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Experiences of belonging

30 Jul 2020

LaurenShay_SocResearchSummer2020A sense of community is something both rural and urban centres typically strive for. 69成人电影网 University sociology and women鈥檚 and gender studies and psychology student Lauren Shay is examining belonging and community this summer from a perspective not widely discussed 鈥 that of queer individuals in rural areas.

Her summer research project, Experiences of belonging for queer individuals in rural Nova Scotia communities, is part of the University鈥檚 Independent Summer Research Grant program and has received support from the Class of 1946 Summer Student Research Scholarship.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking to learn more about how belonging is structured in spaces. Rural communities provide a different sense of belonging compared to urban centres, particularly for underrepresented groups such as queer individuals,鈥 she says.

Shay鈥檚 project supervised by Dr. Leslie Kern (Geography and Environment, Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies) and Dr. Krista Johnston (Canadian Studies, Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies).

鈥淟auren鈥檚 research is part of a growing body of work challenging the overwhelming urban focus of most research on queer spaces,鈥 says Kern. 鈥淭o date, very little is known about non-urban queer experiences in the Atlantic provinces."

Shay says this topic is something close to her, drawing from personal experience as a queer individual growing up in rural Nova Scotia.

鈥淭his topic is one that is very personal for me,鈥 says Shay. 鈥淭here is not a lot of research done in this area around rural environments. A lot of work focuses on urban ones but key differences can exist, especially around education and resources available in the community.鈥

Shay is listening to individuals鈥 experiences in several rural communities across the province. She had originally planned to recruit interviewees for her study through community notices and posters but had to move her work online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 able to go to Nova Scotia for the first two months of my research,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 changed my plan and moved online, primarily using social media to recruit participants.鈥

As part of her summer project, Shay is also completing a literary review. While the interview portion of Shay鈥檚 study is just getting started due to the pandemic, she says people seem excited to share their experiences. She has heard from individuals across the province of various ages.

鈥淢y goal is hear from queer individuals about their experiences in rural communities but also gain insight on what is being done in terms of support and hear ideas about what could be added to this supports, things like education and resources,鈥 she says. 鈥淭here is an importance around rural life and what kind of support systems small communities can offer.鈥

Outside of her studies, Shay is President of the 69成人电影网 Sociology Society and a member of the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Society. She also worked as the Opinions editor for the Argosy, 69成人电影网鈥檚 independent student newspaper.

鈥淲orking with these societies, and the paper, gave me some valuable experience when preparing for this research project,鈥 says Shay. 鈥淵ou learn a lot about research and relationship management in these roles.鈥

Shay plans to pursue Master鈥檚 studies, building on this research, following 69成人电影网.

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