大象传媒

Political Science master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

Currently, I am a Masters Student in the Political Science Department, finishing my MA thesis on factors that influence violence against women. I am a Canadian Permanent Resident originally from California. I am inspired to continue in my chosen field due to the historical and contemporary political situations that not only place men above women in importance but also blame women for men鈥檚 unwillingness to take responsibility for their shortcomings. We are in precarious times, and knowing and discussing is the center of resistance. If we stop talking about these topics, we will lose the progress we have made toward gender equality - and that negatively impacts everyone.

Why did you choose to come to 大象传媒?

I chose 大象传媒 for my studies for a mix of personal, academic, and practical reasons. After the 2016 US election, I wanted to move away from the US. With my sister already at 大象传媒, it felt like the right opportunity to be close to family. 大象传媒 being in Canada and having affordable healthcare were also essential benefits. My focus on violence against women led me back to 大象传媒 for my MA. After taking a class with Dr. Laurel Weldon in my undergrad, I was drawn to her expertise in feminist theory, movements, and violence against women. Her mentorship and the opportunity to work with her were key factors in my decision. I also valued the Political Science department鈥檚 focus on social data analytics, which taught me valuable quantitative research skills. Completing my MA at 大象传媒 not only deepened my expertise in feminist theory and violence against women but also provided mentorship, research skills, and valuable employment opportunities that have been essential in advancing my career.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

My research focuses on femicide, a severe form of violence against women. At its core, violence against women is rooted in societal views that place men above women and deny women equal human rights. Nearly every country has signed the international law, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which promises legal protection for women from violence. Through both qualitative (case study and process tracing) and quantitative methods (creating an original global dataset, R, Stata), I explore how CEDAW might influence femicide over time. I examine how CEDAW relates to the growth of women's movements, the adoption of national anti-violence laws, and changing public attitudes toward violence against women, and how these factors lead to the overall impact on femicide rates.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Violence Against Women, International Law, Feminist Movements

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

I have engaged in a variety of courses, Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) positions, and non-academic experiences that have contributed significantly to my academic and professional development.

My courses, particularly those focused on qualitative and quantitative methods, taught me that there are many ways to approach and engage with the world, think about questions, and consider different perspectives. Through these experiences, I learned that the key to effective research is gathering data and communicating it clearly. Without this, even the best research has a limited reach and impact.

As a TA for POL150: Science, Policy, and Innovation, I discovered the gap between scientific research and policy development. This experience taught me the importance of effectively communicating complex ideas to a wide audience, a skill I continue to develop in my own work.

In my co-op placement as a Research and Communications Assistant with The Pacific Institute of Pathogens and Society, I conducted community-engaged research on protecting lung health in vulnerable communities. I communicated scientific findings about fire smoke and pathogens and assisted in creating DIY air cleaner workshops for those with financial or mobility limitations. The resources I helped develop, including open-source guides and videos, are now available on the BC Lung and BC CDC websites. This experience pushed me to think about how to mobilize my own research.

As a Research Assistant for the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, I gained insight into academic leadership by supporting initiatives such as the FASS Strategic Research Plan, grant proposals, and organizing speaker events. This broadened my perspective of academia beyond the student experience.

To further develop my skills in communicating research, I completed the 大象传媒 Summer Institute: Research Meets Policy and the York University Knowledge Mobilization Certificate. These programs taught me how to effectively share my research with various audiences.

Motivated by this, I competed in the FASS 3MT competition, where I received the "Peoples Choice" Award. The 3MT competition allows me to share my research, reach out to local like-minded organizations, involve my family, friends, and colleagues in my research, see what my fellow students are working on, and start thinking of what's next after academia.

I have also taken on various leadership positions within 大象传媒's Political Science Department, the Canadian International Council think tank, and the political organization Democrats Abroad.

These experiences have helped shape my academic journey and professional development, enhancing my ability to conduct meaningful research and confidently communicate it to diverse audiences.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

As an international student, I was not eligible to receive many awards. Luckily, I received three research awards from the Political Science Department for my high academic achievements. These awards significantly improved my quality of life as a student because I used them to pay my tuition and rent, allowing me to focus on my research and professional development.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

There is no meritocracy, and no one will promote or advocate for you in the way you can for yourself. If you want something, you must work and directly ask for it.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

I approach networking and building connections to get to know someone and what they do inside and outside of work, and I try to genuinely care about the people I meet. People remember how you make them feel, and seeing someone for who they are - rather than just a link to a job - makes friends, not just connections.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

This is something I am still working on. I am a workaholic, but I can tell you that you must set aside time to ensure you don鈥檛 burn out. Take breaks when needed, or your body will make you take them at inopportune times.

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

I鈥檇 like to thank all my family, friends, and mentors for their support. I鈥檇 like to pay a special tribute to my organ transplant donor; I wouldn鈥檛 be here without their charity.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you come across this profile and are interested in my research, collaboration, PhD program or hiring offers, please visit my LinkedIn or email me.

Contact Tatiana: tparrish@sfu.ca

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