The Agora Fellowships

A group of students and faculty member together in front of a piece of art

An opportunity for students to take part in a program where ideas and themes from renowned books and films will be discussed as part of a regular forum. Conversations about society, politics, economics, psychology, and culture will be led by Dr. George Bragues, Associate Vice-Provost, Academic of UofGH and Dr. Alice Kim, Chair, Psychology.

Students who are selected for this fellowship are recognized as Agora Fellows.

Schedule
The 2025 Agora Fellows will attend an intellectual retreat in Ottawa during Reading Week of the 2025 Fall semester (Oct. 14-17, 2025). 

Topic
In honour of the 10th anniversary of the Agora Fellowship, the topic will be the same as it was in the inaugural year. 'Freedom' will be the theme of the discussions.

Questions to be explored include:

  • What is freedom?
  • How does one distinguish between different types of freedom, such as political and economic freedom as well as freedom of the will?
  • What are the benefits and pitfalls of freedom?
  • How should freedom be weighed against other values, such as equality and security?
  • What are the practical implications of freedom?
  • Do human beings have freedom of will and, if not, what are the moral implications?
  • To what extent is our freedom constrained by factors, such as social conditioning and genetics, outside of our control?
  • How has the desire for freedom been expressed by historically oppressed groups?
  • How is freedom related to anti-colonialism?
  • How ought society to be organized to realize freedom in a practicable way? What are the appropriate limits on freedom?
  • What role should freedom have in our personal lives?

Readings/Film for discussion 
Selections will be read and discussed from the following:

  • On Liberty, by John Stuart Mill
  • The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith
  • "The Dilemma of Determinism", by William James
  • Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will, by Robert Sapolsky
  • The Second Sex, by Simone de Beauvoir
  • The Wretched of the Earth, by Frantz Fanon

Benefits 
Though no course credit is granted for participating in the discussion group, students chosen to become Agora Fellows will benefit from:

  • A distinctive title and accomplishment for your resume and co-curricular record
  • Free copies of the works under discussion
  • Accommodations, meals, and transport to retreat in Ottawa (paid for by the university)
  • A deepened understanding of the human project

 
Availability & Eligibility 
There are up to 6 Agora fellowships available for fall 2025.

All University of Guelph-Humber students are eligible to apply.

We will be looking to form a group of students with a diversity of life experiences and perspectives, willing to engage in respectful conversation and debate.

Applications are now closed.

For inquiries, please email assistvp@guelphhumber.ca.