Kathleen Reed

I'm a 2nd year PhD student in GSWS. I'm on a study leave from my job as an Assessment & Data Librarian at Vancouver Island University, where I've worked for 10 years. When I'm not studying, I volunteer with the Nanaimo Foodshare Society, train in Shotokan karate, and do a lot of scuba diving. Underwater is my happy place. :-)

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

My supervisor - Dr. Travers (SA) - is one of the top scholars in the world on trans youth,  an engaged activist, and a great person overall.  I wanted to work with them, and to be in a department (GSWS) that was a supportive and welcoming environment. My SFU experience has been outstanding due to the people, the program, and the supports (library, Grad Studies office, IT, etc).

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH AND/OR PROGRAM.

I study how trans youth in BC connect to support and resources online, including how they handle privacy issues and misinformation.

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

The people! Everyone in my department has been wonderful to work with - faculty, staff, fellow students. 

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

SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, plus an extra stipend from the Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research, a joint initiative of the Department of Canadian Heritage and SSHRC.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM TO THOSE WHO ARE SEARCHING.

My program offers students the opportunity to do graduate-level research into gender, sexuality, and women's studies from an intersectional perspective. Students are passionate about social justice, and many of our projects are driven by the motivation to make the world a more just place for people who have traditionally been margainlized due to racialization, sexuality, gender, Indigeneity, class, etc.

Contact Kathleen: kjreed@sfu.ca
Twitter: @kathleenreed