What on earth is going on in Alberta's post-secondary education sector? Get the inside scoop right here: CAFA's "Beyond the Lecture Hall" podcast features thought-provoking conversations with guests whose insights into current issues and future possibilities in higher education promise to inspire, enlighten, and maybe even surprise you. Tune in!
Publisher
CAFA (Confederation of Alberta Faculty Associations)
Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector. On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. This is followed by an interview with University of Calgary Professor, Lisa Young, about Alberta separatism and a spotlight on the Ontario Confederation of Ontario University Faculty Associations (OCUFA).
Interview begins at 14:12
Spotlight begins at 41:24
To register for the Civil Society Summit, visit: https://afl.org/events/alberta-civil-society-summit/
8 Mar 2026
Episode 9: Tuition Fees and University Funding
Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector. On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. This is followed by an interview on tuition fees and university funding with Alex Usher, President of Higher Education Strategy Associates, and a spotlight on CAFA communications.
Interview begins at 13:27
Spotlight begins at 28:35
12 Dec 2025
Episode 8: The Notwithstanding Clause
Dr. Jennifer Koshan, Dr. Charles Smith, and Dr. Victoria Bucholtz discuss the Alberta government's use of the Notwithstanding Clause in labour relations and its impact on the trans community in an interview with Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton.
24 Nov 2025
Episode 7: Government Interference in PSE
Co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton discuss provincial government interference in postsecondary education with a panel of OCUFA, ANSUT, and CAFA members in an interview.
21 Oct 2025
Episode 6: Alberta's Book Ban
Ira Wells discusses Alberta's book ban and its implications for intellectual freedom in an interview with Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton on this episode.
2 Sept 2025
Episode 5: Bill 54 and Treaty Rights
Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton discuss provincial news while Gabrielle Weasel Head explores Alberta separatism and treaty rights in this interview.
18 Jul 2025
Episode 4: Nova Scotia's Bill 12 and Provincial Attacks on PSE
Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton interview Scott Stewart and Robin Whitaker about Nova Scotia's Bill 12 and provincial attacks on postsecondary education, while Dan O'Donnell speaks with ACIFA representatives regarding member issues.
17 Jun 2025
Episode 3: Alberta's Anti-Trans Legislation
Victoria Bucholtz, Mount Royal University instructor, analyzes Alberta's anti-trans legislation and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community in an interview with Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton.
24 Apr 2025
Episode 2: The Common Front and Solidarity Pact
Welcome to Beyond the Lecture Hall, the podcast that focuses on issues in Alberta's postsecondary education sector. On this episode we start with the regular provincial news Round Up with co-hosts Roberta Lexier and Lee Easton. Our feature interview is with AFL President Gil McGowan, who discusses the Common Front and Solidarity Pact. In the Spotlight segment, Dan O'Donnell speaks with MRFA President Brenda Lang and Advocacy Officer Brian Nichols about the association's advocacy work.
Useful links:
CAFA Website - https://cafa-ab.ca/ (https://cafa-ab.ca/)
To write to the University of Calgary's administration to demand they reverse the program suspensions in the Faculty of Arts: https://win.newmode.net/canadianassociationofuniversityteachers/stoptheprogramsuspensionsinthefacultyofartsattheuniversityofcalgary (https://win.newmode.net/canadianassociationofuniversityteachers/stoptheprogramsuspensionsinthefacultyofartsattheuniversityofcalgary)
The Alberta Wage Disadvantage (report by Jim Stanford): https://afl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Alberta-Wage-Disadvantage-Report-January-28-2025.pdf (https://afl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Alberta-Wage-Disadvantage-Report-January-28-2025.pdf)
The Common Front: https://afl.org/campaign/commonfront/ (https://afl.org/campaign/commonfront/)
7 Mar 2025
Episode 1: The Mintz Report
On this episode:
Roundup of PSE Issues
The Mintz Panel - Interview with Marc Schroeder, Mount Royal University
Trusting Your Members - Spotlight on University of Lethbridge Faculty Association
Useful links:
CAFA Website - https://cafa-ab.ca/ (https://cafa-ab.ca/)
Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-2030-building-skills-for-jobs (https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-2030-building-skills-for-jobs)
Clearing a Path: Helping Displaced Alberta Re-Enter the Workforce (Business Council on Alberta Issues) - https://businesscouncilab.com/topic/post-secondary/ (https://businesscouncilab.com/topic/post-secondary/)
Roadmap or Roadkill, a Critical Look at the Government’s Strategy for Post-Secondary Education in Alberta (Parkland Institute) - https://www.parklandinstitute.ca/roadmap_or_roadkill (https://www.parklandinstitute.ca/roadmap_or_roadkill)
Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness (The Mintz Panel) - https://www.alberta.ca/expert-panel-on-post-secondary-institution-funding-and-albertas-competitiveness (https://www.alberta.ca/expert-panel-on-post-secondary-institution-funding-and-albertas-competitiveness)
Who has been a guest on Beyond the Lecture Hall
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Jennifer Koshan
Dr Charles Smith
Dr Victoria Bucholtz
OCUFA members
ANSUT members
Podcast Authority Score: 11 / 100
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Quality
22
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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