OH:SS S01E01: A Conversation with Brianne Machan, Third-Year History Student

Hi I’m Madison, [Madison]

I’m Alex, [Alex]

and I’m Emily, [Emily]

and we’re your hosts of Office Hours. [All]

What’s Office Hours, Alex? [Emily]

Good question, Emily. Office Hours is a monthly podcast produced by us, your peer research coaches, and the Huron University Library, where research takes centre stage. [Alex]

Hello and welcome to the first episode of Office Hours Student Spotlight. I’m Madison, your host of today’s episode and joining me in the studio is Brianne Machan. Brianne is doing an honours specialization in History, and alongside all the responsibilities of an honours specialization, is involved with the letterpress studio and is a research assistant for the Multiple Copies project here at Huron. Let me know if I missed anything in my introduction, Brianne. [Madison]

No, that all sounds great. [Brianne]

So, let’s get into how you ended up at Huron. Can you explain how you decided on your major. Did you know what you wanted to study before coming to Huron? [Madison]

Yeah, so something that really called me to Huron was the Leadership with Heart motto. I really was inspired by the idea of wanting to lead in your friend groups and everything with as much integrity as you can. I consider myself to be a really introverted, quiet person, but leadership isn’t always extroverted, and you can be a leader in daily interactions. So, I really wanted to have an environment where I can be around people that have that kind of kindness and wanting to be leaders. I was interested in being a history major because I always loved history, but I never thought that it could be a career. When I started university, I wanted to be a high school history and English teacher, but after doing a placement at my local Lambton County archives I saw that being a historian could be a job, and I was really excited by that opportunity and ever since I’ve been at Huron I’ve just fallen more in love with being a historian everyday. [Brianne]

That’s great. So, the idea for this podcast initially grew out of a conversation at the Center for Undergraduate Research Learning Spring 2023 Conference. We were talking about the difficulty that students face when trying to learn and understand the research and interests of faculty members and also the various potential relationships between faculty research and independent undergraduate research and learning. Can you talk about some of the extracurricular activities that you’ve been involved in and how you got involved in them? Maybe give us some of your thoughts about the benefit of extracurricular research versus research for specific classes? [Madison]

Yes, so, I started my journey with extracurricular research after a high school placement in Lambton County archives. I gained a lot of skills through that experience and then afterwards I was a residence ambassador in first year and got to know my professors better through that experience. I got to chat with Professor Reid-Maroney at a open house event and learned more about the letterpress studio and really fell in love with the space and the idea of students being able to create their own projects and having this chance to work hands-on with history in that way. After chatting with Dr. Reid-Maroney I went to some office hours and was able to learn about how to get involved as a student working there and then I started there in my second term of first year at the letterpress studio. Then after that, I learned about the Multiple Copies project that Dr. Schofield’s doing, and I emailed him to talk about other opportunities and it worked out that they were looking for another research assistant so I joined that project. After that, I started the Defining Moments Canada research assistant position with Dr. Peace. Defining Moments Canada is all about sharing research with people outside of academics, so students from grades seven to twelve. So, I’ve been working on that project, helping to make history more accessible. Each of these opportunities really came from not being afraid to reach out and make opportunities in case they didn’t come my way. Office hours and emailing, and don’t be afraid to advocate when you are excited about something. For the question about the benefits of extracurricular research, I really think that being able to follow your passions and go down those rabbit holes that you find yourself always leaning towards when you’re researching for school papers is really an amazing opportunity and there are so many benefits from being able to lead your research outside of an academic setting and know that your work will be enjoyed by people and not just sent in to get graded which can sometimes feel a little discouraging. But knowing that your work will get used in way. [Brianne]

I think that, that’s great, that’s great advice. So, the letterpress studio. I bet there’s quite a few people that are unaware that we have one. Could you explain what that’s all about, just in general, like how students would be able to get involved in that. What projects have specifically come out of that? [Madison]

