and methodologies, reflecting her strong expertise in project and research management. She has overseen diverse projects addressing racism, social profiling, and digital resilience, producing curricula, policy briefs, podcasts, and documentaries. She has also conducted research in Norway and the USA, focusing on science education, and in Canada, developing innovative interventions to combat hate speech and support marginalized communities. Her work has led to numerous publications, conference presentations, and invited talks, showcasing her ability to bridge academic research with impactful community and policy initiatives.​​

iscope berkely group photo 2017.jpg

Group of 25 people smiling at the camera. This is a cohort in the iSCOPE – integrating Science of Oceans, Physics and Education project. Taken 2017 at University of California, Berkeley.

Kathryn spent 10 years in Scotland, Italy, South Korea, and Canada as an instructor, and has trained over 1,000 educators in 40 countries. She also acted as a Canadian advisory committee member on the development of the international standard ISO 29993 (education and learning services).

 

​In 2022, she began a Ph.D. in Education focusing neurodiversity - the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving. Neurodivergence includes Autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. She is interested in the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals in various contexts, including secondary school, higher education, and the workplace, as well as how they are represented in media and policy. She is always happy to talk about these topics and welcomes questions and collaborations.​

 

Originally from the UK, she is now living as an immigrant settler on unceded lands in Tiohtià:ke / Montreal, Turtle Island/Canada. In her free time she enjoys travel, reading, gaming, pop culture, and spending time with her friends, spouse, two daughters, and kitten.

Brief CV

EDUCATION

Ph.D. (in progress) Education, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

M.A. Educational Technology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

P.G. Dip. Information Technology, Stirling University, Stirling, Scotland

B.A. (Hons.) Business Studies, Aberdeen Business School, RGU, Aberdeen, Scotland 

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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (link)

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INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE (link)

                                                                                                            

PUBLICATIONS (link)

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AWARDS AND GRANTS (link)

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CERTIFICATES

Leadership and Inclusion Certificate, Centennial College/ Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Training Developers Course (TDC) Certificate, The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)             

CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, TEFL UK/Cambridge University 

 

SERVICE

present

  • 2024-present Graduate student departmental representative, Department of Education, Concordia University

  • 2023-present Council Member, Department of Education Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Association (DOEIGSA), Concordia University

  • 2022-present Member, Advisory Panel, Puberty and Sexuality Health Education for Autistic Teens, UCLA/ National Children's Hospital Washington DC

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past​

  • 2022-2024  Graduate student member, Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, Department of Education, Concordia University

  • 2019-2024 Member, UNESCO Chair in the Prevention of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism, Université de Sherbrooke/ Concordia University/ Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

  • 2022-2023 Member, Organizing Committee for the International Society of Metal Music Studies bi-annual conference, Concordia University

  • 2021-2023 Member, Pay Equity Committee, Concordia Association of Research Employees (CARE) / Concordia University

  • 2021 Member, Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance (CSLP) Advisory Committee, Concordia University

  • 2019-2022 Member, CSLP Executive Board, Concordia University

  • 2011-2017 Working Group Expert, Standards Council of Canada (SCC) / International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

  • 2009-2011 Chair, Communications Committee, St Andrew’s Society of Montreal

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