Vanessa C. Wachuku

Vanessa C. Wachuku is a Doctoral Candidate in the Policy Studies Program at Ryerson University specializing in the Immigration, Settlement and Diaspora Policies Stream. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria. Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Studies and a Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Cape Breton University. She also holds a Teaching Certificate (GTDP) from Ryerson University and a Certificate in Municipal Administration Program from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO). Vanessa’s research focuses on the intersection of public policy, human rights, refugee and settlement policies, migration and border studies, in relation to Canada’s immigration detention policy. Approaching her work from interdisciplinary standpoints under the supervision of Dr. Idil Atak, she is interested in the complexities of asylum seeking endeavours and the protection of human rights in Canada. Vanessa is a multi-recipient of several Scholarships and Awards. She has over twenty two years of professional experience in every sector in Canada. Vanessa is a Federal Public Servant and previously worked in a managerial capacity at the Canadian Red Cross where she served for almost a decade. Vanessa contributes extensively to the field of immigration through publications, engagement and presentations in domestic and international platforms such as the International Public Policy Association. Amongst her varied academic service, Vanessa served as the Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Migration and Border Studies and serves as a Senate Appeals Committee Member at Ryerson.