Zoë Abernethy
Gig Work/the Gig Economy; Platform Capitalism; Community/Coalition Unionism; Neoliberal Labour Relations/Business Unionism; Ideology and critical discourse analysis; Labour/Social Movement Studies; Social Reproduction Theory
Before beginning your studies at the Institute of Political Economy where did you study and what program(s) were you enrolled in?
I completed my BA Hons. in Media and the Public Interest at Western University in 2021.
What is it specifically that attracted you to study Political Economy at Carleton?
I’ve been drawn to Political Economy since first encountering it through a Media Studies/Communications lens as an undergrad. When I found a Canadian program that fostered the interdisciplinary, critical approach that made me fall in love with academia, it was a no-brainer to apply!
My areas of research interest include…
Gig Work/the Gig Economy; Platform Capitalism; Community/Coalition Unionism; Neoliberal Labour Relations/Business Unionism; Ideology and critical discourse analysis; Labour/Social Movement Studies; Social Reproduction Theory.
What activities have you been involved in lately? (work placement, work experience, Undergraduate research, research positions, volunteer work, awards, travel, favourite books)
I’m the Unit 1 Vice-President of CUPE 4600, representing my fellow TAs, internally-funded RAs and Service Assistants here at Carleton in this year’s round of collective bargaining (alongside a number of IPE colleagues who are also on the Unit 1 Negotiating Team!)
What advice would you give to a prospective Political Economy graduate student?
It’s good to have an idea of what you want to study early on, but it’s also okay if you aren’t sure when you start, or if you change your mind – don’t be overly narrow to begin with or you may miss out on some invaluable learning experiences. Try to identify your intellectual “itch” – what is the thing you always come back to? What could you obsess over for 2 years and not get sick of, but also not get lost in?