Kathleen Riddell
Kathleen completed her PhD in 2023. Her dissertation concerned how dead celebrities create meaning and purpose in the lives of fans, particularly in an area of scholarship known as fandom-as-religion. Her two case studies were John Lennon and Johnny Cash. She attended fan events in New York City (Lennon) and Nashville, Tennessee (Cash), where she did participant observation and met fans to interview. Kathleen found that fan experience with Lennon or Cash is not unlike that of adherents of traditional religious figures, and that fan identity develops in relation to the celebrity, as an extension of the self. She has published her work in the Journal of Fandom Studies, the Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, and the Journal of Contemporary Religion. Kathleen has also appeared in various news media outlets including CBC News, CTV News, the Toronto Star, The National Post, and The Globe and Mail.
Since 2019, Kathleen has worked as a researcher and policy analyst with the Department of Justice Canada. Her work has touched on criminal and Indigenous justice and involves policy surrounding Federal-Provincial-Territorial initiatives. She resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
Tucker Finch
Upon entering my undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo in Fall of 2019, I had no particular interest in religious studies. This would all change when in 2022 I had a radical conversion experience to the Catholic faith. As I began to explore my beliefs as a Christian, the religious studies department gave me opportunities to learn more about important topics such as history, theology, and scripture. All of these experiences have been formative in me growing deeper in understanding in a topic I am very passionate about. The religious studies minor was very flexible, and this allowed me to pursue courses that interested me, which was of great benefit.
Now, I am finishing my last few terms of a Master’s in Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel. I was introduced to this program through the connections that I made with the religious studies faculty at Grebel. I am very thankful for the professors who have taught me both in undergraduate and graduate level studies. Looking back, I can see how they have formed how I approach academics and things like the study of scripture. My experience in the religious studies faculty prepared me for the master’s work that I am doing now.
Looking ahead, I am wiating to hear back from faculties of education accross the province regarding my application to the Bachelor’s of Education program. Over the course of my studies, I have found a love for not only learning, but teaching as well! With my religious studies minor and MTS degree, I thought for some time that I wanted to teach religious education in Catholic high schools. But, over time and experience as a classroom supervisor in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, I have discovered my joy in teaching younger children. This discovery was exciting, but left me feeling like perhaps my time spent in religious studies and MTS was a waste. Thankfully, I spoke with a religious sister of the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate in Cambridge regarding this. She said that having an MTS while working with young children is a huge asset because they often ask deep and profound questions. Her words reminded me that none of our efforts can truly be wasted. It has been a winding road to get to where I am today, and more turns still lay ahead of me I am sure, but I am thankful for my experiences in the religious studies department and all that have come out of them.
Isabelle Carreiro
While I began my studies at the University of Waterloo with the ultimate goal of entering the field of education, it was not until I took my first Catholic Studies course that my path towards becoming a Catholic Educator was cemented. During my studies, I was afforded the opportunity to explore new concepts within Catholicism with dissent in Catholic Education being a particular area of interest. Through my studies I was able to develop an understanding of the common areas of dissent within Catholicism and develop ways to approach these areas with sensitivity within my own practice as an educator.
Since completing my degree in 2025, I have subsequently begun my Bachelor of Education degree with a focus on Religious Education in Catholic Schools, and Social Sciences. Through my time completing my Bachelor of Education I have continued to share my passion for Religious Education with my colleagues, and especially my students. Through my teaching I hope to ignite a similar interest in Religion with my students while also allowing them the space to wrestle with the difficult questions that come with having faith in a higher power.