Amy Harris

Communication doctoral student in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology

My time at SFU started nearly a decade ago when I took some higher level English courses to bolster my undergrad degree, initially wanting to go into the teaching program. However, when my career took a different direction I stayed in industry for a few more years, and then returned to do a full-time Master's in Communication in 2018, which led straight to the PhD program following its completion in 2020. Throughout it has been a constant journey of learning, and I am always advocating for how much I LOVE being a student and the overwhelming joy of it.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

Initially it was a choice of convenience, but it became a deliberate decision to return and then stay following the inspiring work of the faculty I have been privileged enough to get close to and work with. The combination of the thrill of the city of Vancouver and local mountains, the choice of program at SFU and the world-class faculty to learn from, and the opportunities both provided and sought for, there wasn't really any other option as attractive.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

The world of communication encompasses so many aspects of daily life it is both easy and hard to describe the breadth and depth of what is covered in the program, the research being done by colleagues in the School, and the potential for what could be studied in the future. For me, I have crafted my research project through a long and sometimes convoluted path where I have been a bit of a magpie - choosing various elements that have interested me and brought them together. Now that my thesis is taking shape, I can narrow it down to say that my research looks at how museums and exhibitions about climate change help people to understand what the future will look like.

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

I can honestly say that I love everything about being a student - it is such a privilege to be able to choose something I am interested in to study in such depth, to be able to discuss that with smart colleagues and learn so much from them and their own work, and to be surrounded by interested and interesting people on a day to day basis. Where else can claim the same??

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.

It was 3rd time the charm for me applying for a Doctoral Canada Graduate Scholarships which I was thrilled to receive in May 2022. This has honestly been the greatest asset to enabling my research to progress in a timely manner, and relieved a lot of the financial pressure encountered while trying to be a grad student in Vancouver. The funding from the department has been helpful in contributing to this too, but the SSHRC has been the one that has really made the difference and means that my research can expand and include more interesting locations and opportunities.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM/POSTDOC POSITION TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM OR POSTDOC POSITION?

The School of Communication genuinely includes faculty who care about your work, who want to see you succeed and, regardless of the subject of your research, want you to learn as much as possible. There are obviously hiccups here and there, but overall I have zero qualms about recommending the School to any prospective student.