As seasoned marketers, small-business folks, and advertisers alike know, when used wisely, words can locomote a company forward at unbeatable speeds. This is especially the case in our digital age, where both compelling copy and strategically placed keywords can skyrocket you to the top of a search engine’s results page, or front and centre on a social media platform. 

As a burgeoning or veteran copywriter faced with an intimidating (and growing) list of competitors-and a dwindling reservoir of effective copy-you may be wondering: is it even possible to make your copy pop in a sea of sameness? How can your copy stand out online? 

Fear not: it’s possible. 

As Joe Sugarman aptly puts it, “Every product has a unique personality, and it is your job to find it.” That is, the best way to make your copy sing and attract new business, is to differentiate yourself from the rest. It, dear reader/writer, is your sole mission as a copywriter to excavate the unique qualities that tell your audience you are indeed a unique snowflake in a blizzard of competitors. It’s your responsibility to let them know about how you dare to be different across your Google ads, websites, direct mail, social media posts, and beyond. 

Whether you’re a big business promoting a holiday sale, or a small non-profit looking for life-changing donations, it’s possible to use copy economically to showcase what makes you special - be it cost, return on investment (ROI), company ethos (sustainability, for example), your customer service standards, or your trustworthiness. Or, it’s still possible to differentiate purely using a distinct brand voice (think dead-serious brand voices like Nike, or more light-hearted lingo like Poo-Pourri!). 

We certainly see trusted brands taking these differentiation approaches with their copy time and time again - it’s a timeless tactic that likely won’t die. For instance, Mattress company Endy takes some time in its copy to tell its sleep-hungry audiences: “One Mattress, With a Purpose. We at Endy set out to design, make, and deliver an amazing mattress for a fraction of the cost of other major retailers.” So, in this case, the quippy differentiators are the dazzlingly less expensive cost and its multiple features. Or, take meal kit delivery service HelloFresh, who states, “We save you serious time: Now with more choices every week and meals starting from just $9.69.” The differentiators in this case are competitive pricing as well as product choice and the ability to customize. 

Audiences care about saving time, saving money, and getting as much benefit as possible out of a purchase. It’s the language they speak. Here are eight tips to help you speak it loudly in your copy.

8 Ways to Differentiate with your Copy

But how have successful online-powered companies uncovered their most important differentiators? How have they leveraged these differentiators powerfully in their copy? What kinds of processes help them arrive at a place where their copy speaks loudly and clearly about how special they are? These considerations can help you, and your audience, understand just how special you are. 

