A.J. Withers

A.J. Withers holds the Ruth Wynn Woodward Junior Chair in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Department at Simon Fraser University. They are an activist-scholar focusing on decolonial social justice, particularly homelessness and disability justice. Their work critiques systems of oppression in social work, capitalism, and colonialism. Withers has authored/co-authored influential books like "Fight to Win: Inside Poor People’s Organizing" (2021) and "A Violent History of Benevolence" (2019), examining the harmful impacts of 'helping' systems and grassroots resistance.

• Education: Not explicitly listed in the text.

Research interests include intersectional analysis of power structures, social change, and prefigurative movements. Their work bridges academic theory and activist practice, emphasizing marginalized voices in organizing.

Recent publications explore topics like trans homelessness invisibility, the nonprofit industrial complex, and far-right movements. Withers teaches courses centering intersectionality and critical approaches to social justice.

Advising & Grants: No explicit details provided. However, their work involves collaboration with grassroots organizations and anti-poverty networks.

Labs/Teams: Engaged with homelessness organizing collectives and disability justice networks, though specific institutional affiliations are not detailed here.