Dr. Livio Visano

Dr.  Livio Anthony Visano is an award-winning, full professor, in the Department of Equity Studies (Human Rights and Equity Studies Program) at York University.  There he specializes in ontology, critical legal studies, social justice, human rights, youth, criminology and critical ethnographies. He holds several degrees from the University of Toronto including a  Ph.D. in Sociology; MA. in Criminology, and a BA (hon).  Social and Philosophical Studies.

With a passion for researching the intersections of law, culture and inequality Dr. Visano has combined a career spanning almost a half century dedicated to social justice and education.  

He began his career in 1974, working as a tutor and also with the John Howard Society of Metropolitan Toronto.  He also worked over the years with the National Parole Service, and the Centre of Criminology at the University of Toronto. Throughout his teaching career he has been a research assistant, assistant professor, associate professor.  In 1996 he was Chair of the Department of Sociology, Atkinson College, York University.  In 1997 he assumed the role of Dean of Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, York University.  

His research interests include Human Rights, Law and Justice, Impact of Ideology on Institutions and Identity, Social Inequality and Research Methods, Youth, Human Rights, Critical Legal Studies,Youth and Justice, and Social Inequalities. He has many publications to his name, is sought-after as a speaker for numerous international, national and provincial level conferences, has served as an expert witness in immigration and human rights court cases, and much more.  

For all his outstanding accomplishments and impressive work as an educator, Dr. Visano has been recognized and honoured with many awards and accolades including: 

• Canadian Who's Who, University of Toronto Press
• Nominated and Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (UK).
• Diploma Solenne, (honorary degree) Accademia Internazionale di Pontzen di Lettere, Scienze ed Arti, Napoli, Italia
• John O’Neill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching, Sociology, York University
• OCUFA 1989 Teaching Award for Outstanding Contributions to University Teaching, Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations

   

  He has been the Visiting Scholar for both The Lougheed Teaching and Learning Centre of Excellence at Huntington University and the Summer School of Cultural Studies, Network in Cultural Studies and Research Unit for Contemporary Culture, at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. Dr. Visano has also received a Publication Award from the Pontzen International Academy of Arts, Sciences and Literature, in Naples, Italy, and is currently a serving member of Huntington’s Board of Regents.