1. Start with the differentiation test. Veteran copywriter and School of Continuing Studies instructor Steve Slaunwhite suggests first taking the differentiation test, which in essence puts your own brand under the microscope and lets you know where exactly your differentiating copy can use some TLC. First, visit your company’s website and cover the logo. Then read the copy. Ask yourself: can you tell yourself apart from your competitors from the copy alone? Is the brand voice strong, and are the features and benefits strong and more unique? If the answer is a firm ‘no’ to all of the above, this is where to start working on your differentiation.
2. Make some room. Before going any further, know where you (and your differentiation copy) are going. Carve out some space to insert copy that differentiates, whether that’s a headline, a blog, or a stand-alone social post. In a longer document or on a website page, you could reserve a special space to promote what makes your particular brand, product, or service different, such as at the very top of your homepage, on an About page, in your social media bio, or on the bottom of a print document. 
3. Ease their worries with an unbeatable guarantee. A good risk-free guarantee or an iron-clad Service Level Agreement (SLA) can set yourself apart from more rigid competitors, and can demonstrate that your brand takes a customer-first approach. Try emphasizing an offer they can’t refuse (i.e. “Try us out, risk-free, for 60 days. If you’re not satisfied with us, you can cancel at any time in a matter of seconds.”).
4. Remind them that you’re, like, a known and trusted brand. If you’re a beloved business that has earned the confidence of consumers and/or business communities, this makes you special in a sea of sameness. Try penning copy that emphasizes your beloved status in the community in order to build confidence in your audience (i.e. “We are that friendly neighbourhood photo printing place backed by the most trusted names in the business.”).
5. Long in the tooth? Let them know. If you’ve been kicking around for more than a blink of an eye, your longevity certainly makes you a snowflake. Not every business can survive for years, and so your long track record is an immediate standout and signals to your audience that, hey, you must be doing something right.
6. Show off those glowing reviews. One of the great benefits of an online world for businesses is the ability to hunt and gather online reviews and comments from satisfied (and not so satisfied) customers, whether that’s a Trustpilot testimonial or Google review, or an Instagram or Facebook comment. If you have some gems, use them in your copy (i.e. “Join 80,000 other customers who trust us to do it right”) as part of website testimonials, success stories, or social posts. This is evidence that sets you apart, legitimizes you, and demonstrates the value of the voice of the customer (and that you value their approval). It makes you look a little human, which doesn’t hurt either.
7. Prove it with … proof. Firm evidence and concrete numbers and statistics unique to your business can certainly go a long way in building confidence in a potential customer. Using a simple headline followed by any data that demonstrates how well your product or service performs, and the logos of companies who trust you, are also easy on character count but effective in getting the message across. 
8. Hit them over the head with what makes you better. Do you know in your heart and soul that you offer the best customer service? Do you know that your prices are unbeatable? Are you bursting with pride over your company ethics (supporting local, using sustainable fabrics, donating to a cause with every purchase), or your more flexible payment plans? Great - tell them all about it in your copy, early and often.

Looking at your competitors won’t hurt, either: go after paid or organic keywords that your competitors use, and then some - differentiate by adding in more keywords variations that more exclusively target specific audiences so you’re easier to find on this vast and ever-growing world wide web.

All this being said, the best approach to writing copy that differentiates? Know yourself and your audience. Find out exactly how you’re special through a semantic strip-down: flesh out your brand identity, list out all its features and benefits, understand the profiles of the audiences you appeal to and the platforms they use (i.e. are they an online or in-store crowd), and really get to know yourself.

Samantha Mehra (MA) is a senior copywriter and content strategist in Toronto, and an instructor at The University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies. With a diverse background in technology, history, and arts journalism, her writing credits include The Canadian Encyclopedia, Feathertale, Oxford Journals, and Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism. She is a National Magazine Award nominee, and enjoys puns. Samantha instructs courses in our Strategic Copywriting Certificate.

Nadun Thilina Elvitigala came to Canada from Quatar in November 2020. Needless to say, the challenges of moving to a new country were exacerbated by a global pandemic, and almost immediately Nadun decided that the best way to find solid ground was to grow his skills. “I started my career in chemical engineering. However, I quickly realized that I wanted to focus on my people and project management skills instead, so I pursued an MBA while living in the UK.  After graduating in 2016, I moved to Qatar and began working as a Regional Strategic Manager, managing forty people, and multiple large-scale projects across many countries and regions,” says Nadun. “Coming to Canada in 2020 posed many challenges, but it also felt like the perfect time to explore something that had been of interest to me for a while, but I hadn’t had time to formally study: Lean Six Sigma project management.”

Lean Six Sigma is a proven strategic tool that delivers value for customers, generates returns for shareholders, and improves the workplace environment. Nadun was eager to up his game, and grow his abilities during such an uncertain time, so in December 2020, he enrolled in the Lean Six Sigma Certificate at the School of Continuing Studies. “My instructor, Michael Mladjenovic, was an amazing lecturer. He did a fantastic job of making theory practical; it wasn’t just book learning. His classes expanded my knowledge, and gave me the opportunity to connect and collaborate with classmates who are still in my professional network today,” recalls Nadun. “After I earned the certificate in 2021, I went on to earn my American Society of Quality Certification. The program at SCS helped me pass the very rigorous exam on my first try.”

