SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship

The Department of Religious Studies congratulates Thomas Seibel, who was awarded a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship. The research focuses on the interplay between gender, poverty, and ritual change in North India during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. This proposed research builds upon Thomas's MA work with Dr. Patricia Dold. For his master’s thesis, he analysed online media presentations of and discourses surrounding emergent goddesses associated with Coronavirus, including their connections with pre-existing traditions of goddesses associated with disease, such as Māriyammaṉ and Śītalā Mātā. Expanding and continuing this research, he intends to explore how the pandemic has shaped ritual change and adaptation in North India, particularly in relation to gender and class dynamics. He has accepted an offer from Concordia University, where he will begin a PhD in Religion in September.

Congratulations, Thomas!