John Flynn Memorial Scholarship

Award a scholarship to a student in the Honours with Specialization in Social Work program at the School of Social Work, who demonstrates community involvement and financial need.

This scholarship was generously created in memory of John Flynn. John Vincent Flynn, born in Ottawa, June 9, 1984, had a deep love of life and showed genuine affection and generosity towards people. Unfortunately, his life was suddenly cut short by a heart attack in Berlin February 16, 2019.   John received a general bachelor of arts in 2011 and a bachelor’s in social work in 2016, both from the University of Ottawa, where he was able to combine his concern for social justice with his passion for art. He became involved in many causes at the University. When he was involved with the social work students association, he put together an art exhibition along with the Centre d’intervention et de prévention en toxicomanie de l’Outaouais, an organization fighting addiction, and its creative space, Le Lab, highlighting the work of youth who had experienced difficult situations. It is now a permanent exhibition at the School of Social Work.    John was also involved in fighting violence towards women, as a co-founding member of the FemAnVi research collective. He served as well as co-ordinator, and then, co-investigator, for the PROUD action research project.  He launched a Canadian Association for Social Work Education initiative to draw attention to the sometimes oppressive language used within the social work profession. As well, during a community development field placement, he organized a concert for seniors, giving them an up-close role in producing the program.  Between 2016 and 2018, John did a master’s in social work and human rights in Sweden at the University of Göteborg. He was looking to gain a better understanding of the Scandinavian welfare state, including its social policies and practices. In Sweden, he organized one international conference on social work and human rights and another on internet governance issues from a human rights perspective.  John had a capacity for wonder and for seeing beauty everywhere, while still perceiving the changes needed for a more inclusive society with greater solidarity. His many friends, colleagues and family members are contributing to this scholarship in his honour.