Today, Nadun is a Continuous Improvement Manager, using knowledge he gained at SCS to improve efficiencies and work with large data sets. “In my current role, I’ve reduced quality errors by 95%, improved customer wait times from three to five days to one day, and enhanced product quality. I want to keep my progress going! In fact, I’m now enrolled in the Data Science Certificate at SCS, which is a partnership with the University of Waterloo, to further develop my analytic and machine learning abilities,” shares Nadun. “I believe that it’s critical for us to adapt as the world changes; there’s so much digital transformation, and I want to be a part of that movement. You’re never too old or settled to make a change, learn new skills, and achieve your goals.”

When Dima Ilchuk came to Canada from Kyiv, Ukraine, he knew he wanted to work as a public servant and further his education. With a background in international banking, and a master’s degree in Economic Cybernetics, he was eager to embrace new learning opportunities in Canada. “I had very little when I came here, but I never gave up on the hope that this country would offer me something greater than I could have ever expected,” reflects Dima. “To gain experience working in Canada, I started out by volunteering my financial skills, hosting free tax clinics for eligible members of the Toronto community. Later, I won a professional competition for a basic trainee role for one of the biggest municipalities in Ontario. This led me towards my goal of working as a public servant and supporting my new city.”

Knowing that gaining some Canadian credentials would help him grow his skills and support his career goals, Dima began pursing his Master's in Public Administration at the Royal Military Canadian College in 2021. “Over the past five years, I’ve held roles at the municipal and federal levels– including time volunteering for the Ministry of Defense as a Civilian Military Logistic Coordinator, supporting humanitarian aids projects. I’m currently working in the Ontario Justice System. With my team, I’m responsible for coordinating services between this division and Toronto enforcement agencies. However, in 2020 when the pandemic hit, I started serving as a front-line worker under Covid-19 Redeployment Assignment in Scarborough, supporting a Self-Isolation Center,” shares Dima. “Today, I’m back in my regular role, however this experience really expanded my perspective, and strengthened my desire to serve my community. I was ready to expand my skills even further through continuing education, which is why I came to the School of Continuing Studies.”

In 2019, Dima began pursuing a International Project Management Certificate at SCS. “I wanted to improve my project management competencies, develop a deeper professional network, and explore new ways to use my skills,” recalls Dima. “I really connected with my teachers, especially Peter Monkhouse. I found his views and advice very applicable to my daily work. The SCS administration team was there for me any time I had a question or needed support. I also grew a social network, and stay connected to my classmates. I’m using the skills I learned every day at work, but I also learned about new aspects of project management that I may want to explore in the future.” 

Dima completed his certificate in 2021, and is scheduled to complete his second masters in 2023. He remains committed to serving his community, especially veterans. “I’m a volunteer and mentor for a veteran community educational project in Toronto and New York. In this role, I use my project management skills to coordinate English classes and assistance activities to help wounded newcomer veterans with PTSD. The goal of our project is to provide them with their first job in an IT company, with a focus on re-adaptation and socialization,” says Dima. “Continuing education has allowed me to thrive in both my career, and in my personal pursuits. I’m a big advocate that there’s a strong link between education and health. After serving as a frontline worker during 2020, I experienced a lot of difficulty. Coming to SCS and focusing on my education helped me re-establish healthy behaviors and actually reduced my stress. Learning definitely improved my well being, and that’s something I want to help others experience through my career and volunteer work.”

The School of Continuing Studies (SCS), in partnership with U of T Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) professor Olivier Trescases, has collaborated with Porsche Cars Canada to develop micro courses in electric vehicles (EVs) for the approximately 300 dealer staff across the country, including senior management.

The EV sector is experiencing strong growth: in 2021, zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) — accounted for more than 5% of new vehicle registrations in Canada for the first time. The recent Canadian federal budget calls for EVs to account for 60% of cars sold in 2030 and 100% by 2035. Companies such as Porsche have front-row seats to the escalation in driver interest. 

“Customers are now coming into their showroom with sophisticated questions,” says Prof. Trescases. “When a customer asks you, ‘Why don't I get the full power fast-charging when the ambient is five degrees?’ — well, you need a certain level of expertise to answer that.”

