Three University of Waterloo doctoral students headed to Lake Shift

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is pleased to be sending three doctoral students to Lake Opinicon for the 2023 Lake Shift writing retreat. Cael Dobson, Mana Monfared, and Emily Shantz will be spending July 2-7, 2023 at the Queen’s Biology Station on Lake Opinicon. While at Lake Opinicon, these students will have dedicated and structured time to write, partake in workshops on effective dissertation writing, and network with doctoral students from other Ontario universities.

Learn more about the three attendees and what they are most looking forward to about Lake Shift: 

Cael Dobson is a PhD candidate in the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts. Over the last year they have experienced some writing setbacks and are finding it challenging to work steadily alone. When asked why they would like to attend Lake Shift Cael said “I work best when collaboratively working with others toward our own goals.  Attending Lake Shift will help give me the push I need to accomplish my goal of finishing a full draft this summer.”

Mana Monfared is a PhD candidate in the School of Optometry and Vision Science. Mana has not been able to visit home in over two years due to the ongoing unrest in Iran and other obstacles. At Lake Shift Mana would like to learn how to streamline the dissertation writing process more effectively and efficiently to meet upcoming deadlines. Mana says “as a girl from far away and different cultures, I have faced immigration issues, along with a sense of missing family. This trip will not only help heal these disruptive feelings but will also help me write my dissertation.”

Emily Shantz is a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management in the Faculty of Environment. As a health researcher, she is passionate about promoting health and well-being for all. Like many graduate students, Emily has experienced challenges in balancing dedicated writing time with other research projects and teaching responsibilities. Looking towards the Lake Shift, Emily says, “I’m really looking forward to the opportunities for productivity, collaboration, and promotion of wellbeing through Lake Opnicon’s natural environment.”