Kara Santokie

Director Toronto Women's City Alliance

  • Toronto ON

Kara Santokie, PhD, does policy analysis and works to increase civic engagement among women in Toronto.

Contact

Social

Biography

Kara Santokie earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Prior to this, she studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford, and earned a Master of Science degree (with distinction) in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kara has worked as a research analyst, program coordinator, consultant, professor of Political Science and music teacher. She has also worked in the field of international development in several countries for a number of years. As the Director of Toronto Women's City Alliance, she does policy analysis and works to increase civic engagement among women in Toronto.

Kara is a regular contributor to newspapers such as the Toronto Star and news outlets such as the CBC, CTV News and CP24.

Kara is also currently pursuing a teaching certification on mindfulness-based stress reduction at the Centre for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School in the USA.

Kara directs two choirs in Toronto. Shout Sister Choir is a community choir for women and Parkdale Project Read Literacy Voices brings music to adult immigrant learners in Toronto.

Industry Expertise

Public Policy
Education/Learning
Social Services
Research
Health and Wellness
Women

Areas of Expertise

International Relations
Human Rights
International Development
Project Management
Policy Analysis
Program Evaluation
Grant Writing
Nonprofits
Gender Education and Work
Qualitative Research
Global Governance
Social Policy
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
Meditation

Accomplishments

Dr. F.M. Hill Ontario Graduate Scholarship

2007

Awarded by the Government of Ontario to an Ontario Graduate Scholarship recipient in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Education

University of Toronto

Ph.D.

Political Science

2012

London School of Economics and Political Science

M.Sc.

International Relations

2005

University of Oxford

B.A.

Philosophy, Politics & Economics

2003

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Affiliations

  • Shout Sister Choir : Choir Director
  • Parkdale Project Literacy Voices: Choir Director

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Spanish
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Media Appearances

Let’s focus on the real barbaric practices

Toronto Star  

2015-10-07

In whom can we place our trust? The government? Other political parties? Certainly not each other, apparently. Keep an eye on your neighbour, we’re being urged during this election campaign; report them if something seems awry. Not scared enough yet? ISIS is coming! And on top of that, there just might be a homegrown plot brewing in your local Tim Hortons, so call it out. Take that with your double-double, you terrorist. This is Canada, and we don’t tolerate that sort of thing.

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Canada’s social programs will suffer under balanced budget law

Toronto Star  

2015-04-11

With a federal election on the horizon, we’re now getting a peak at some of the goodies upcoming in the budget. Higher TFSA limits? Income-splitting for families? The prospect of a balanced budget law? “Yes, please!” we may be tempted to say.

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The great divide in Toronto housing

Toronto Star  

2015-03-14

Considering the February weather that Torontonians have just endured, the overheated housing market defies all logic. It feels a bit like saying that the average house price in Whitehorse just crossed $1 million.

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Articles

A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Ph. D. Graduate Department of Political Science

University of Toronto

2012

Current approaches to sex trafficking appear to be neither very successful in stopping sex trafficking nor, more importantly, very effective in helping those women for whom it is intended. Rather, the overwhelming focus on the issue of prostitution obscures the more ...

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