Porsche Cars Canada turned to SCS and Prof. Trescases—who is the Director of the University of Toronto Electric Vehicle Research Centre—to develop a training program that would help Canadian dealership staff get up to speed, and develop deeper knowledge about EVs. “We’re proud to partner with Porsche Cars Canada in providing this highly tailored, leading-edge training,” says SCS Dean Dr. Catherine Chandler-Crichlow. “Learning and innovation are at the heart of SCS, and we are excited to help prepare Porsche Centre staff to meet the challenges and opportunities in electro-mobility.”

The new course consists of two levels: primary and expert, both run independently through SCS. They aim to establish competency in foundational electrical concepts and then focus on the core EV technologies: the charging and battery systems, powertrain, motor, the electrical grid, second-life application of batteries, as well as more forward-looking innovations such as vehicle-to-grid and wireless charging. 

“We are looking forward to our collaboration with Porsche Cars Canada at this pivotal moment for the automotive industry,” says Christopher Yip, Dean of U of T Engineering. “The adoption of electric vehicles is one important step in lowering our carbon footprint, and Porsche’s industry leadership together with U of T research expertise will model a path forward for EVs in the transportation sector — not only to support government emission targets and increasing consumer demand, but ultimately to secure a sustainable future.”

Dr. Chandler-Crichlow agrees. “Investing in your people results in a clear return. At SCS, we are passionate about helping organizations achieve their distinct training goals. Our programs are data-driven, and can help fill the skills and knowledge gaps that employers and teams are facing,” she says. “In collaboration with U of T partners and learning design professionals, we’ve designed training solutions that enable organizations such as Porsche Cars Canada to confidently build the human capacity and meet the challenges of a changing economy.”

For Shrey Vazir, experiencing back pain at a young age led him on a long and winding journey through our healthcare system, which inspired him to dedicate his life to health, pain-management, and mindfulness. “I started to experience pain at age 12, so I began physiotherapy. I knew immediately I wanted to get into healthcare,” reflects Shrey, who now holds a Master of Physiotherapy from the University of Toronto. “In university, my pain started to worsen, which sent me on a very frustrating journey. I saw physios, chiropractors, acupuncturists, a rheumatologist, and a neurologist. After a trip to the ER due to extreme pain, I was eventually referred to a pain physician who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition.”

Throughout his physiotherapy studies, Shrey began exploring mindfulness as a tool to manage physical pain. “I was really shocked to learn what a powerful tool mindfulness could be in helping patients deal with pain. It’s clear to me that behaviours and thinking can affect pain levels in the body. I wanted to enhance my knowledge of mindfulness practices, so I started studying at SCS,” explains Shrey, who earned our Applied Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain Management (MBCPM™) Facilitation Certificate in 2018. “I chose SCS because the program is very evidence-based. It taught me how to treat people holistically through hands-on learning with real patients. My biggest take away was the fact that mental health and mental wellbeing are so crucial to our physical wellbeing. We can truly change the way we live through a practice like mindfulness meditation, and I’ve experienced the benefits first-hand. Mindfulness, and using the mind-body connection, is a big part of my personal healing path.”

Today, Shrey is a physiotherapist and a mindfulness facilitator in the Comprehensive Integrated Pain Program at Toronto Western Hospital and Altum Health. “Mindfulness is an integral part of my practice, which is rather unique in the physiotherapy world. It informs how I approach each patient, and a huge part of mindfulness is about accepting what is happening in life, whether things are good or bad, easy or hard. Personally, mindfulness helped me accept my chronic pain condition, and taught me skills like meditation and movement that I can use to manage my pain,” he says. In fact, Shrey recently founded Mind Body Horizons, a company that teaches mindfulness and meditation skills to patients and rehabilitation professionals. “Mindfulness has shifted my attitude towards living with pain,” says Shrey. “I want others in the rehabilitation space to be able to share these tools with their patients. I want mindfulness to become a mainstream tool for supporting pain management.”

