Shane Young

Dr. Shane Young serves as Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University and Academic Coordinator for the Indigenous Knowledges and Experiences Certificate. His work bridges academic scholarship with community practice, focusing on Indigenous sovereignty and decolonization across educational and social service contexts.

Dr. Young holds the following academic credentials:

• BSW (Bachelor of Social Work)
• MSW (Master of Social Work)
• PhD in Social Work

His research centers on critical Indigenous studies and urban identity formation, particularly examining how digital spaces like Instagram and TikTok influence Indigenous identity resurgence. Dr. Young investigates decolonization through Indigenous research methodologies, emphasizing community relationships in studies spanning mental health, social policy, and anti-oppressive practice. His work consistently addresses colonial impacts while centering Indigenous futures and knowledge systems.

Dr. Young's recent publications demonstrate consistent scholarly output focused on decolonizing research structures, Indigenous identity reclamation, and contextualized social work education. His work shows strong international collaboration (notably Canada-South Africa partnerships) and community engagement, with recurring themes of equity in health research, cultural revitalization, and digital sovereignty. The publications reflect growing emphasis on co-created Indigenous-settler research models.

While no specific awards are documented in available sources, Dr. Young's scholarly contributions are recognized through conference presentations at major venues including CASWE, CCME, and the International AIDS Conference.

Dr. Young actively mentors students through course instruction and certificate coordination. His research collaborations, such as the 2020 HIV/AIDS partnership study, indicate externally funded projects though specific grants aren't detailed. He maintains strong community ties through practice-informed research on urban Indigenous identity and decolonizing social work frameworks.

Though no formal lab structure is documented, Dr. Young's research operates through community-academic partnerships focused on digital identity projects and decolonizing methodologies. His work engages students and community members in examining how digital spaces support Indigenous cultural resurgence and identity sovereignty.