Profiles | Nick Shaffer

Graduate Researcher | Master’s Student

Hi all! I’m Nick Shaffer (he/him). I’m an international student (from the States) returning to academia after a couple of years teaching languages. I’ve been very passionate about learning languages and discovering other cultures since I was young. These interests led me to explore an academic background in anthropology (BA) and linguistics (BA, MA).

The anthropological perspectives I encountered in my studies taught me much about the powerful relationship between language, ideology, power, identity and institutions. Personally, I find viewing the world through this lens to be very fulfilling as it allows to me constantly discover new patterns of social meaning, even in the most familiar of environments. Recently, I’ve started to ponder how I can build upon the social theories I’ve learned to work towards making tangible change in our society. Instead of forging a path in academia as an ethnographer or a linguist, I’ve decided to further develop my critical writing skills to pursue a career in public policy analysis. I see myself becoming Canadian and working in either the Canadian government or an NGO.

My research areas of interest include indigenous-settler relations (including self-government of First Nations) environmental health, and even immigration. I’m especially interested in how environmental protections are formulated in implemented in modern-treaty negotiation. I’m extraverted, adventurous, kind, and very curious! In my free time, I enjoy exploring nature and listening to world music.