According to Shrey, continuing education has the power to change lives. “The mindfulness meditation program at SCS has undoubtedly changed my personal life, and my career. It taught me how to combine my knowledge in physical therapy and mindfulness, which has not only allowed me to take charge over my own pain condition, but it has also allowed me to provide a holistic and mind-body approach of care to many patients and professionals,” he reflects. “SCS has truly given me a newfound meaning and purpose:  to educate and inspire the next generation of health care providers to use mind-body approaches in their personal and professional lives.”
 

With the help of an impressive jury of writing and publishing professionals, the School of Continuing Studies has selected this year’s winners of the Marina Nemat Award for Creative Writing. 

Thanks in part to the generosity of author and Creative Writing Certificate Graduate, Marina Nemat, the School of Continuing Studies has offered this award to the most promising Creative Writing Certificate student(s) each year. Previously, up to two awards were given each year to the most outstanding Final Project of a Creative Writing Certificate student. 

This year the award has been expanded to include winners in four categories: Creative Writing in Spanish; Non-Fiction; Children’s/YA; and Multi-Genre (Fiction and Poetry). 

The winners are: 

Creative Writing in Spanish

Non-Fiction

Children’s/YA

Multi-Genre (Fiction and Poetry)

After years of working in the fast-paced banking industry, Peggy Loa was feeling overwhelmed in a new way. “My mindfulness journey began with feelings of burnout. Six years ago, I was in a very demanding financial role in the project delivery space. I was handling a lot of complex projects, and was struggling to manage my stress. I needed a way to release negative energy and find my centre, which led me to explore mindfulness and meditation,” reflects Peggy. “Seeing how mindfulness helped me re-balance, get stronger and embrace positivity, both at work and in my personal life, it became clear that this was the right path for me.”

In fact, while continuing to work in the financial industry, Peggy followed her mindfulness passion and became a certified mindfulness meditation coach. When the pandemic hit, her company embraced a stronger focus on employee wellness, and Peggy was given the opportunity to share her new skills with her colleagues. “I began hosting weekly virtual mindfulness meditation sessions for teams at my company. I really loved the opportunity, and the chance to share with my colleagues how mindfulness can support our collective efforts while making work a more positive experience,” says Peggy. “I came to realize that my true purpose at work is to infuse positivity, joy, inner peace, and strength into all my daily interactions, incorporating the values of mindfulness into my work and sharing this knowledge with those around me. When you feel peaceful on the inside, you approach meetings, challenging situations, and differences of opinion with empathy, curiosity, and positivity. It’s also a way of building greater inclusion, and through my mindfulness practice I have a consistent impact on my community at work.”

Peggy was determined to further grow her mindfulness meditation skills, and began pursuing her Foundations of Applied Mindfulness Meditation certificate at the School of Continuing Studies in February 2022. Scheduled to earn her certificate this Spring, Peggy has enjoyed learning about different types of practices and mindfulness theories. “The courses were online on weekend mornings, which worked perfect for me due to my busy weekday schedule. It was great to start my weekend with meditation theory and practice. One of my instructors, Moustafa Abdelrahman, created such an open, safe, and comfortable environment. Participation was active, and I learned a lot about how to further make mindfulness applicable in our daily lives,” Peggy recalls. “I used to think that I had to quit my corporate job to pursue mindfulness, but I’ve come to realize through my continuing education that they can co-exist and become one. I’m passionate about sharing how mindfulness can reduce stress and make teams significantly more collaborative and effective.”

As a project management professional who is currently pursuing her certification, Peggy draws compelling parallels between project management-specifically Agile practices- and mindfulness. “Now that I’m at a new company, and pursuing my Agile PMI certificate, I’m seeing so many similarities between Agile and mindfulness theory and practice. Agile is a new way of working; there’s the knowledge that you need to acquire, but what makes it successful is adopting the agile mindset. It’s about our attitude to mindfully bring value to your team, and collaborate in an open and safe space so you can operate at your best. Mindfulness meditation is so similar! It’s the practice of being present, positively impacting and helping others,” says Peggy. “I’m still coaching people from my previous company, and am working on bringing mindfulness to our Agile team in my new role. I want to demystify how mindfulness can support employee well-being and company goals. This is my purpose, and I’m excited to share my passion with others.”

