Jennifer Jakob

Jen Jakob (she/they) is a poet and editor. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History (Carleton University, 2023) and a Master of Arts degree in English Literature (Queen’s University, 2024). With a background in nineteenth-century British history and literature, Jen’s research is largely focused on neo-Victorian texts and examines both traditional and non-traditional literary genres, including historical fiction novels, film, graphic narratives, and video games. Jen’s poetry has been published across Canada in publications such as QT Literary Magazine, The Lamp, and Eavesdrop Magazine. They also hold the position of Poetry Editor at flo. literary magazine in Ottawa. They currently reside in Ottawa, Ontario.

How has your Carleton English degree informed your professional and/or creative path?

My time in Carleton’s English department was truly formative for me. Being one of the first undergraduate classes to return to campus after the pandemic was a strange and challenging experience. However, I was lucky enough to be surrounded (virtually) by peers who were eager to build community, despite the circumstances of our studies. When classes resumed on campus, several of us joined together to reestablish the Carleton English Literature Society, which served as a nexus for many literary connections I maintain to this day.

Through my extracurricular involvement at Carleton and the guidance of amazing professors, I was able to find a place for my voice in the Ottawa literary community. I was lucky enough to gain experience in creative and academic writing that helped me in my graduate studies and my personal publications. In addition to the English Literature Society, I was also part of the Poetics Society, which opened doors to the broader creative-writing scene in the city. I started attending open mic nights and met many local writers, got involved with Ottawa’s International Poetry Festival (VERSeFest), and joined an editorial board for a local literary magazine. I was also lucky enough to be on the inaugural editorial “board” of Carleton’s literary magazine Sumac.

Why Carleton?  What specific experiences or opportunities did you benefit from while studying English at Carleton?

I originally chose Carleton for its proximity to the national galleries, museums, and historical sites, since my degree was in both English and History. And while this was always a wonderful aspect of my studies, I benefitted most from Carleton’s diverse and eclectic literary curriculum, which included diasporic and Indigenous literatures. This exposure to a variety of cultures and stories outside of my own lived experience broadened my worldview and enriched my learning experience. I was able to apply this to my specialization in nineteenth-century British literature by approaching my research through an anti-colonial lens. By decentering imperialism in my studies, I discovered my passion for researching Queer Theory and queer history, ultimately leading to the projects I accomplished in my Master’s program at Queen’s.