This weekend brought a major change in direction for my academic work, a revelation that has me rethinking my entire research focus. For a while now, I’ve been immersed in the world of subcultural communication, fascinated by how people use "nerd-spaces" to express their identities and connect with both their in-groups and the world outside.
But after some deep conversations with friends and family, my perspective has shifted. The alarming rise of authoritarian and fascist ideals, both south of the border and on a global scale, has me looking for answers in the past. It's become clear that to understand the present, we must first learn from those who came before.
My new research will focus on the rise of fascism around World War II, with a broader look at other historical periods. The goal is to draw direct parallels to contemporary events, particularly in the United States, to shed light on our current global climate.
To support this project, I'm applying for a Canadian research grant. The deadline is December 1st at 6 p.m. MT, so the clock is ticking! This grant would fund the next phase of my study, which is all about on-the-ground, in-person research.
The plan is to travel to locations of historical significance, where I can sit with the weight of history and study the information and artifacts firsthand. This phase will be a form of historical immersion, without live interviews or human interaction. It's a quiet, reflective process of text, image, and data collection. I'll be using visual media like photography to create a personal, mobile archive of what I find.
So far, my list of potential research locations includes:
The Warsaw World War II Museum
The Gdansk World War II Museum
Vimy Ridge
Normandy Beach
This isn't just an academic exercise; it's a personal mission to understand our history so we can better navigate our future. The parallels are too stark to ignore, and I believe that by studying the past, we can find the tools to confront the challenges of the present.