Jackie McConnell has just completed their Master of Arts in History at Wilfrid Laurier University, with their research focusing on the closure of the Collingwood Shipyard and the detrimental effects of deindustrialization on small and isolated communities on the Great Lakes. That project showed how valuable lake-based industries had been in small-town Ontario. Their work on the local history of Collingwood has inspired them to pursue a PhD in environmental history starting in 2025. This future project will focus on Lake Huron itself, and investigate how the lake has existed alongside Indigenous and Canadian history as a historical actor in its own right.
What field of Canadian history are you most interested in and how has this influenced your research topic?
I am most interested in the history of the Great Lakes and their relationship with the people that live near them. Having grown up on the shores of Georgian Bay, I firmly believe that the Great Lakes have a dominating effect on the lives of everyone in southern Ontario. My major research paper was a way to interact with this field while also learning more about how the lakes drive Ontario’s economy. Moving forward into my PhD, I want to further centre the lakes as historical actors themselves and show how they have always dictated life in what is now called Ontario, from the 1500s to today.
What inspired you to write about your research topic and what contribution do you hope to make to your area of research?
My major research paper was focused on the closure of the shipyard in Collingwood, Ontario. My parents and grandparents are from Collingwood, so I had a familial connection to the town, but my curiosity about the Great Lakes and its shipping industry led me to the shipyard itself and its closure in 1986. In my pursuit of that project, I conducted interviews with former workers who were employed at the site and other prominent community members. My goal was to make a new contribution to the historiography of deindustrialization in Canada, but also to create a valuable new chapter in the town’s local history using voices from the community itself.
What part of your argument changed most during the writing process, and how has this impacted how you think about the final project?
Originally, I was aiming to look at the impact of the closure and the relationship between deindustrialization and individual job loss and its emotional effects. As I began my research, however, I soon found that there were no histories of the closure itself. Without any foundational context of how the shipyard closed, there was no way I could confidently make conclusions about its impacts. To rectify this, I decided I would include a chapter about the closure timeline in my paper. This new chapter eventually took up a significant portion of my final product and let me argue new points that wouldn’t have been possible with the post-closure sources alone.
What research and writing tips do you find have helped you the most during your studies?
Set a schedule. As I worked through my Master of Arts, I did my best to work a consistent schedule of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM when I could. Unless it was absolutely necessary to meet a deadline, I did no schoolwork or marking in the evenings and let myself have that time to decompress. The biggest hurdle was overcoming the sense of guilt from not working, but once I was in a routine, I found that I was able to keep on top of my work and that there were fewer pressing deadlines to feel anxious about.
What activities or hobbies have best helped you destress after a long day of writing?
I love to listen to music. When I get home, I often put on a record while I cook dinner or read. Sometimes in the evening, I play my guitar, which has a similar de-stressing effect. Most evenings end with some TV show or a movie. I spend less time seeking out stress relief and more time just doing things that are separate from my work. Setting a boundary between work and home creates a less stressful environment at home by default. Then almost any activity at home is a chance to escape the work mindset.
What advice do you have for others who are also working on history research?
Get invested in the research and writing process as a learning and teaching experience. When you are doing new research and pursuing a historiographical gap, take note of the fact that, while previous academics may have worked with the same subjects and materials, you are becoming an expert in your subject and your approach. Holding on to this sense of expertise when writing also lets you frame it as a teaching opportunity. As you engage deeply with your subject matter, you are not just uncovering new information, but cultivating a specialized understanding that sets you apart in the field. Once you get to writing, you can present this perspective as a way to teach others the new knowledge you have learned and developed.