WHEN BELONGING REQUIRES SYSTEMS CHANGE

Season 2

May 26

Written by Erin Davis

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UNAPOLOGETIC · SEASON 2 / EPISODE 17

WHEN BELONGING REQUIRES SYSTEMS CHANGE

WITH DR. CARRIE SMITH

ABOUT THE EPISODE

In this episode of Unapologetic, Erin Davis sits down with Dr. Carrie Smith, Vice-Provost Access, Community and Belonging at the University of Alberta, for a thoughtful conversation about what it truly means to create spaces where people can flourish.

Together, they explore the difference between inclusion and belonging, the role tension plays in transformational change, and why the future of leadership depends on our ability to collaborate across difference with curiosity, humility, and compassion.

Carrie shares how her background in the humanities and feminist scholarship shaped the way she understands organizations, systems, and leadership — offering a perspective that challenges us to think beyond performative approaches to equity work and toward deeper, more sustainable cultural change.

This conversation also explores the growing pressures facing post-secondary institutions, the importance of embedding inclusion into everyday systems and processes, and why belonging cannot happen without meaningful systems change.

Topics explored in this episode include:

Belonging versus inclusion
Leadership in times of uncertainty
Tension as part of transformational change
Equity, systems, and institutional culture
Collaboration and collective responsibility
Higher education and the future of leadership
Building environments where people can truly flourish

This is a conversation about possibility, leadership, systems, and the courage required to keep building something better together.

MEET THE GUEST

Dr. Carrie Smith is the inaugural Vice-Provost for Access, Community & Belonging at the University of Alberta, where she champions equity, inclusive academic communities, and leadership development. She has led several university-wide initiatives, including Changing the Story, a comprehensive action plan for advancing equity and belonging, and programs addressing ableism, accessibility, and conflict resolution.

A Professor of German Studies, Carrie previously served as Vice-Dean of Arts and Chair of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies. Her academic work focuses on critical university studies, feminist leadership, and digital feminism. She has also served as managing editor of three international journals and President of German Studies Canada, bringing extensive experience in academic leadership, research, and community transformation to her work.

Connect with Carrie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcarriesmith/