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An event poster with a photo on the left showing a SMU History student presenting at a conference, with images on the screen behind her. On the right is white text on a maroon background: Faculty of Arts 2025 Student Conference, Friday, March 21, Back this year: Arts alumni roundtable!

Faculty of Arts Student Conference 2025

All are welcome to join us as undergraduate and graduate Arts students present and discuss their research at our annual conference. It's taking place on Friday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the CLARI Lab (Atrium 360). The event is a great opportunity for students to share their work and get valuable feedback from faculty and students in other academic disciplines.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

9:30-10 a.m. Tea/Coffee and Welcoming Remarks
Dr. Sara Malton, Associate Dean of Arts, Research and Faculty Support

10-11 a.m. Panel 1 – Art, Gender, and Sexuality

Alexis Vickers, History; Ancient Roman Influences in Nazi Art: Aesthetics, Symbolism and Cultural Policy
Shelby Smith, History; Homosexuality and the Nazi Party: The Political Weaponization of Paragraph 175
Gabriella Samways, History; Life in Ordinary Times: Rothesay, Scotland before the Witch-trial of 1662
Megan Crowell, History; Sacred Breasts: Analyzing Images of St. Agatha
Shantelle March, Chair; Joshua Giguere, Moderator

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Panel 2 – Exploring Challenging Themes through Digital Humanities and Experiential Learning

Douglas Mutch, Sociology; Environmental Racism and Underdevelopment in Preston, Nova Scotia
Benjamin Shaffer, Anthropology and Public Humanities and Heritage; Halifax's Lost Communities: Bill Mont's Life in Greenbank
Shannon Cameron, Public Humanities and Heritage; Learning Difficult Histories in the Field: Difficult Knowledge and Creation of Public Memory
Katheryn van Heuveln, Chair; John Barranger, Moderator

12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch Feature: Alumni Roundtable – What Can I Do with an Arts Degree?

Nick Misener BA’10, Partner & Technology Recruitment Practice Lead, Venor; Major: English
Samantha Adema BA’15, Indigenous Services Librarian, Dalhousie University; Majors: History and Classics
Wesley Weatherbee BA’18 MA’21, Laboratory Technician, Anthropology Department, Saint Mary’s; Majors: Anthropology, Geography/Archaeology
Shelby Smith, Chair; Alex Stokes, Moderator

1:30-2:30 p.m. Panel 3 – Memory, Perception, and Controversy of World War II

Kathryn van Heuveln, History; Interactive Oral Histories a Case Study: Voices from the Front at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana
Joshua Giguere, History; A Silk Noose: Insubordination and Imperial War Responsibility in Japan
John Barranger, History; At the tip of the spear, IJA bridging operations in Malaya
Alexis Vickers, Chair; Danny Englehutt, Moderator

2:45-3:45 p.m. Panel 4 – Public Infrastructure and Institutions in the Maritimes

Daniel Englehutt, History; “Courtesy and Efficiency” Developing a Service Culture At the Public Service Commission of Halifax 1945-1955
Shantelle March, History; Animaligonians: Halifax's 19th Century Acclimatization Efforts
Alex Stokes, Atlantic Canada Studies; Exploring Perceptions of Citizenship and Place in Prince Edward Island's Curricula
Megan Crowell, Chair; Gabriella Samways, Moderator

4-5 p.m. Panel 5 – Difficult Heritage: Emotive Experiences & Modern-Day Connections

Liv Brennan, Anthropology & Public Humanities and Heritage; Difficult Heritage: Topography of Terror
Luc LeBlanc, Geography; Difficult Heritage: Jewish Museum
Marina Penner, Environmental Science; Difficult Heritage: Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Shelby Smith, Chair; Shantell March, Moderator

5 p.m. Closing Remarks
Dr. Heather Green, Department of History

Our thanks to the Alumni Office for supporting this event. Thanks also to our student presenters and alumni guest speakers!

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