One of the main reasons there is so much global interest in adopting renewable energy is because it helps us reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But renewable energy is about more than climate change. Here are six facts you may not know about this critical technology.

1. Renewable energy can help address energy poverty

Around the world, hundreds of millions of people lack access to electricity, representing about 13% of the global population. The number of people lacking access to clean cooking fuels is much higher. Renewable energy technologies offer us the opportunity to alleviate energy poverty in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible fashion. Increasing access to energy is essential for social and economic development in many parts of the world, such as in sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Renewable energy discussions must be interdisciplinary

We cannot study renewable energy solely from an engineering or technology perspective. Our energy choices have significant implications to the biophysical environment and the social and economic well-being of people around the world. This is not just about what energy resources we rely on, be they fossil fuels, nuclear, or renewable energy. It is also about how we use energy resources. We have to ask questions about what biomass we used to create bioenergy, how we decide where to place wind turbines to reduce the potential negative impacts, and understand the role of politics in how quickly or slowly we adopt renewable energy. 

3. Global usage of renewable energy is increasing rapidly

According to statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency, the installed capacity for wind energy (on and offshore) more than quadrupled between 2010 and 2020. The installed capacity for solar energy (thermal and photovoltaic) has increased even more rapidly, showing a 17-fold growth between 2010 and 2020. Other renewable energy technologies are continuing to develop, although presently their use is not as large, apart from hydroelectricity. Solar and wind energy are economically viable, and their cost is continuing to decrease.

4. Multiple energy products are possible using renewable energy

Depending on the technology and processes used, we can create solid, gaseous, liquid, heat, and electrical energy. In this way, we can fulfil all of our energy needs to keep our society operating the way it does. In Ontario, we already use liquid renewable energy—bioethanol—for some of our transportation, and countries around the world are looking to increase the amount of biofuel blended with petroleum-based transportation fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Biomethane can be substituted for natural gas, heat can be used in industrial as well as domestic and institutional settings, and, as we know, electricity is vital in our homes, businesses, and commercial settings.

5. Many renewable energy technologies are scalable 

Renewable energy can be flexible and extremely useful for supplying energy needs in remote areas, including those where extending grid systems would be costly and challenging, such as mountainous zones or remote communities in the North. Solar energy, bioenergy, geothermal, and wind energy can be designed to provide power for individual houses, farms, and other enterprises. Or, they can be built on much larger scales, with the resulting energy contributing to electrical grids that supply urban areas or, in the case of other forms of energy products—such as liquids—transported to where they are needed.

6. New technologies are emerging all the time 

There have been rapid advancements in renewable energy over the last couple of decades, and work continues all the time. In solar energy, innovations related to solar fabric and solar paint are just two of the exciting ideas to follow. In terms of bioenergy, we continue to search for the strongest feedstocks, thinking in terms of environmental, economic, and social feasibility. New methods of exploiting tidal and wave energy are being tested. And we continue to make progress with hydrogen gas, which could make a very significant difference in the transportation sector, not only for automobiles, but notably for large freight trucks, shipping, and aviation. 

Whatever your background, there’s a lot to learn about renewable energy, whether your focus is on the technology, energy planning, environmental management, social development, or something else entirely. Because energy is fundamental to modern life, questions about how we will produce it are something everyone should be interested in, to make informed decisions personally and to contribute to public discussions.

Dr. Lucy Sportza has been in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph since 2006, and at the University of Toronto, School of the Environment since 2009. She has a B.A. from the University of Toronto (Geography – Environment and Resource Studies), and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the School of Planning, University of Waterloo. Her doctoral research focused on planning for urban parks and protected areas, with a focus on Toronto. Lucy’s current interests include the use of parks and protected areas in urban areas to make them healthier and more livable in the face of environmental change. A strong secondary interest is in renewable energy systems. A theme of her work is integrating the evolving scientific knowledge with what we should be doing to protect our biophysical environment and the necessity of making decisions that take social, economic and other considerations into account.

