Graduate Student Blog
Welcome to the Population and Place Research Lab’s Graduate Student Blog! Here you will find blog entries devised and written by graduate student members of the Research Lab. From experiences in the field to conference presentations to general reflections, the Graduate Student Blog offers an opportunity for you to peek inside the exciting life of a graduate student working on research related to population and place changes and the opportunities and challenges that come with them. It also gives you a chance to get to know some of the amazing people working in the Research Lab.
Enjoy!
- Under the Big Top Tent: Reflections from Playposium 2026By Liat Schultz Nearly one month ago, I said my see ya laters to a giant striped circus tent in Exeter, England. For four days, that tent became home to nearly 100 people who had travelled from around the world to ask one deceptively simple question: How can we build a more playful society? And… Read more: Under the Big Top Tent: Reflections from Playposium 2026
- Just north enough to be perfect*: My conference experiences in Sweden and Finland
Academic conferences have brought me to some pretty unique places over the years, including China, Corsica, and Sicily. This past June, I had the pleasure of travelling to Europe to take part in two international conferences in two Nordic cities: Gothenburg, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland. Despite being geographically close to one another (closer than Toronto… Read more: Just north enough to be perfect*: My conference experiences in Sweden and Finland - A Beginner’s Guide to Co-DesignAt the beginning of December 2025, I travelled to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) in Nova Scotia to facilitate a co-design workshop at the Bras d’Or Seniors and Pensioners Club. This workshop was conducted as fieldwork for my Master of Urban and Regional Planning thesis at Queen’s University, supervised by Dr. Maxwell Hartt. My… Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Co-Design
- Looking Up: Paris’ Majestic CeilingsOne of the many benefits of being in an active research lab like the Pop Place is the incredible international connections and experiences you can make with the support of your supervisor. In the summer of 2024, thanks to the David Edney Research Travel Award, I had the opportunity to live in Paris for two… Read more: Looking Up: Paris’ Majestic Ceilings
- A Day at the Great Wall (Mutianyu Edition)Have you ever been to the Great Wall of China? Let me give you the rundown. We arrived at Mutianyu on a Sunday morning. This is one of the most popular and best-preserved sections of the Wall, situated about 90 minutes from Beijing. I knew there would be a lot of climbing (there was) and… Read more: A Day at the Great Wall (Mutianyu Edition)
- Beijing Site Seeing on a Time CrunchMembers of the Population and Place Research Lab recently traveled to Beijing, China, to take part in the “Training Seminar on Future Earth – Health and Environmental Changes” at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR). The workshop was an amazing 4 days, but that’s not all… Read more: Beijing Site Seeing on a Time Crunch
- Reaching New Heights: My Seminar Experience in BeijingIn my opinion, there are three essential components that make an international conference successful: presenting, making professional and personal connections, and exploring the city. Another bonus component is informal local experiences. I have had the pleasure of attending several conferences since I began my graduate studies. However, no conference trip managed to achieve the perfect… Read more: Reaching New Heights: My Seminar Experience in Beijing
- Finding My Place in KingstonI’ve been in Kingston for just over a month now, and like many newcomers, I’ve been walking a lot! I am trying to understand this city through its streets, its rhythms, and the small gestures that bring people together. On September 13, Princess Street closed to traffic for a community market. The road filled with… Read more: Finding My Place in Kingston
- Musings on Moving as a Graduate Student in Geography and PlanningThere is something perfectly fitting about planning and executing an unexpected international move as a doctoral candidate in the Geography and Planning Department. As a married grad student with children, every day feels like a dance: striving to find harmony and rhythm across individual family members’ interests and movements, including moments of focus for my… Read more: Musings on Moving as a Graduate Student in Geography and Planning
- The Social Architecture of Play: Intergenerational Insights from BrazilJennifer Rodriguez: In April 2025, I had the opportunity to conduct field research in Sao Paulo, Brazil, alongside the Aging Playfully team, Liat and Janine. Two of the three researchers, including myself, did not speak Portuguese. This language barrier proved to be an asset in some ways, as it allowed us to observe play activities… Read more: The Social Architecture of Play: Intergenerational Insights from Brazil
- How I Ended Up Here / What I’ve Been Up ToHello! My name is Sophia and I’m an undergraduate student majoring in Geography from the University of Missouri – Columbia (Mizzou for short) and, as of about 6 weeks ago now, I’ve been an International Undergraduate Research Fellow here at the Population and Place Research Lab. In this post I’ll explain how I ended up… Read more: How I Ended Up Here / What I’ve Been Up To
- Archival Research – A PrimerChoosing from a variety of available research tools is an important step in the research process. In the methodology section of my research proposal, I designated archival research as a necessary first stage because it would be crucial to provide historical context for my research topic (the role of the university in the north). This… Read more: Archival Research – A Primer
