Overview

The PhD in English at Simon Fraser University is a research-intensive program designed to develop advanced scholarly expertise in literary and cultural studies. Objectives include fostering original research through coursework, comprehensive examinations, and a dissertation, with an emphasis on critical analysis, theoretical frameworks, and interdisciplinary approaches to literature from various historical periods and genres.

Unique features include opportunities for specialization in areas such as Canadian literature, postcolonial studies, and digital humanities, supported by the department's commitment to innovative pedagogy and community engagement.

Career Prospects

Graduates are prepared for academic careers in teaching and research, as well as roles in publishing, cultural institutions, and professional writing. The program equips students with transferable skills in analysis, communication, and project management.

Key Faculty/Staff

• Renée Dijkman, Associate Professor, specializing in Victorian literature and gender studies
• Michael Christie, Professor, focusing on Indigenous literatures and narrative theory
• Other notable faculty include experts in modernism, ecocriticism, and rhetoric

Unique Facilities or Partnerships

The program benefits from access to the W.A.C. Bennett Library's extensive collections in humanities, the Belzberg Library for interdisciplinary resources, and partnerships with local cultural organizations like the Vancouver International Writers Festival. Students also engage with the Centre for Educational Excellence for teaching development.