Coming to St. Jerome's University as a specialist in Postcolonial and Canadian Literature represents a bit of a homecoming for me. Not only did I take ENGL 316: Canadian Drama at St. Jerome's University from Dr. Ted McGee as I was deciding if I'd pursue graduate work, but also my first term as a graduate student brought me to St. Jerome's University for a course in Canadian Poetry. Much of my current work both as a researcher and a teacher has been inspired by those early experiences.
If I had to pick, I’d say poetry is my favourite genre to study (and to write), but my interests tend to be rather broad. My MA thesis dealt with representations of the supernatural in Canadian Children’s Literature (likely a bit inspired by the popularity of The X-Files at the time, I’m afraid) and my PhD dissertation focused on the use of visual experimentation by poets of the Caribbean diaspora (e.g., Claire Harris and M. NourbeSe Philip). I’m a bit artistic, with an undergraduate minor in Fine Arts, so my work in literary studies often deals with intersections between the visual arts and literature. My current project examines how the visual arts are used in contemporary Canadian literature to explore experiences of (un)belonging. I also very much value Canadian literature as something we live in the midst of; it surrounds us if we let it. As co-organizer of St. Jerome’s University's Reading Series, which brings Canadian writers to campus for readings, I hope to play a part in letting Canadian literature have a recognized and appreciated place among us.