About

I am a cis settler living on the Haldimand Tract in Kitchener, Ontario, with my partner, an elderly, opinionated cat, and a young former-feral cat who still isn’t sure we won’t eat her when she lets her guard down. I use she/her pronouns. I aspire to read more science fiction than I currently have.

Current work

Research Associate and Writing Consultant
June 2024 – present
Social Innovation Research Group (SIRG) Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University

  • Edit various written materials
  • Advise graduate students and colleagues on wording, sentence structure, argument, and grammar
  • Write and edit grant proposals
  • Aggregate research for inclusion in literature scans and reviews
  • Collaborate with colleagues to write and edit project reports
  • Schedule and run meetings with interest-holders and potential clients
  • Assist the Director in daily tasks
  • Liaise with internal Laurier staff such as IT and Facilities Management

Background knowledges

Here are some of the topics or issues that I’ve studied extensively / have lived experience of:

  • solarpunk
  • the historical literary imagination of crisis
  • cold-war science fiction post-apocalyptic & apocalyptic imaginaries
  • current attitudes towards the climate crisis, especially among millennials
  • Canadian literature (history and development)
  • historical ecofeminist thought
  • science fiction feminisms (especially of the 2nd wave)
  • ecocriticism
  • climate fiction or “cli-fi”
  • hopepunk
  • doomerism
  • affects and emotions surrounding the climate crisis
  • living a feminist life as a gender-nonconforming cis woman

Some history

I graduated with a BA in English and Women & Gender Studies (with distinction) in 2010, a Book and Magazine Publishing Certificate in 2012, an MA in English in 2015, and a PhD in English in 2021. You can view a more detailed description of my work as a writing tutor, primary instructor of English literature, research assistant, and editor in various capacities throughout my post-secondary career at my LinkedIn page.

Before entering graduate school, I was employed as an English teacher (of adult students) in Japan, completed a post-graduate certificate in publishing from Centennial College in Toronto, and worked in the Canadian publishing industry.

Prior positions

A selection of past jobs I have done.

Research Associate, Rights Management Project Manager
The SpokenWeb Project
September 2021 - August 2024
University of Alberta - Remote

  • Initiated outreach to content creators regarding digital distribution of archival audio
  • Researched content creator (or estate) contact(s); conducted personalized correspondence
  • Managed files tied to content creators in Trello management system
  • Created and managed exclusive Aviary platform access for content creators
  • Kept consistent log of all correspondence and permissions granted or denied
  • Hosted virtual rights management workshop
  • Presented on research findings with colleagues at multiple conferences
  • Researched, wrote, and edited papers on research findings (in conjunction with colleagues)

Non-fiction Section Co-Editor
Solarpunk Magazine
August 2021-December 2022
Eugene, OR - Remote

  • Edited and proofread non-fiction articles for online magazine alongside co-editor
  • Made executive decisions on what to publish depending on content and style
  • Provided feedback to authors as edits were substantive as well as copy-level
  • Used Moksha submission/acceptance technology for written work
  • Communicated with authors about edits, publication schedule, accessability, and other concerns
  • Solicited work from specific individuals (researched beforehand_
  • Wrote non-fiction articles for blog and contributed written work as Patreon rewards
  • Conducted, transcribed, edited, and integrated interviews into published articles for magazine
  • Created, produced, and co-hosted “Solarpunk Presents” spinoff of magazine’s podcast “Solarpunk Futures”
  • Liaised with other section editors on issue content and cohesiveness.

Graduate Research Assistant
The SpokenWeb Project
September 2020 – August 2021
University of Alberta

  • Recorded metadata for archival tapes / reel-to-reel recordings
  • Listened to and timestamped digitized audio; research any anomalies
  • Produced podcast “Academics on Air” April 2022
  • Presented research findings at Spokenweb Graduate Conference “The Sound of Literature in Time”
  • Researched, wrote, and edited papers on research findings (in conjunction with colleagues)

Graduate Research Assistant
iDoc film interview project - Just Powers
January – April 2018
University of Alberta

  • Assisted in filming and production of documentary interviews
  • Communicated, met with, and prepared interviewees for day-of production process
  • Coordinated with other research assistants on technical details and locations
  • Aggregated and disseminated mp3 and other data

Graduate Research Assistant
Just Powers - Future Energy Systems
September – December 2017
University of Alberta

  • Researched and communicated with prospective interviewees on behalf of project’s Primary Investigator in advance of research trips
  • Provided assistance with informational organization
  • Developed and maintained document templates in online filing system
  • Presented project findings and represented organization at conferences