I am Dr. Natalia Balyasnikova (she/она/ella).
A scholar, a community activist, and an adventure seeking globe-trotter.
I work as an Assistant Professor of Adult Learning and Education at York University (Toronto, Canada). Throughout my international academic and professional journey, I have always been interested in exploring how societal systems influence educational paths. My current focus is on language learning of older immigrants through research and development of educational initiatives that bridge languages, cultures, and ages.
Starting in cognitive linguistics, my path has taken exciting turns through applied and educational linguistics, language teaching methodologies, and finally arriving to adult community-based education.
In my work I use storytelling, poetry, and drama. I collaborate across disciplines and support implementation of solutions that lower barriers to education.
Outside of work, you might find me absorbed in a great podcast or a documentary. And for a bit of fun: I'm fascinated by octopuses – their intelligence and shape-shifting abilities spark within me a desire for continuous, boundless learning.
I am a lifelong learner and the sky (or you can say the ocean) is the limit!
Credentials
Ph.D. The University of British Columbia, 2019
Ph.D. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, 2009 (equiv.)
Working with gender analysis & gender lens. BC Council for International Cooperation.
Getting going with grant writing. BC Council for International Cooperation.
Developing a theory of change. BC Council for International Cooperation.
Oral history and aging: Transmitting life stories of being and becoming across cultures and generations, Columbia University, Center for Oral History Research Summer Institute, NY, NY, USA
How Learning Works, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
Recognitions
Association of Commonwealth Universities
Mary Ashworth Memorial Award, University of British Columbia
The Columbia Center for Oral History Scholarship,
Columbia University
Fulbright Research Fellowship
UBC Public Scholar Award, University of British Columbia
My Journey
Barcelona, Spain.
Daegu, South Korea.
Baltimore, USA.
Chicago, USA.
Paris, France.
Regina, Canada.
New York, USA.
Helsinki, Finland.
Freiburg, Germany.
Toronto, Canada.
Vancouver, Canada.
Panama City, Panama.
Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Lawrence, Kansas, USA.
Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Moscow, Russia.
Outreach
Interested in exploring collaborative opportunities? Let’s connect—I’d be thrilled to discuss how we can work together.