Her course, Principles of Renewable Energy, starts this spring.

Greek theatre teaches us nothing. And that’s a good thing.

To ask what matters about literature – especially Greek literature – is to miss the point. It is to treat a piece of literature as a tool. Only when we let it be exactly what it is, nothing more and nothing less, can we fully experience Greek theatre. 

Aristotle suggests that to live without an end (a telos, a goal, a motive, an agenda), is the only way to learn ethics or the value of friendship. 

In other words, when we focus too much on the meaning, message, or modern relevance of Greek theatre, we impose our own ideas and experiences onto it. If we must always ask “how does this relate to me? What can I learn?” then we find ourselves reading the same stories everywhere. Everything is either “inspirational” or just “depressing.” When we consume Greek theatre from a “me” perspective, imparting our own ideas, perspectives, and understandings onto it, it prevents us from having a genuine experience. Insight occurs only when we encounter something unanticipated, even unwelcome. 

So, how can we really experience Greek theatre, free from our human desire to “make sense and meaning?” 

Let the art be art. Stop trying to learn from it.

Literature and theatre only work when we refrain from trying to gain something – anything – from it. Be patient when you encounter it. Stop trying to insert yourself – your experiences, joys, pains, thoughts, opinions – onto it. 

Learning is pleasurable. Changing the way we believe is transformational. 

Jonathan is an instructor at SCS, a Professor at Seneca College, and an Associate Professor at Beijing Jiaotong University. He earned his doctorate in 2010 in Comparative Literature at the University of Chicago, where he taught over twenty courses in ancient and modern literature. His book, The Medieval Presence in Modernism: The Quest to Fail, was published in 2016 by Cambridge University Press. His most recent book, Ezra Pound's Classical Sources, will be published by Bloomsbury Academic Press in late 2022. He's currently at work on a new book about James Joyce and Early Cinema. 

This Spring/Summer semester, Jonathan will be teaching two online courses: Friedrich Nietzsche: the First Modern Man and Kafka and the Kafkaesque.

We know that the environment is all around us. But did you ever stop to think about how everything we do, from driving in our cars to going for a hike in a national park, has an impact on the environment? There are varying degrees of impact, of course, but I believe that it’s important for everyone to explore the implications of our actions. Here are seven reasons why learning about environmental management—and owning the role we play in our environment—is a critical step towards sustainability and preservation.

1. Studying environmental management can help you gain a greater appreciation for the world around you, and understand the vital role of ecosystems in supporting our ways of life. You can learn about how we can help ecosystems and other species thrive on the planet we share.
2. Environmental challenges exist on all scales, from ones close to home, to those occurring at a distance. The consequences of these challenges can be largely local, or influence entire global systems, such as the oceans or atmosphere. Exploring environmental management, and how our purchasing decisions can influence our ecosystems at home and abroad, is a necessary first step if we want to truly address environmental concerns.
3. Environmental management is about personal responsibility, but also involves governments, corporations, nongovernmental organizations, and many other parties. You can discover how to reduce your impact on Earth, and the sorts of changes and actions we can demand on the part of others.
4. In Canada, learning about environmental management, particularly the role of Indigenous peoples in environmental governance, can support reconciliation. More broadly, environmental management is critical to addressing environmental and social injustice globally, helping to reduce inequality.
5. The future must be sustainable. We cannot have sustainable development and a healthy planet for our children, grandchildren, and generations beyond them without environmental management. 
6. You’ve seen the headlines. Now you can learn the broader story behind them. Whether it’s climate change, forest fires, plastic pollution in our water systems, degrading air quality in our urban areas, or one of the many other signs of our broken relationship with nature, we are all touched by environmental change. By studying environmental management, you can deepen your understanding of these issues, as well as what we can do to fix them.
7. Whether your interest is personal, academic, or professional, environmental management is a necessary part of your education. People who study environmental management may use the information to support work in nongovernmental organizations, government settings, or private industry. Learning more about environmental management can support a deeper relationship with the biophysical world and guide your efforts to reduce your personal impact.

