Pathfinder Career Narratives is an ongoing series tracking the career choices and experiences of doctoral graduates. You can see all of the posts in the series here. You can find all the Pathfinder resources and opportunities here. Today’s blog is written by Dr Twisha Singh, who is a lecturer at the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF) at McGill University; she is also a Program Advisor at Branches, McGill’s community outreach program. You can find Dr Singh on LinkedIn.
Name: Twisha Singh
Doctorate subject area and year of completion: History, Gender and Sexuality, 2023
Role and employer: Lecturer & Program Advisor, McGill University
Career Overview and Path
My career has been deeply rooted in a commitment to understanding the intersections of gender, sexuality, and performance within colonial and postcolonial South Asian contexts. I have been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Modern South Asian History and Gender and Sexuality Studies from McGill University in June 2023. My teaching expertise broadly covers gender, sexuality, caste, colonialism, post-colonialism, law, and culture, allowing me to contribute significantly to interdisciplinary studies at institutions like the at the Institute of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies (IGSF) at McGill University and the Department of History at Concordia University.
I began my academic journey with a strong inclination towards history and gender studies, which was solidified through my research on stage actresses in colonial India and Great Britain. My research has continuously explored how marginalized groups negotiate their identities within shifting political and cultural landscapes. The focus of my work has evolved from the historical analysis of 19th-century performers to contemporary issues of gender, class, and caste within South Asian contexts. This trajectory was shaped by my ongoing engagement with feminist and queer theoretical frameworks, making my scholarship inherently interdisciplinary.
Factors Leading to My Current Role
The decision to pursue my current role as a lecturer at the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF) was shaped by my desire to bridge academic research and social justice activism. Throughout my academic career, I have sought opportunities that allowed me to work on gender and sexuality issues within broader socio-political contexts, often integrating interdisciplinary methods. At the IGSF, where my courses are centered around sexuality studies, intersectionality, and marginalized voices, with a specific emphasis on the implications of class and caste. My involvement in the 2S&LGBTQIA+ Youth Mentorship Program at McGill, where I developed workshops and mentorship initiatives, was a turning point that underscored the importance of practical applications of academic knowledge. This role allowed me to expand my focus to include youth mentorship, educational outreach, and program development, which I found immensely fulfilling.
At Concordia University, I currently teach courses in the Department of History that focus on the history and politics of South Asia using innovative pedagogical methods. My course offerings include History of Modern South Asia, where I employ a combination of digital humanities tools, archival research, and ethnographic approaches to examine the major political, social, and cultural transformations in the subcontinent from the colonial period to the present. In the classroom, I encourage students to engage critically with primary sources, oral histories, and digital archives, fostering a nuanced understanding of topics such as anti-colonial resistance, the partition of India, and postcolonial state formation.
Role and Responsibilities
Currently, my role involves a blend of teaching, research, and program development. As a lecturer, I develop and teach courses that intersect gender, sexuality, and history, encouraging students to think critically about these subjects from multiple perspectives. My responsibilities also include curriculum development, coordinating research seminars, and guiding students through complex theoretical frameworks. This role has allowed me to expand my pedagogical strategies, integrating digital tools and community-based learning to make my classes more interactive and inclusive.
A Week in the Life
A typical week in my role involves a dynamic mix of lecturing, research, and administrative work. My interactions span across departments and include collaborations with scholars in gender and sexuality studies, mentoring graduate students, and engaging in research seminars. I am currently working on revising materials from my dissertation for publication, while also preparing new courses for the upcoming term. Additionally, I am involved in outreach activities, such as organizing guest lectures and workshops for students and the wider academic community.
Supporters, Mentors, and Champions
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have mentors who have guided and supported my professional growth. My master’s mentor, Professor Aditya Mukherjee and my doctoral supervisors, Professor Elizabeth Elbourne and Professor Subho Basu, provided invaluable insights and encouragement throughout my research journey. Additionally, colleagues at McGill and other institutions have been instrumental in providing feedback, sharing resources, and offering collaboration opportunities that have enriched my academic experience.
Navigating Challenges and New Learning
One of the key challenges I faced was balancing research and teaching while navigating the complexities of interdisciplinary scholarship. Transitioning between roles—such as shifting from a research-intensive focus to a program advisor role—required me to adapt my approach and expand my transferable skill set. The pandemic brought additional challenges, but it also led to new research opportunities, such as my study on informal migrant workers in New Delhi. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of flexibility in research methodologies.
Opportunities for Leadership and Development
Through my involvement in the 2S&LGBTQIA+ Youth Mentorship Program and Youth in/from Care Program under Inclusive Future’s Project at Branches, McGill University (Future Student’s Unit), I was able to take on leadership roles that involved not only academic guidance but also administrative and strategic planning. I developed workshops, panels mentoring programs and managed outreach efforts, supported youth participants in navigating academic and personal challenges. This experience highlighted the significance of leadership in academia as a tool for advocacy and change.
Advice for Aspiring Academics
For researchers contemplating a similar career path, I would emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary research and community engagement. It is essential to remain open to learning from diverse fields and to seek out opportunities that allow you to apply your research in practical ways. Building a strong network of mentors and collaborators can greatly enhance your academic journey, providing guidance, support, and new perspectives.
Reflection Prompt for Researchers
“Think about a moment in your academic journey when you had to make a critical decision that shaped your career path. How did you navigate the uncertainties of that decision, and what did you learn from the experience?”
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