I completed my bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Techniques in 2018, specializing in Organizational Communication and Advertising. Aware of the power of written and spoken word, I decided to study an MA in Sociology to understand better how society develops and functions and raise awareness about societal issues.

Born and raised in Mexico – a country where over 50 percent of the population lives in poverty; delinquency is so pervasive one can hardly live unscathed by it, and around ten women are assassinated every day for gender reasons – I am sensitive to societal problems and concerned about improving other people's lives through my life and work.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

As soon as I considered enrolling in an MA, I thought of Canada and Simon Fraser University appeared to me as an attractive option due to its global ranking. More importantly, I was particularly drawn by the program's multidisciplinary foundation in anthropology and sociology, since I consider it essential to understand human beings to interpret their social behaviour. Also, faculty research interests aligned with my own.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH AND/OR PROGRAM.

Since I started writing my undergraduate thesis on the Conceptualization of sexual education in single mothers and their youngsters, I have been passionate about sexuality. For this reason, I plan to focus my thesis research on young adults and their sexualities, specifically the way that they internalize (or not) the messages received in school-based sex education and how that knowledge shapes their perceptions, appreciations, thoughts and actions regarding sex and sexuality.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

SFU is a multicultural environment full of opportunities and with supportive staff. Not only do I have a fantastic supervisor (Dr. Dany Lacombe), but great professors and amazing classmates from which I have learned a lot. Furthermore, having the opportunity to work as a Research Assistant has allowed me to grow as a scholar and individual. SFU's research-intensive orientation and commitment to the common good make it a perfect place to study a Graduate Program in the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR FUNDED AWARDS?

I received a Graduate Entrance Scholarship during my first term at SFU, and I am honoured and grateful for being the recipient of this award. It has allowed me to devote more time to my studies and focus on my academic objectives without worrying about my personal and family economy, especially during the economic recession my country is experiencing due to the global pandemic. It has also motivated me to pursue my research interests and become a better scholar for myself and the well-being of Canadian and Mexican societies.

Contact  Erika: elz1@sfu.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erika-lucero-zaldívar