Aisha Chapra teaches Introduction to Diverse Populations in Social Work, Ethical Issues in Social Work and a year-long integrative seminar course for social work students completing their internship. As director of field education, she is the liaison between the university, internship site supervisor and the student.
She is interested in decolonization, identity, immigration, globalization and the interrelated forces that create the world we live in. She teaches high-level academic content through engaging activities, lectures and assignments. Outside of social work she has taught yoga for more than a decade and has worked as a freelance writer and journalist.
Field Experience
Chapra completed her MSW in Toronto, the world's most multicultural city, and she had the privilege of working directly with new immigrants and refugees. She also worked as a research assistant with a professor at the Faculty of Social Work in the University of Toronto. Chapra spent three years working with women and transwomen experiencing houselessness and using participatory based research methodology to advocate for policy changes in Toronto. She spent four years teaching in Karachi, Pakistan, at a private university in both the social sciences and media studies departments. She also volunteered as a yoga instructor at the central prison for women in Karachi for three years, eventually coordinating donation drives for basic needs for women and children living in the prison. For four years, Chapra organized and led yoga and hiking retreats in the northern areas of Pakistan using her social work background to create healing experiences for the attendants.
Academic Publications
Chapra, A. & Chatterjee, S. (2009). Talking Colour, Talking Race: Racialized women, their home and
belongingness. Canadian Women Studies, 27 (2/3).
Sakamoto, I., Chin, M., Chapra, A., & Ricciardi, J. (2009). A 'normative' homeless woman?: Marginalisation,
emotional injury, and social support of transwomen experiencing homelessness. Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review, 5(1), 2-19.
Sakamoto, I., Khandor, E., Chapra, A., Hendrickson, T., Maher, J., Roche, B. & Chin, M. (2008). Homelessness – Diverse Experiences, Common Issues, Shared Solutions: The Need for Inclusion and Accountability. Toronto: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.
Other Publications
Chapra, A. (2022). Saint by the Sea. Yolk Literary Magazine. 2.1.
Chapra, A. (2021). Bird of Paradise. Climate Liberated: Short Stories to Change the World. STCW Publishing.
Chapra, A. (2021-2022). Northern Exposure Monthly Column. Aaj News Pakistan.
Sander, A. (2018-2020) Milestones column for Patagonia Regional Times, a local newspaper based out of Southern Arizona.
Chapra, A. (2009). Untitled & The alleged (poetry). Celebration of Resistance and Self Defense
Launch of the Premiere issue of AQSA ZINE, February 26, 2009.