On November 1st, Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau, a professor at the Université de Montréal’s School of Industrial Relations, assumed the position of director of the Interuniversity research centre on globalization and work (CRIMT). She succeeds her colleague Gregor Murray, who led the center since its inception 22 years ago.
Having earned a law degree from UdeM and qualified as a member of the Quebec Bar, Gesualdi-Fecteau practiced labor law for several years at the Legal Affairs Directorate of the Commission des normes du travail (now the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail). In this capacity, she represented non-unionized employees up to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Her professional experiences prompted her to pursue doctoral studies in law. Her dissertation, which focused on the conditions faced by temporary migrant workers, earned her the award for best doctoral thesis in social sciences from the university.
From 2012 to 2022, she served as a professor in the Department of Legal Sciences at UQAM before joining the School of Industrial Relations at UdeM. Gesualdi-Fecteau became affiliated with CRIMT in 2006, during her master’s studies.
Passionate about public policies on labor and employment as well as the realities faced by precarious workers, she discusses the challenges ahead as she takes on her new role.
Dalia Gesualdi-Fecteau: Generally, we explore how societal upheavals impact and reshape the nature of work.
CRIMT is a true gem, bringing together over 180 specialists engaged in comparative and interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding the evolution of work. Initially focused on studying the globalization of production and its effects on work, CRIMT continues this tradition of excellence in research in today’s polycrisis context, characterized by growing instability. Key challenges include climate and technological changes, geopolitical tensions, and increasing inequalities affecting more people than ever.
In this regard, I must emphasize the remarkable legacy left by the previous generation of researchers who built an unparalleled international network. We owe much of our success to Gregor Murray of the School of Industrial Relations, who co-founded and led CRIMT for over two decades.
DGF: CRIMT brings together labor and employment specialists from several Quebec universities, including Université Laval, Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal, McGill University, and UQAM.
The network also includes researchers from a dozen countries-such as the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom-affiliated with 20 partner research centers.
Moreover, most of our research is conducted in collaboration with various stakeholders and partners in the world of work. This ongoing dialogue enriches our interdisciplinary research, keeps us at the forefront of field changes, and allows us to address less-studied issues.
DGF: I aim to continue CRIMT’s mission, which for the past 20 years has been pivotal in understanding the challenges facing labor actors and the communities they serve. The research conducted at CRIMT has immense transformative potential, and my goal is to amplify its impact, reaching an ever-wider audience.
I am committed to enhancing the visibility of our research, both nationally and internationally, to ensure it receives the recognition it deserves. In an era increasingly advocating for open science, I believe it is our responsibility as academics to broaden the reach of our work and engage a growing audience.
CRIMT has consistently supported emerging researchers in both fundamental and applied research in labor and employment. It has fostered inclusive and stimulating environments for reflection, a tradition we are determined to uphold and enrich.
Finally, one of CRIMT’s greatest strengths lies in its friendly and warm environment, fostering strong research collaborations and lasting friendships. We are fortunate to have an exceptional team of professionals who demonstrate rigor, creativity, and expertise daily. It is a privilege for our research community to work with them and for me to steer this remarkable ship forward!