Regina Baeza Martinez

Sociology & Anthropology master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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

I am a Master's student in Sociology at SFU. My work is part advocacy and part scholarship. I am largely motivated by a desire to help generate meaningful social change, especially as it pertains to Indigenous & Migrant Justice, which I see as intertwined and overlapping. My work is also inspired by my Mexican background, and my own im(migration) journey.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I completed my undergraduate studies (Honours with Distinction in Sociology, Minor in Indigenous Studies, Certificate in Social Justice) at SFU. I am very grateful to have met wonderful mentors during my undergraduate years -- including Dr. Michael Hathaway and Dr. Evelyn Encalada Grez. I decided to continue my Master’s at SFU under their co-supervision in large part to keep learning and growing in this supportive environment.

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

I study the transnational place-making practices of Indigenous migrant farmworkers from Guatemala who are recruited to work in BC.

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

Place-Making; Migrant Labour; Latin America

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

I have been fortunate to work as an RA for a number of years now. First, I am the Project Manager of a SSHRC-funded research project called Transnationally Indigenous (https://www.transnationallyindigenous.com/), which is led by Dr. Michael Hathaway and looks at Indigenous global travels and activism since the 1970s. I have been on the project since 2021. As Project Manager, I have learned how to organize the complex components of a large project that includes collaborators and co-investigators from universities across Canada. I have also been inspired to consider the role of transnationalism and collective-agency as it pertains to Indigenous peoples' activism and advocacy. Next, since fall 2022, I have also been a Research Assistant for Dr. Evelyn Encalada Grez’s project, The Case of Mayan Migrant Farmworkers in Canada. Her work on Indigenous migrants has inspired my research, and I have been fortunate to get on-the-ground experience through my work with her.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I received a SSHRC-CGSM in spring 2024. This scholarship has made it possible for me to travel to conduct fieldwork in Guatemala as part of my master’s thesis.

What have been the most valuable lessons you've learned along your graduate student journey (or in becoming a graduate student)?

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned (and that I am still learning) is the importance of planning feasible research projects, and then pivoting when necessary as new information and conditions emerge.

How do you approach networking and building connections in and outside of your academic community?

The ability to build new connections is one of my favorite parts of grad school. I have a running list of people I want to meet, and make weekly-attempts to connect with new circles. I also value working consistently with the migrant worker advocacy community in BC.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

Take days off and call your friends!

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

Mi mamá y mis hermanas.

Contact Regina:rbaezama@sfu.ca

Additional Links

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