Tomos Land

Political Science | Master's degree | Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences

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

My name is Tomos Land and I am a graduate student in the political science department.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I was interested in studying for a graduate degree in Canada and SFU gave me the opportunity to do that. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to join the political science department under the supervision of Dr. Anil Hira in 2023. Both Dr. Hira and the department have provided a foundation from which I have been able to develop both my academic and professional skills immensely and I am eternally grateful.

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

My research explores a topic that resembles an underlying health condition in relation to its impact on our national security. It can be hard to connect biodiversity loss and national security, but its symptoms - crop failures, natural disasters and zoonotic diseases - are much more widely recognised by the general public as a threat to the integrity of the state. Contributing to the existing literature that explicitly makes this link between national security and biodiversity loss is the aim of my research.

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

Interdisciplinary, Timely and Actionable

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

Having spent a considerable amount of time during my undergraduate degree studying under pandemic restrictions, I have tried to make the most of every opportunity the department has provided during my graduate degree. I have worked as a teaching assistant for POL 100 and POL 253, completed two Co-Op work semesters, worked as a research assistant for the Clean Energy Research Group, competed in the Faculty's 3MT competition, presented a paper at a conference in Paris and this summer will be attending the NATO Field School! Each of these opportunities have helped put me in the best possible position to enter a highly competitive job market when I graduate and made me a more well-rounded student, which will serve me well if I decide to return to SFU for further studies.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I am extremely grateful to both Dr. Anil Hira and the wider political science department. I have had the pleasure of working for Dr. Sanjay Jeram and Dr. Logan Masilamani during my degree and taking classes with Dr. Michael Howlett, Dr. Aaron Hoffman, Dr. Eline de Rooij and Dr. Radoslav Dimitrov. Additionally, Dr. Clare McGovern has been immensely helpful throughout my degree. SFU is incredibly lucky to have such competent and caring faculty members working on Burnaby Mountain.

Contact Tomos: tomos_land@sfu.ca

Additional Links

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