Dr. Sawyer Phinney (he/him) is a Senior Labour Economist for the Government of Alberta. Sawyer has a Master's of Political Economy from Carlton University, and a PHD in Human Geography from the University of Manchester. 

Sawyer is also deeply involved in advocacy work around trans rights and access to gender affirming care. From his early years grappling with societal expectations of gender to his powerful journey of unlearning the binary, Sawyer shares how transitioning has deepened his understanding of himself and the world around him, which included reflections on how to build emotionally aware and supportive communities that promote healthier masculinity.

On the career front, we dive into his work in economic geography, including fieldwork in the United States, working to understand how race shaped Detroit’s austerity politics after the 2008 mortgage crisis, revealing that Black residents were unfairly blamed for the city’s bankruptcy, and austerity measures, like water shut-offs, disproportionately harmed poor, racialized communities. His stories illuminate the link between economic analysis, and grassroots storytelling.

Sawyer’s journey is one of courage, compassion, curiosity, and reflection.

I couldn’t have imagined a better conversation for my season 1 finale, as together we celebrate unlearning as a lifelong commitment.

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My music is written and recorded by the Kingston High All Stars, in Wellington New Zealand.

My graphics, website, and illustrations are done by MaggsyMayCo in Waterloo, Ontario.