Caelen Campbell is in the Master of Arts for Teachers of English (MATE) Program at Simon Fraser University in the 2020 - 2022 Cohort.
Do you have any research interests? What are they?
My research focuses on contemporary Indigenous, Black Canadian, Queer, and Female-authored literature. I am interested in applying best education practices in combination with academia in order to enhance British Columbia Elementary School classrooms and curriculum.
How did you get involved with the WPHP?
I was looking for a Research Assistant position, and read the description of WPHP on SFU’s job listings, and was intrigued as it appeared to have much overlap with my own interests and research. I explored the Women’s Print History Project website; the database, the podcasts, and the spotlights, and was absolutely hooked by this project and knew I needed to apply.
Do you have a favourite entry that you’ve worked on? What is it/why?
One of my favourite things about working on WPHP is having the opportunity to explore works that I would otherwise not have read or found. When I am verifying titles, they are often so specific about their content and lengthy that they are almost read as anecdotes in and of themselves and this amuses me greatly. An example of this from the database would be “A pairt of the life of Lady Margaret Cuninghame, daughter of the Earl of Glencairn, that she had with her first husband, the Master of Evandale. The just and true account thereof, as it was at first written with her own hand; including a letter to her husband the Master of Evandale, and another to my Lady Marquess of Hamilton, with her last will, sent to the said Lady Marquess, inclosed therein.”
What is something surprising that you’ve learned while working on the WPHP?
I have learned so much more about how much information can be decoded from what is printed in a title about who had a hand in making it and where, through the colophon and imprint, as well as the wide variety of ways an author would sign their name, be that discrete or with much flare.
What is your hometown?
I was born and raised in the lovely city of Victoria, BC.
What do you do for fun when you aren’t working on the WPHP?
I am a pretty stereotypical West Coast person who relishes the fact that we live both at the ocean and mountainside. To take full advantage of this geographic glory I spend my free time hiking, biking, doing yoga, running, kayaking, SUPing, nurturing the considerable amount of plants in our urban jungle (apartment), and of course, I also spend a lot of time reading.
What is your favourite book and/or film?
It is incredibly difficult for me to choose a favourite book, however, some books which I have read recently and adored are; ‘Shame on Me’ by Tessa McWatts, ‘Something I’ve Been Meaning to Tell You’ by David Chariandy, ‘Shut Up You’re Pretty’ by Téa Mutonji, and ‘In the Wake’ by Christina Sharpe.