Hoornaz Keshavarzian

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

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

I am a PhD candidate, which means that I wear the hats of both a researcher and a teacher. I find communication and media studies to be a very dynamic field given the crucial momentum in our current global landscape particularly when it comes to the pervasive gender oppression. This field allows me to extend my commitment to such issues beyond the academic realm, but also offers me the scholarship to contribute to the broader conversation surrounding social justice.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose SFU primarily because of the cutting-edge and critical reputation of the School of Communication. We recently celebrated our School's 50th anniversary and I am grateful to be a part of this forward-thinking community. When I was exploring my options prior to getting an admission, SFU emerged as a shining star. What sealed the deal was the chance to study under the supervision of some of my favourite academics including Drs. Adel Iskandar, Daniel Ahadi, and Cait McKinney.

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

My research explores the ways in which women in Iran, either individually or collectively, resist and subvert what I call "hegemonic modesty" - the state's imposed gendered ideology.

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

Transnational Feminism, Middle East, Transgressive Bodies

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

At the heart of all of these experiences are the incredible people that I had the opportunity to work with, whether a research team, my students, or the amazing faculty members in our School. However, the absolute highlight for me would be the refreshing writing retreats that we have with my fellow grads, where we get together to work collaboratively in a supportive environment. The camaraderie reminds us that we are not alone in our challenging academic journey.