What exactly is intersectionality, you might be wondering? Intersectionality is a sociological framework used to understand the social and political identities of an individual and a group when discussing race, class, gender, sexuality, and, most recently, disability. This theoretical framework stems from critical race theory and feminist studies in the 90s to describe how these … [Read more…]
Territory Acknowledgement & Positionality I want to acknowledge that the lands on which I work, study, and live—within the St. John’s area—are situated in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, including the Beothuk [bee-oth-uck] and Mi’kmaq [mee-gum-maq] on the island of Newfoundland. Further, I acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures in the … [Read more…]
Two incidents that occurred during the data collection stage of my master’s thesis made me recognize the importance of policy-engaged research. As a graduate student conducting research on infant and maternal mortality, I conducted a study at a health facility. I selected three local health facilities and scheduled appointments with the heads of nursing departments … [Read more…]
Promoting accessibility and flexibility within the classroom can benefit more than just disabled students. Without knowing it, other students may have been subjected to and utilized various learning methods presented in the classroom by their instructors. These methods can range from videos (and live lectures) with closed captioning to lecture notes provided before or after class. Even … [Read more…]
I owe everything that I have done in my academic life to three things: first, my relentless and persistent resoluteness that frequently stems from the spite of the tough times, the nay-sayers, and the heartaches I have ever felt; second, my yearning to broaden my horizon to something bigger than myself; and third, the stunning … [Read more…]
Nothing is impossible for the one who believes so. This summarizes Dan’s transition into Canada. Dan came to Canada as an international student. Back in his home country, he was a thriving professional. Upon arriving here, he was allowed by his employer to work remotely while studying. So, the ambitious professional concluded he wouldn’t take … [Read more…]
My first sight of a university without a gate was in 2022 when I landed in Canada and visited Memorial University for the first time. The aura and symbolic idea of a gate-less university contrasted sharply with my experience of a typical university in the Global South. For security, border demarcation, and ownership, a fence … [Read more…]
Territory Acknowledgement The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is situated in the traditional territory of various Indigenous groups, and I respectfully acknowledge the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit who have called this place home since time immemorial. Introduction Before undergraduate studies, I was unaware of the diverse Indigenous history … [Read more…]
I don’t think I can accurately put into summation what it feels like being a graduate student. I usually resort to a dark humor-esque analogy when my relatives and friends bombard me with the ever-common question: “So how is graduate school going Meghan?” My favorite comeback thus far has to be: “Moments of sheer unhinged … [Read more…]
Growing up as a disabled person in Newfoundland, I never considered what being disabled genuinely meant until I began thinking about what life after high school should look like for me. Looking that far into the future was a scary endeavour, one that I continue to think about as I navigate through the last few … [Read more…]