What’s the purpose of a PhD journey?

By: ​Marieliv Flores Villalobos

There are different paths that can take you on a PhD journey. In my case, it was an opportunity to work with people that I admire and be part of a critical academic team.

Being part of the academic world has made me realize that there is no more powerful movement than the one that originates from la calle, the community, and the people. As researchers and social justice advocates, we have a responsibility to contribute to their projects, fights, and claims for justice. As a graduate student, I was honoured with opportunities to learn about decolonization, feminism, Indigenous cultures, Canadian history, the prophecies of Abya Yala, and the importance of making space for love, laughter, and joy while working on complex subjects. 

Finding the topic for my PhD project was not an easy task. It took me two years to find a way to honour my background and the land that had welcomed me. In other words, I tried to answer the question: What is a Peruvian immigrant and her dog doing in Edmonton at this moment in their lives? After some introspection and the guidance of my supervisors and professors, I was able to find an answer: I’m in this land, now called Edmonton, to do my best to connect the stories of my land and this land. I am in this PhD journey to provide a space for women to speak about our health, menstrual experiences and how we embody the culture and knowledge of our land.

This journey has its own challenges and rewards. I am grateful for every decision and the people who have led me to this moment. I’m working so my project can contribute to a better understanding of the connection between women, the menstrual cycle, and the land. 

Sources:

• Alvergne, A., & Tabor, V. H. (2018). Is Female Health Cyclical? Evolutionary Perspectives on Menstruation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution
• Anderson, K. (2011). Life stages and Native women : memory, teachings, and story medicine. University of Manitoba Press. 
• Antígona, L. (2024, March 26). Crisis silenciosa: Desvelando la pobreza menstrual en Perú. La Antigona. https://laantigona.com/crisis-silenciosa-desvelando-la-pobreza-menstrual-en-peru/
• Berg, J. A., Shaver, J., Woods, N. F., & Kostas-Polston, E. A. (2022). Women’s sexual/reproductive health and access challenges amid COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing Outlook, 70(2), 238–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2022.01.003
• Guerrero Arias, P. (2010). Corazonar, una antropología comprometida con la vida: Miradas otras desde Abya-Yala para la decolonización del poder, del saber y del ser. Ediciones Abya-Yala, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana.

Marieliv’s work engages with critical analysis of the relationship between biopower and intersectionality, she is a PhD candidate at the School of Public Health (University of Alberta).