Naomi Keenan O'Shea

Geography doctoral student in the Faculty of Environment

I am a PhD student from Ireland with a background in film studies and gender studies. It has been really exciting to work with folks in human geography who value and encourage interdisciplinary research and who give support to one another within and beyond academia.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I came to SFU to research under the supervision of Dr. Nick Blomley whose work on property and power relations is central to my research. There is exciting work taking place on this topic in the local community that I hope to put into conversation with questions around propertied power in Ireland.

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

I am interested in the relationship between property, land ownership, and subject formation within colonial and capitalist relations. Situated in Ireland, my research explores the relationships between colonial power, the Catholic Church's ownership of land, and current private redevelopment. I am interested in the gendered and racial logics that underwrite these relationships and I ask how our lives and identities come to be shaped by and against these power relations.

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

It is such a pleasure to share ideas and space with folks at SFU, particularly when doing research is so isolating during a pandemic. I have been really fortunate to be able to learn with and from people in person this year.

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.

Receiving a Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship gave me financial security and space to find my feet during my first year at SFU.

Contact : nrk4@sfu.ca