Jennifer Komorowski
Philosophy, Psychoanalysis and Passion projects
Jennifer Komorowski has grown a tremendous amount both professionally and personally since starting her M.A. degree eight years ago. Once “very shy and not at all confident to speak in class”, today Jennifer is poised and self-assured as she speaks in classrooms and communities.
“I remember receiving advice from a Theory graduate early on. He said to ‘go to conferences every year as if it were a formula to get a job.’ The idea may seem silly, but I got a lot of experience with public speaking and networking by going to conferences every year, which has been essential in my academic life.”
After completing an undergraduate degree in Sociology and English Literature, Jennifer found herself drawn to the intellectual challenge of studying theory. That ultimately drew her to a Master’s degree in Theory and Criticism. “The best advice I can give to someone thinking about interdisciplinary study is to work on something that you’re passionate about. I was advised to do an English degree and the best decision I made was not take that advice. Interdisciplinary work has probably been more challenging, but it has also opened more opportunities academically than any other route I could have taken.”
Jennifer’s doctoral research in Theory and Criticism combined Lacanian psychoanalysis, Haudenosaunee thought, and Indigenous philosophy to think about what masochism means for Indigenous women. She continues that research by talking to women in her own community, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, about their experiences. She recently developed her own courses on Indigenous Science Fiction, Indigenous Women’s Resilience, and Indigenous Digital Storytelling as part of her "dream job" in a tenure position as Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Toronto Metropolitan University.
As a mother of two, Jennifer continues to find the right balance between family and academic work. “On top of classes, conferences, and studying I had to make sure I was being a good mother. I try to put my kids first and then fit my academic work into my life. Sometimes that meant working on an essay in a hockey arena or staying up until 4am to finish writing. I’m still doing it.
Work is important but so are friends, your kids, your partner, and taking time for yourself that doesn’t revolve around your dissertation. Don’t put your life on hold for academic work.”
Her best advice? “Work on something that you’re passionate about. I could never get tired of thinking about and writing about Indigenous feminism and issues related to this because it is something that I’m deeply invested in both personally and which I find intellectually fascinating.”
