Professors Myra Bloom and Jean Michel Montsion, from York University's Glendon College, have been appointed as Eakin Visiting Fellows at the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC) for the 2024-25 academic year.
The Eakin Visiting Fellowship is awarded to scholars who have demonstrated a significant contribution to the understanding of Canadian society, culture and public policy. This dual appointment is not only a testament to the individual achievements of Bloom and Montsion but also a reflection of Glendon’s growing influence in the critical study of Canada.
Bloom, an associate professor of English, will serve as a visiting fellow during the Fall 2024 semester. Her research focuses on contemporary Canadian literature – particularly, the intersections of gender, identity and narrative form in women's writing. Bloom will use this fellowship to further her project "Evasive Maneuvers: Women’s Confessional Writing in Canada," supported by a Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant. Her work investigates the complex dynamics of self-disclosure and confessional culture in Canadian literature.
In addition to her research, Bloom will teach an upper-year seminar at McGill University on Canadian feminist literature, and produce a podcast series exploring related themes. “As a bilingual Canadianist, I very much look forward to participating in Montreal’s vibrant culture and academic communities,” says Bloom.
Montsion, an associate professor of multidisciplinary studies, will take up his fellowship in Winter 2025. His research examines the intersection of urban studies, migration and international mobility, with a particular focus on how Canadian cities manage diversity and integration in a globalized context. During his fellowship, Montsion plans to advance his research on the role of Canadian cities as key players in integrative trade, further contributing to discussions on multilevel governance and urban policy at MISC.
“Along with Toronto, Montreal is a key case study in the development of Canadian gateway cities," says Montsion, whose course at McGill will delve into the comparative urban dynamics of such cities. "This fellowship is a great opportunity to expand my study of the Montreal case, while sharing my insights about other Canadian hubs with the McGill community.”
For more information about the Eakin Visiting Fellowship, visit the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada website.