What I love most, is that studying environmental management can give you hope for the future. The headlines are often dire, and it is sometimes difficult to believe we can address the many environmental challenges facing us as a global community, including climate change. But there are reasons to hope, and there are many actions we take as individuals. Knowing you can make a difference, that you can help yourself, your children, family, friends, colleagues, and your community move towards a better future, is energizing and impactful.

Dr. Lucy Sportza has been in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph since 2006, and at the University of Toronto, School of the Environment since 2009. She has a B.A. from the University of Toronto (Geography – Environment and Resource Studies), and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the School of Planning, University of Waterloo. Her doctoral research focused on planning for urban parks and protected areas, with a focus on Toronto. Lucy’s current interests include the use of parks and protected areas in urban areas to make them healthier and more livable in the face of environmental change. A strong secondary interest is in renewable energy systems. A theme of her work is integrating the evolving scientific knowledge with what we should be doing to protect our biophysical environment and the necessity of making decisions that take social, economic and other considerations into account.

Her course, Fundamentals of Environmental Management, starts this spring.

Thanks in part to the generosity of author and Creative Writing Certificate Graduate, Marina Nemat, the School of Continuing Studies offers this award to the most promising Creative Writing Certificate student(s) each year. Previously, up to two awards were given each year to the most outstanding Final Project of a Creative Writing Certificate student. 

We are excited to share that due to the remarkable growth the Creative Writing program has seen, this year the award has been expanded to include nominees in four categories: Creative Writing in Spanish; Non-Fiction, Children’s/YA; and Multi-Genre. 

Four winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of Canadian publishing industry professionals and will receive $1000 each. 

This year’s nominees include: 

Creative Writing in Spanish

Non-Fiction

Children’s/YA

Multi-Genre (Fiction and Poetry)

Congratulations to all of our nominees on their hard work and talent. 

For more information about our Creative Writing program, please visit our program information page: https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/creative-writing. 
 

After two years of strictly online learning, the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is preparing to head back to class, in person. 

While we have long offered a selection of hybrid or fully online courses and certificates, when the pandemic hit, our staff and instructors worked quickly to adapt as many of our in-class courses as possible to an online format in order to minimize disruption to our learners, and most importantly, to do our part to keep our community safe.

Two years later, with mandated protections being lifted at the University of Toronto and throughout the rest of the province, we are excited to begin to reintroduce in-class options for our learners. 

“I’m so proud of the wonderful progress and improvements we have made to our already impressive roster of online learning options and of our dedicated instructors and learners who made the switch to fully online classes with us as we worked together to keep each other safe,” says SCS Dean Dr. Catherine Chandler-Crichlow.

“That said, we know that some learners and instructors do prefer an in-class experience, and some subjects lend themselves very well to an in-class environment. We want to continue to offer learners an experience that is as tailored to their needs as possible. I’m thrilled that we’ll be able to provide stellar in-person learning alongside our online offerings once again.”

Over 70 SCS course sections will be offered in-class in a broad range of subjects from Creative Writing to Business classes for the spring/summer term. 

We will continue to follow the University’s lead in terms of health and safety regulations around COVID-19. U of T will be pausing the following measures effective May 1, 2022:

• The requirement to complete health screening via UCheck prior to attending University premises
• The requirement to be fully vaccinated for in-person activities on University premises
• The requirement to be masked in indoor University spaces, unless otherwise required

However, learners should be aware that masking indoors is still encouraged by the university and that some or all of these requirements may be reinstated on short notice should public health conditions or guidance change. 

Should SCS need to cancel in-person classes, we will give learners the option of transferring to an online section of their course where possible, or receiving a full refund for their tuition. 

For more information about the University’s policies and updates related to COVID-19, please visit the UTogether information page: https://www.utoronto.ca/utogether