As January's initial excitement settles, February emerges as a month of focused momentum, bringing CAnD3 back into its dynamic research orbit, with learning activities and an upcoming Lunch&Learn that promises to dive deep into the cutting-edge world of government AI practices. As our community is primed to tackle ambitious goals,聽meet Kaitlin Wannamaker and Shabnoor Nabi - two PhD students in Sociology, whose passion and curiosity are reshaping our understanding of complex social dynamics.
Kaitlin Wannamaker
Welcome to today鈥檚 interview, Kaitlin! As tradition, could you share a pivotal moment that shaped your research path and how CAnD3 has reinforced your research purpose?
A pivotal moment in my research journey came through embracing quantitative methods and gaining the confidence to learn statistics and how to code, ultimately shaping the type of researcher I aspire to be. CAnD3 has been instrumental in reinforcing my research purpose, offering invaluable opportunities like last October鈥檚 PopAging DataViz Workshop at Florida State University. Experiences like these make me optimistic about continuing to grow as a researcher, especially as I look forward to applying and expanding these skills during my CAnD3 internship with Statistics Canada this Spring/Summer!
Congratulations on your internship! Now, speaking of impactful experiences, could you share a recent publication or project that you're particularly proud of? What made it exciting or challenging?
I鈥檓 proud to co-author a recent paper with my partner, Joel Nicholas Persaud聽鈥� he is from Lennox Island First Nation (a Mi'kmaq reserve in Prince Edward Island) and works in Indigenous policy reform. The paper is聽titled 鈥淒ecolonizing Education: Advancing Indigenous Student Success Through Culturally Responsive Practices in Ontario". It has been accepted by AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, and is in production, expected to be published in February 2025! The most exciting aspect of this work was, without a doubt, getting to work on an Indigenous project led by an Indigenous researcher (Joel).
Your achievements are truly impressive - it's clear you're making significant strides in your research during your time at CAnD3! Now, let's explore your aspirations further: if you could instantly access any dataset in the world for your research, what would it be and how would it advance your work?
It would be a comprehensive longitudinal dataset spanning from 1960-present, capturing the design, implementation, and outcomes of social policies across First Nations communities in Canada. This dataset would integrate administrative records, qualitative data reflecting community-defined measures of well-being, and quantitative indicators such as poverty rates, inequality, and social spending. Access to such data would allow me to critically evaluate how universalism functions and impacts Indigenous communities. It will advance my PhD research on reconceptualizing universal social policies by bridging mainstream welfare state frameworks with Indigenous methodologies, fostering equitable and culturally informed policy co-development with communities that better addresses the needs of First Nations populations in Canada.
Finally, outside the realm of research, what hobby or interest do you have that might surprise people?
Outside of research, playing chess has been a regular hobby for almost 5 years (see photo)! Favourite chess piece? Easily the rook (the pawn is a close second).
Thank you, Kaitlin, for sharing your insights and your strategic approach to both chess and research!
Shabnoor Nabi聽
Now, let鈥檚 shift our focus to another remarkable CAnD3 Fellow, Shabnoor, who also brings a unique perspective to her research journey. Let鈥檚 begin with your journey as well: What is an unforgettable moment that shaped your research path and how CAnD3 has supported your research purpose?
It was during my second-year PhD practicum project, where I used data from the Demographic Health Surveys for Pakistan to explore how educational homogamy and hypogamy influence gender and marital power dynamics. This experience sharpened my analytical focus on understanding the workings of gender and autonomy in developing economies. As a CAnD3 Fellow, opportunities like the Shark Tank Competition during the PopAging DataViz Workshop back in October reinforced my focus by enabling me to hone my skills in data visualization and analysis. Presenting data stories under time constraints enhanced my ability to communicate complex research effectively, bridging the gap between academic insights and actionable takeaways via good dataviz.
That sounds like an enriching experience! Can you tell us about a recent publication or project that you're proud of? What were the exciting or challenging aspects?
I鈥檓 proud of being an analytical lead on one of the sub-projects under the PACT study led by P.I. Melissa Milkie, where I presented at the (2024). The most exciting aspect was analyzing how American fathers reshaped their parenting roles and work-family dynamics during the pandemic. The challenge lay in distilling complex qualitative data from US and Canada fathers into patterned insights on fatherhood and wellbeing, highlighting the evolving role of flexibility in shaping post-pandemic family life.
Fantastic! Now, if you could instantly access any dataset for your research, what would it be and how would it enhance your work?
If I could instantly and freely access the complete, individual level micro-data of Gallup World Poll, it would significantly enhance my research by providing globally comparable, nationally representative data on critical issues like well-being, gender dynamics, and socio-economic conditions. This dataset鈥檚 extensive coverage of over 160 countries, including developing economies like Pakistan, would allow me to analyze how socio-economic factors, such as education and employment, influence women鈥檚 autonomy and marital power. The ability to identify cross-country patterns and trend data over time would enable me to contextualize findings within global frameworks and highlight unique regional challenges. Leveraging this data could also facilitate evidence-based policy recommendations to address gender disparities and improve social outcomes, making a meaningful impact on both academic discourse and practical interventions in developing economies.
Lastly, outside of your academic pursuits, what hobby or interest do you have that might surprise people?
Outside of research, I鈥檓 passionate about drinking loose-leaf tea, watching Bollywood movies, and savoring all things sweet and spicy! In my free time, I absolutely love listening to or reading up on up horror and crime stories.
Thank you both for giving us a glimpse into your research worlds! Your stories remind us that behind every dataset and research project are real people with incredible curiosity and drive. We're excited to see where your academic paths will lead and how you'll continue to push boundaries at CAnD3.
