Jennifer Carpenter (she/her)

What do you study? I’m not a researcher; I write for a living as a science journalist.  This has put me in a good position to teach graduate students how to build good writing habits, overcome barriers to writing, and hone their skills in communicating with advisors, people in their discipline and the wider community of non-specialists (the public).

What does this mean you do day to day? This means that I spend my days editing students’ writing, as well as running writing camps and media training workshops.  I also spend time discussing how students feel when they write.  Writing, even academic writing, reveals a lot about our identities, and the stories we tell ourselves about how we got here and whether we belong.  I sift through this with students, alongside how to use a topic sentence.

When you aren’t picking over students’ writing, how do you spend your time? I love cooking large pots of food and having friends come round to eat, sing, and play music.  I enjoy cycling my kids to corners of the city to discover its forgotten rivers and hidden creatures; it helps me forget how far I live from the ocean. 

Why did you take on this committee work? I took on this work because I was asked to act as institutional memory for this committee through the years, and to support students in what is, sometimes, difficult work.  I *keep* doing this work as I am always learning from my committee members; they make this work delightful with their insight, power, and drive for change.  

As a member of this committee, what relevant training have you received? Identify, Assist, Refer, SafeTALK: Suicide Alertness for Everyone, and Sexual Violence Disclosure Skills.

How would I find you if I need to?  I’m in the department Tuesdays and Fridays, and I’m happy to meet for tea, grab lunch or talk over Zoom.  Send me an email (jennifer.carpenter@utoronto.ca) to connect.