Two Carleton University PhD students, Alejandro Hernandez and Melissa Armstrong, have each been awarded a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) valued at $150,000, $50,000 a year for three years.
Hernandez is a doctoral student in the Sociology program, starting his second year. He will use the funds to cover his research in the area of migration and its importance in Canada, and specifically how Latinas/os in some Canadian cities maintain relationships across borders.
“When scholars analyze migration they usually focus on the receiving country, but they rarely look back at the countries of origin which, in one way or another, have been tied to Canada due to the links established by migrants and their offspring,” said Hernandez. “Since we do not really know much about this other side of the coin, my research looks to contribute to this gap of knowledge, understanding how such relationships are established and what their outcomes are.”
This research may improve understanding about the impact Latina/o immigrants and refugees in Canada are having beyond Canadian borders and how immigrants shape perceptions and concrete experiences of people outside Canada.
Armstrong is entering her second year of a History doctorate. Her research involves the provision of health care by the African National Congress (ANC) to its members in exile and its military wing, Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), during the struggle for South African liberation.
“One of the challenges of studying South African history while at a Canadian university is the cost of doing research,” said Armstrong. “This award will enable me to travel to South Africa and make use of the archives that are spread out across the country. I will be able to conduct interviews with people throughout South Africa and I will be able to present my research at African history conferences–especially those in southern Africa.”
Armstrong chose to attend Carleton primarily because she wanted to work with Prof. Susanne Klausen, an established South African medical historian. Klausen has provided experienced guidance and has extended Armstrong’s access to research networks in South Africa. Carleton is also home to the first Institute of African Studies (IAS) in Canada, to which more than 40 faculty members are affiliated. Armstrong has already been given opportunities to present her research at events organized by the IAS. Finally, Carleton’s location in the Ottawa, the nation’s capital, is ideal for meeting officials that work at or visit the African embassies based here.
Introduced in the 2008 federal budget, the CGS program was created to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain the world’s top doctoral students. Nominees are evaluated on academic excellence, research potential and leadership ability.
About Carleton University
Located in the nation’s capital, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution with a tradition of leading change. Its internationally recognized faculty, staff and researchers provide more than 25,000 full- and part-time students from every province and more than 100 countries around the world with academic opportunities in more than 65 programs of study, including public affairs, journalism, film studies, engineering, high technology, and international studies. Carleton’s creative, interdisciplinary and international approach to research has led to many significant discoveries and creative works in science and technology, business, governance, public policy and the arts. As an innovative institution, Carleton is uniquely committed to developing solutions to real-world problems by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding daily.
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