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- Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies in Graduate Studies
"Sarah embodies the peaceful world that she works tirelessly to create around her. She understands the radical importance of working not just externally but within ourselves if we are to find collective justice, peace, and compassion. She works with others instead of for or over them, and expands her anti-oppressive lens with each year around the sun. Anyone fortunate enough to work with Sarah will walk away feeling seen, cared for, and better than before. It has been a true pleasure to know this amazing woman for over a decade and her community is better because of her presence."
Shila Leblanc, Human Rights Officer, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Student Profile: Sarah Cibert
Master's Student in Gender, Sexuality, and Womens Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
I love hearing the stories of the brilliant people in my life — whether friends, family, or professors. Community building is my passion in life, and I hope through my academic pursuits and future careers I can continue to bring people together to learn and grow.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?
Labour studies is a relatively new discipline in Canadian academia, with origins mostly in Ontario. I was excited that SFU offered such a strong gender and sexuality studies program as well as labour studies. I want to contribute to union research through Western voices.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH.
On a very micro scale, through hearing the perspectives of union members, staff, and leadership, I am trying to gain a sense of how effective current human rights advocacy strategies are by unions in Western Canada, specifically for defending LGBTQ workers rights.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?
The professors I’ve been studying and working with. I have received overwhelming academic and emotional support and say I truly look up to each of them.
HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.
I’ve been very grateful to receive the Grace Wordsworth MacInnis Graduate Award, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Award, and the Margaret and Claude Mitchell Graduate Award. On a personal level, these awards have given me the opportunity to stay focused on my studies and teaching. As a graduate student trying to stay afloat in Vancouver, I’m deeply grateful for that. It is also inspiring to know there is donor support for research in the area of LGBTQ and union advocacy.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM?
This program is the opportunity to delve into research on an issue both historically and contemporarily relevant. At times, it feels overwhelming to work through research that has relatively small pre-existing data. However, it is also exciting to know you’re contributing to new literature.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS?
Keep breathing through the feelings of impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and the stress of student debt because it’s truly an amazing thing to be able to connect with humans to create research and data. Ask for help from your loved ones, and utilize the support offered on campus through health and wellness.
Contact Sarah: scibart@sfu.ca