Shivangi Mistry
I am Shivangi Mistry, a fourth-year student at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, majoring in Global Development Studies and History. My interests lie in the history of economic development with a specific focus on the economic implications of colonialism and imperialism in present-day South Asia. With these interests and a passion for history, it has been a dream to work for the Poverty Research Network.
I began working with the Network in January 2021, with one of my first tasks being assigned to edit a series of academic papers that were to be published in a Special Edition Journal. Being a part of this process was incredibly insightful, and the knowledge and experience I gained have remained valuable as I was able to learn about the publishing process and to add my name into a larger project, I would not have dreamed to ever be a part of. My work also extended into conducting research when tasked with creating a literature review for a research initiative headed by a few members of the Network. I was able to explore literature and foundational research currently conducted in the area of interest. Not only did this task prepare me for undertaking future literature reviews but challenged me to look beyond the realm of topical research. I was forced to explore further issues which were interconnected within the topic to understand the complexity of the case study being reviewed and further my knowledge of how colonial histories impact the present.
I then continued to work through the Network by aiding the development of a sister group, The Food Sovereignty Network, which saw my work as an administrator. My work was focused on organizing a series of seminars and workshops that brought local food growers, producers, and servicers that collectively worked to further the accessibility of food and produce to the city of Glasgow. My participation in this project allowed me to see and coordinate the networking of various individuals within these events, which had a significant impact on my understanding of the topic. By the end, I could see the true interconnectedness of the food industry in Glasgow and the issues and progress that the city has seen regarding the topic.
While this is a minimal insight into my participation at both Networks, I have made valuable connections and relationships, gained professional work experience, and furthered my passion and love for history. This experience, while ongoing, has set me up with valuable skills that I will bring to graduate school and will assist in my understanding of how to make the most of an academic workplace such as this to advance my prospects both in my career and other opportunities.