91ÅÝܽ

International Studies (MAIS) master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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

My childhood was marked by Nature-immersive experiences and the influence of inspiring family members, friends, and intentional communities. Spending significant time learning from these human and non-human relationships helped shape my worldviews and academic pursuits. I am specifically interested in researching what motivates people to develop passionate and sustainable (long-lasting) pro-environmental values.

My desire to make a meaningful difference for people and the Planet led me to pursue my Bachelor of Community Development with Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESST) at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, where I graduated with Honours, Co-op distinction, and a 4.27/4.33 GPA. During this degree, my passion for research blossomed as I wrote my Honours Thesis on relationships between Nature immersion, animism, empathy for non-human matter, and pro-environmental motivation. My social and environmental commitments led me to become Acadia University's first Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Campus Coordinator for the UN-sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth program. This role fuelled my interest in exploring pro-environmental motivation on a global scale.

Together, these experiences inspired me to apply for the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) program at 91ÅÝܽ (SFU), where I continue to pursue my dedication to research and sustainability on an international level.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I chose to attend SFU because of its excellent ranking as a leading research institution and its beautiful oceanside campus. The MAIS program, in particular, drew me in with its interdisciplinary approach to international issues and renowned faculty. I felt confident that I would have the opportunity and faculty support to pursue fascinating research topics while expanding my knowledge in several meaningful areas. 

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

For my master's thesis, I am researching the potential long-term effects of childhood forest school education (regular, structured outdoor learning) on environmental commitment in adulthood. In other words, I am researching if attending forest school as a child or teenager makes people become environmentalists when they grow up, and if so, to what extent and why this occurs.

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

Forest, Environmentalism, Education

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

I am currently in my third semester of the MAIS program, focusing on writing my master's thesis. So far, I have completed eight courses, worked as Dr. Megan MacKenzie's Research Assistant, and volunteered as a collaborating member of the Planning Group for the Research Network on Women, Peace & Security (RN-WPS). These experiences have broadened my professional networks, enhanced my teamwork skills, and deepened my understanding of global issues.

In my courses, many professors have encouraged me to interweave my passion for environmental motivation with course material, which has been invaluable for my knowledge-building and career considerations. As an RA for Dr. Megan MacKenzie, I co-authored a published literature review examining whether women in leadership spend differently on defence, and gained invaluable experience writing and editing policy briefs. My volunteer work with RN-WPS has also strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and creative thinking skills. I anticipate that these experiences, along with those yet to come—including publishing and presenting my master's thesis—will open doors in both academia and my future career.

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

In addition to the entrance scholarship, I received a Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Master's (CGS-M) by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and a NEADS scholarship for students with disabilities. I am incredibly grateful for my scholarships, because they have made it possible for me to me to attend SFU and excel in my studies.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

As a graduate student, properly balancing my academic and personal life has become imperative to my academic success and quality of life. I make sure to schedule time for my schoolwork, job, health, and social commitments. I like to start on projects early so I have the freedom to stick to a regular sleep schedule and listen to my body when I need to rest or take a break.

Contact Kaitlyn:kaitlyn_mclay@sfu.ca

Additional Links