Dr. Anita Girvan

Biography

Anita Girvan is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, specializing in English Cultural Studies. She is a settler of Afro-Caribbean diaspora origins and conducts her research on Syilx Okanagan land. Her work is situated at the intersection of Environmental Humanities, Political Ecology, and Cultural Politics. Girvan's book, "Carbon Footprints Cultural-Ecological Metaphors" (2018, Routledge), explores how metaphors shape our understanding of than-human relations and addresses pertinent socio-ecological issues such as decolonization and climate change. She has published in prominent journals such as the Journal of Canadian Studies, the Journal of Political Ecology, and Feminist Studies, contributing significantly to contemporary discussions on cultural productions and environmental justice. Currently, Girvan is leading SSHRC-funded research projects focusing on cultural material production in Canada and racialized ecologies. Her extensive academic background includes a PhD in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought from the University of Victoria, an MA in Discourse and Language Studies from Carleton University, and a BA in Languages from the same institution. Girvan is actively engaged in professional services and affiliations, including serving on the editorial board of the Digital Futures Series published by University of Toronto Press and participating in various associations that merge literature, environment, and cultural studies.

Research Interests