Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, with additional support from the Faculty of Engineering, is pleased to be sending three doctoral students to Lake Opinicon for the 2024 Lake Shift writing retreat.
Hosted annually by Queen’s University, Lake Shift is a writing retreat for doctoral students from Ontario universities. The retreat provides doctoral students structured time to write, includes workshops for effective dissertation writing, and allows attendees network with other doctoral students. When students aren’t writing, they’re able to take full advantage of the lakeside life, including swimming, boating, hiking, and campfires.
This year, Lake Shift will take place from July 7-12, and Humaira Shoaib, Natalie Doan, and Fatima Suleiman will be attending from Waterloo. Learn more about this years’ attendees and what they are most looking forward to at Lake Shift:
Humaira Shoaib is a PhD candidate in the Department of English Language and Literature. Her research lies at the intersection of Critical Muslim Studies, Post-colonial studies, Diaspora Studies, and the rhetoric of social justice. As a mother of three sons, Humaira says it can be challenging to concentrate on dissertation writing, especially during the summer months when her children are at home. She is looking forward to “diving in” to her dissertation at Lake Shift and points out that the change of scenery will be great for physical and mental health.
Natalie Doan is a PhD candidate in the School of Public Health Sciences. Her research focuses on systemic and structural barriers preventing adults in Canada from eating well. Over recent years, Natalie has tried to jump start a writing retreat with her peers to overcome the barriers solitary writing can hold. However, Natalie found it difficult to find a time and place that suited everyone’s schedules. When she heard about Lake Shift, she jumped at the opportunity and says that it is “just what [she] needs” at this stage in her dissertation.
Fatima Suleiman is a PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. Her research focuses on developing robust pyrometry algorithms for Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS). Fatima says it can be challenging to find focused writing time while juggling all the daily tasks she is responsible for on campus. Although she has gained great benefits from accessing resources on campus, such as Dissertation Boost Camp at the Writing and Communication Centre, she is looking forward to being able to detach from campus and boost her productivity at Lake Shift.
Missed this year’s call for applications? Keep an eye out in 2025 to apply! You can also check out the many resources available on campus, especially those offered by the Writing and Communication Centre.