Researcher Spotlight No. 12: Nicole Laura Surette-Bourque

Back again for another CEMVC researcher spotlight? This week we are showcasing Nicole!

Nicole is very passionate about her education in Classics, ancient Greek, Latin, and Visual and Material Culture Studies. Currently in her 5th and final year of her undergraduate studies at Mount Allison University, she has exciting plans to move forward into a graduate studies program next year. Her research interests involve using material culture as evidence to show the connections between Ancient Greek populations and the indigenous populations they colonized, as well as the othering of non-Greek populations by the Greeks. Her work with the CEMVC project as a data analyst started in 2024, and she is super excited to be working with the team! 

Question #1: What interested you in working for the CEMVC? 

I first became interested in the centre when Dr. Beck told me about one of her projects. As a person studying classics (Ancient Greece and Rome), sometimes my studies can bleed into the medieval period. Because of this, I thought it would be exciting to get the chance to work on a project where I can research and exercise both of my areas of studies at once. 

Question #2: What are your plans for the future and how have your studies in VMCS affected your training?

Currently I am focusing on my education, finishing my undergraduate degree, and moving on to a masters degree in Classical Archaeology. Although I have been thinking of a PhD as well, I like to take things one step at a time and not overwhelm myself too much in advance. My studies in VMCS have greatly affected the way I look at media today. The discipline really trains you to look for signs within media in order to see the messaging behind them. Ultimately, my end goal is to work in Classical Archaeology in the future, and maybe even becoming a professor! 

Question #3: If you had a superpower, what would you want it to be?

I would definitely teleport. I could wake up and go anywhere at the snap of my fingers - which would cut down travel time and cost by 100% - and I don't think I would ever get tired of it.