A Lawyer's Perspective

Tell us a bit about your background. Where did you grow up and what were your main interests?

I was born in Illinois to academic parents, both of whom grew up in conflict zones. My father (originally Palestinian) is a Professor of Electrical Engineering; my mother (originally Kashmiri) studied Library Information Science, teaches courses on Islam and feminism, and started a social services organization. Both have deep interests in an amazing range of subjects.

My family lived in the Washington, DC area, post-911. As a visibly Muslim woman this influenced the way that I move about in the world and understand human interaction. Growing up in the margins greatly heightened my interest in social, economic and gender justice issues.

Everyone in my family prizes education and I never expected to follow a single-track degree. I was always very curious and constantly ask "why" things are as they are. I also studied violin and have always loved the outdoors.

What is your primary professional commitment?

I represent clients in all facets of commercial litigation, from patent law to investigations. I also maintain a robust pro bono practice, working on issues related to national security and asylum. Versatility is one of my strengths.

Why did you decide to join KI when you entered the university?

In tenth grade, I attended a one-week program called Waterloo Unlimited. I was always interested in the nature of knowledge, and through this introduction to Ed Jernigan and to an especially exciting way of thinking, decided to apply to the Knowledge Integration.

I actually applied to two other university programs as well, mostly because there were three options listed on the form I submitted. Really, though, I was committed to KI from the start. I felt welcomed and knew that it would be a good fit for me.

Which course have you found most valuable professionally or personally? Why?

I actually want to comment briefly on two courses and then at greater length on the Senior Research Project.

Professor Linda Carson's Creative Thinking course dramatically shifted my thinking and inspired me to recognize and enhance my creativity. I realized that creativity can be learned: it is not simply a genetic gift. 

I wasn't looking forward to Design Thinking, but it, too, was transformative. We spent about the first ten minutes of each class simply observing objects or people in the room. It taught me that the longer you consider something, the more you actually see. This heightened awareness can reveal all sorts of nuances and can be applied to any problem you need to solve.

Some students are apprehensive about the year-long Senior Research Project (SRP). It requires a high level of self-motivation, in-depth study and often results in a lengthy major paper. Students may also invent games, make films, present a series of paintings, or complete other major projects. Regardless of the specific result, SRP requires each student to truly integrate the knowledge they have gained through their degree work and use it in a substantial way.

By contrast, I really looked forward to the Senior Research Project. There is so much more you can do in two terms, rather than one, and I felt like I had been catapulted into grad school. The freedom to pursue my own research, and the realization that the KI professors trusted me to act as the driving force behind this work was wonderful. Students do report on their progress along the way and get extra support as needed, but overall, it was my responsibility, and completion of the project was amazingly empowering. I later presented the paper at conferences, and it was a great addition to my resume.

Keeping in mind that this interview is aimed at a general audience, can you briefly describe the subject of your Senior Research Project?

For decades, indigenous people and feminists have challenged the operation of colonialism and patriarchy in the social sciences, which often operates through the guise of “objectivity.” But objectivity isn’t a single idea—it’s a collection of assumptions and attitudes. Notions of objectivity often place white, wealthy European ways of knowing above others, and women, people of color, colonized peoples, and those who are economically exploited are told they are more emotional, less impartial, and less capable of objective judgments. In my SRP, I wanted to challenge hierarchies of knowing and posit that we must broaden the scope of what we understand to be valid. I was especially interested in work produced by people who find themselves holding intersecting marginalized identities.

What are the most important things you gained through your work in KI?

The impact was apparent when I was at UW and continued to resonate through law school and into my current practice. In a political science course I took, the professor specifically commented on the distinctive way I tackled the questions raised and the research required--it went beyond the work of typical undergraduates. I didn't make the same assumptions that other students made and was more inclined to ask questions.

And, in KI, there is a lot of freedom to take electives of particular interest. Rather than taking the easiest science courses like "chemistry for non-majors," I went ahead and took the more difficult chemistry course for science majors. I had to work extra hard, and my grades weren't always the best, but I learned to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

I gained a combination of great self-confidence and epistemic humility through my work in KI. I know I can gain at least a working knowledge of any subject and at the same time, I am not stuck in my primary discipline and its paradigms. I see that every discipline embraces particular ways of knowing and that all of them are valuable.

What advice might you give to students entering or considering KI?

Whether you are pursuing an academic career or building your own business, you need to stand out from the crowd. Simply having a degree in Knowledge Integration is distinctive in itself. Interviewers tend to be interested in this unexpected degree, and when you describe it, they are fascinated and impressed. The personal and professional impact is significant and long-lasting.

This interview is part of a project conducted by Dr. Mary Stewart during her two-month fellowship at the University of Waterloo in the fall of 2022. Thank you to Dr. Stewart for her work in highlighting the transdisciplinary nature of the KI program and its community members, and to Fulbright Canada for making this opportunity possible.