Vanita Clare

Current Position

I am currently a first-year Ph.D. student. My research interests include exploring the relationship between resource extraction and gender-based violence in Canada, particularly exploring the disproportionate impact on Indigenous women. Looking at labour practices employed by the resource sector and how it reinforces historical patterns of colonial violence.

Favourite Memories at UTM 

Doing my ROP with Prof Andrea Olive really introduced me to a side of academia I had not explored before. I think this ROP really impacted my trajectory into academia right now. I still keep in touch with Prof Olive, and she is actually my mentor in this Ph.D. program for my first year! So these connections really do last and are very valuable.

I was really involved in student services on campus, particularly with the Health and Counselling Centre and the Career Centre. I met some of the best friends through those experiences and really grew into the person I am. Deciding to be part of these services really fostered a sense of community for me on campus and really brought out a sense of belonging. And of course, being awarded a Principal's Involvement Award is a nice feeling.

I really enjoyed all my political science courses (particularly the upper-year courses). There were some very cool courses I got to take. I focused on international relations, so many of the courses I took were around topics like international law, global governance, military conflict, etc.