- Celebrating France-Canada ResearchWhen I get asked about my favourite part of academia, my answer is always, unsurprisingly, the international opportunities I’ve had since starting my graduate studies. Having the chance to study in Paris has been life-changing. Beyond the incredible pastries and the beautiful architecture, venturing abroad (and to conferences in the United States) has allowed me… Read more: Celebrating France-Canada Research
- When the Student Becomes the Teacher: My Experience as a Teaching FellowAfter taking university courses for seven years, I’d like to think I’ve witnessed a fair number of teaching styles. I’ve taken courses with profs who lectured for three hours without PowerPoint slides, with profs who relied solely on a binder of notes they prepared for us, and with profs that would randomly call on students… Read more: When the Student Becomes the Teacher: My Experience as a Teaching Fellow
- Attending the AAG Conference in Detroit: A Week of ‘Firsts’This past week, I had the pleasure of attending the American Association of Geographers Conference in Detroit, MI – and what an amazing week it was! As someone who is on her 8th year of academic studies, I have become quite accustomed to the monotonous day-to-day routine of reading, writing, attending lectures, and getting my… Read more: Attending the AAG Conference in Detroit: A Week of ‘Firsts’
- Putting People First: Recruitment Tips for Future ResearchersRelationship building is one of the most valuable aspects of the research process. During my visit to an older adult community centre in São Paulo in April 2024, supported by Dr. Maxwell Hartt and PhD candidate Janine Dodge, I witnessed first-hand the importance of building connections and rapport. Engaging in casual conversation played a key… Read more: Putting People First: Recruitment Tips for Future Researchers
- Exploring India: A Transformative Experience in the Queen’s School of Urban and Regional PlanningHello everyone, My name is Spencer Mulvaney, and I’m a second-year Master’s student in the School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) at Queen’s University. Today, I want to share a bit about my academic and personal journey during my second year at SURP, particularly my unforgettable experience traveling to India as part of the… Read more: Exploring India: A Transformative Experience in the Queen’s School of Urban and Regional Planning
- The Trickiness of Managing a PhD While Working Full-time: Some ReflectionsWhen it was first suggested that I write a blog on this topic (a new experience for me), I couldn’t help but reflect on why I’ve returned to studies multiple times. A love of learning, for sure, but why pursue the path of a PhD degree? Do I really need to commit a minimum 5… Read more: The Trickiness of Managing a PhD While Working Full-time: Some Reflections
- Work Smart, Not Hard – A Time-Pressed Student and Professional’s Guide to TranscribingBefore coming to Pop Place, I knew qualitative research was the peanut butter to my planning jelly. However, I also knew that qualitative research involved, for the most part, one of my most dreaded tasks – transcription. Before my Master’s, I had the opportunity to work under a health promotion lab at Queen’s as part… Read more: Work Smart, Not Hard – A Time-Pressed Student and Professional’s Guide to Transcribing
- Oh Say Can You See(attle)One of my highlights of grad school so far has been the opportunity to attend conferences. Attending sessions related to my research and networking with scholars across the globe has been incredibly beneficial to my studies. However, international conferences have one other major benefit: they’re great excuses to travel to new destinations. This year, the… Read more: Oh Say Can You See(attle)
- Planners in The HammerAdaptation, Transformation – Jennifer This year, the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) conference took place in the city of Hamilton (nicknamed “The Hammer” due to its industrial past) from September 25-27th. For me, attending the event in Hamilton gave me a sense of familiarity, since this city is very close to the Waterloo region, where… Read more: Planners in The Hammer
- A Taste of the Big AppleRachel Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of one day visiting New York City. I’m sure it’s a dream shared by many small-town kids – looking up at ginormous skyscrapers, seeing all the yellow cabs, and hearing the bustle of people heading to work or enjoying the city. This dream of mine became… Read more: A Taste of the Big Apple
- Soaking up São Paulo: Fieldwork in BrazilApril 8, 2024 – Day One Greetings from Brazil! What a crazy sentence that I had no idea I would ever say in my life. It is truly so cool to be here getting the opportunity to see the country through the lens of research. We arrived yesterday, giving us a bit of time to… Read more: Soaking up São Paulo: Fieldwork in Brazil
- Road Trip to RochesterDay 1 – March 20, 2024 (Marley) Today we head to the BIG CITY… Rochester, NY for The Association of the Study of Play (TASP) annual conference. As researchers of the Pop lab’s Aging Playfully team, we were very excited to dive headfirst into the world of play and see where our research can grow.… Read more: Road Trip to Rochester
- Victoria Takes Moncton!Tuesday Today, I embarked on my first research trip. I was headed to Moncton, New Brunswick to conduct interviews with planning practitioners and immigrant settlement organizations as part of my Master’s research. This was my first time visiting New Brunswick as well as my first time flying by myself (both very exciting!). Ever since I… Read more: Victoria Takes Moncton!
- The Windy City’s NeighbourAs I depart YYZ for ORD for the ACSP 2023 conference (ACA [academics love acronyms!]), I can’t help but be excited. I am going to Chicago to present a poster, learn about planning, and explore an interesting city! Conferences are a very cool way to expand your horizons and what better place to do it… Read more: The Windy City’s Neighbour
- Grant Applications – Tips & TricksIn November 2022, I embarked on the journey of applying for my first research major research scholarship. While I had previously applied for scholarships during my undergraduate degree, this was my first time applying for something that was research-based. After attending the School of Urban and Regional Planning’s research grant information session in October, I… Read more: Grant Applications – Tips & Tricks
- The Journey Within: Embracing Experiences and Growth in CanadaTime flies, and with a sense of gratitude, I reflect upon the fact that I have already spent six months in Canada, immersed in an enriching journey. This period has provided me a brand-new experience, both academically and personally, as I travel through this foreign land, embracing its culture, and engaging with its people. My… Read more: The Journey Within: Embracing Experiences and Growth in Canada
- From Music City to the Métropole francophone des AmériquesThe first half of 2023 has kept me very occupied. From finishing my Master of Planning thesis, to submitting articles, to preparing for my upcoming PhD studies, there hasn’t been a dull moment so far. The most memorable and exciting part of the last few months was presenting the findings of my thesis at multiple… Read more: From Music City to the Métropole francophone des Amériques
- A Turn of the Century…VillageDay 1 When I was two years old, I went on my first airplane: Toronto to Fort Lauderdale. I was visiting my grandparents in their brand-new condo in Century Village East (CVE), an age-restricted community in Deerfield Beach, Florida. With a suitcase filled with pencil crayons, plush toys, and Polly Pockets (the original three P’s),… Read more: A Turn of the Century…Village
- Can OpenAI’s chat bot solve gentrification?On November 30, 2022, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory OpenAI launched the ChatGPT chatbot. ChatGPT is a software application developed to mimic human conversation based on user inputs. ChatGPT is trained using machine learning and can simulate ongoing dialog, respond to follow-up questions, admit mistakes, challenge inaccurate or incorrect statements, and reject… Read more: Can OpenAI’s chat bot solve gentrification?
- How to Crush Your First Poster PresentationThis past November I had the opportunity to present at the poster session at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) Conference in Toronto. When I received the email saying that I was accepted to present, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase our research to planning researchers and professionals from all… Read more: How to Crush Your First Poster Presentation
- Everywhere and Nowhere at the Same Time: A Summary of My Time in Toronto.November is always a difficult month for me. At this point in the fall season the trees have lost most of their colourful leaves, the days are much shorter, and there is usually a pile of work to do as the end of the semester approaches. For all these reasons I was feel unmotivated and… Read more: Everywhere and Nowhere at the Same Time: A Summary of My Time in Toronto.
- Elliot Lake: The City that “Shocked” MeNorthern Ontario is geographically huge. But for those of us who hail from there, much of it is very familiar. Elliot Lake is a small community 4 hours from my hometown of Powassan, but I’ve been hearing about it since I was a child. From the mall collapse in 2012, to stories from family about… Read more: Elliot Lake: The City that “Shocked” Me
- 2GETHERAlthough the byline states Madison Empey-Salisbury, this post is actually a collaboration (the first one on Aging Playfully!) between Madison and Rachel Barber. We are excited to tell you a bit about our experience at the OPPI (Ontario Professional Planners Institute) & OALA (Ontario Association of Landscape Architects) 2GETHER Conference back in September. Before we… Read more: 2GETHER
- London Calling: The OPPI & OALA ConferenceI’m very happy to say that this past week, I attended (and spoke at!) my first in-person in over three years. If you read my previous post on how the AAG Annual Meeting, you will know how much I enjoy conferences. I’m pleased to share that the OPPI (Ontario Professional Planners Institute) & OALA (Ontario… Read more: London Calling: The OPPI & OALA Conference
- The Air Tastes Better HereAugust 14, 2022: 6:00am. That is the time I see when I check my clock. As someone who does not consider themselves a morning person, 6:00am is not exactly my favourite time of day. But today is different – it is travel day (kind of). My flight actually leaves tomorrow at 6:30am but between the… Read more: The Air Tastes Better Here
- Reaching for the Clouds – CIP Conference in Whistler, BCUnable to travel to far destinations since 2020, I was starting to get the itch for adventure. Working remotely as a research assistant for the summer, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to see friends, family, and perhaps even visit communities I had never been to before. So when I found out that… Read more: Reaching for the Clouds – CIP Conference in Whistler, BC
- On the Road Again (Fieldwork)Like many of you, I have not done much traveling in the past two years. I settled into the “new normal” of cancelled plans and future travel credits. The four-and-a-half-hour road trip between Ottawa and Toronto was the most action my suitcase had seen in months. After my trip to New York City to speak… Read more: On the Road Again (Fieldwork)
- Planning is PeopleHello, my name is Madison Empey-Salisbury, and I am one of the members of the Aging Playfully research team. I am currently working towards my Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Queen’s University, with a concentration in health and social planning. Before coming to Queen’s, I completed my Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Honours… Read more: Planning is People
- AAG or Bust!I love conferences. From the tote bags filled with sponsor “swag”, the excited chatter that often fills a hotel meeting space, the winding line-ups for the buffet, and the opportunity to speak and learn from other professionals in your field. Over the past seven years, I have been privileged to be a part of many… Read more: AAG or Bust!