Absolutely, yeah, this is one of my favourite topics. The Huron letterpress studio is one of the best places on campus, I’m totally biased in saying that. But I love it so much. We have an Instagram account, just a little shameless plug here, it’s huronletterpress. So, you can feel free to message us on there and we also have a website now so people can fill out a form if they want to come and make a project. So, we do work with open houses, students come in for class tours, so history courses and history of the book come in and can learn more about this space but then we are also totally open to anybody who wants to just make a project. So, we’ve had someone make Thanksgiving invitations, Taylor Swift bookmarks, all kinds of projects. So, we welcome anybody to come in and you get to experience hand setting all the type and using an antique printing press which is really great. [Brianne]

That’s really cool. So, going back to the Multiple Copies project. Would you say the end goal is to find all these copies? I mean, how do you come across them and what kind of research would you say they could help with or facilitate? [Madison]

Yeah, so, there are a lot of copies that we are still trying to get a hold of, and one of the challenges with rare books is knowing that some of them don’t survive for various reasons. So, we’re trying to find as many as we can and write what we can about them knowing who owned them, how the copies changed over time. So, sometimes when people would get a new fancy book like this, they’d want to change the cover and the binding, and they’d write notes in them. We recently found a copy that has a kid’s doodles in the margins. That’s one of my favourite copies right now. So, it’s definitely a challenge to find every copy that we can but being able to track one book like this, or two editions of the same book, and see how they’ve changed over time based on the readership is really exciting because you get to have this unique insight into how books were not only owned and read but how they were used. [Brianne]

That’s pretty cool. So, alongside the whole letterpress studio and Multiple Copies projects, are there any personal projects you could see yourself taking up in the future that you really want to focus on? [Madison]

Yeah, absolutely. I love this question. So, in the last fall CURL conference this year, I did a presentation on a project that I did in a class, the class was called Cities of the Dead. It was about the history of mourning and cemeteries. It was at Western campus, and I did a case study focusing on a pet cemetery in Ortonville, Michigan, and learned a lot about the history of ceremonial animal burials and how these spaces are often undervalued by historians and the ways that historians need to prioritize animal history and human history which is becoming a new field of study that a lot of people are starting to focus on and how to showcase animals throughout human history as well. So, a project that I would really like to focus on is the oldest pet cemetery in Ontario, it’s actually in Aurora, Ontario. It started in the ’30s and closed, I believe around the ’70s. Since a lot of pet cemeteries are family run businesses, this one did sell, and the land fell into a little bit of disrepair. Some of the stones were relocated and things, and the historians are working really hard to get this site back to its original setting. So, this has been a really important project that I feel super passionate about because it provides such a unique insight to animal and human history and how animals have been alongside people for so much time. I always love when I’m in archives seeing photos of people with their pets and things, and sometimes the pets, we don’t really see them in archival documents outside of these photographs and it’s really nice to see how close people and their pets can become over time. [Brianne]

That’s great, I agree. I think it’s good for people to think about stuff in history that might not be studied as much. I think a lot of stuff nowadays is taken for granted, almost. Because we are surrounded by animals and pets, so I feel like a lot of people might not think to do historical research into that specific stuff just because it’s still around us, kind of, today. [Madison]

Yeah, exactly and a lot of people sometimes think, ‘Oh, it’s history, don’t we already know everything there is to know? How much more can you really pick at little details?’ But there’s really so many different things and different angles that you can approach things. I really think that when you find something that you’re passionate about, especially in history, you should absolutely try to find ways to get into that research, and CURL, and all the extracurricular research opportunities at Huron have really helped me get prepared for doing my own research like this. [Brianne]

So, what do you think about the benefits of doing research outside the classroom is, versus for specific classes? Because, I mean, one, for specific classes, it’s kind of pointed. You’re given an assignment, a syllabus, and then do you think the extracurricular research opportunities would maybe help students think about research without having to be guided? [Madison]

Yeah, I think so for sure. Sometimes it can be tricky in school focusing on the grade that you get at the end rather than what you learned. This is something I’m guilty of for sure, is focusing on ‘Oh, I want to get a high mark, I want to make sure I do well.’ But finding things that you are interested in and having sometimes those flexible deadlines, being able to communicate with archives personally. I think those are all experiences that happen inside the classroom, but if they happen outside of the classroom and you are able to guide your research it’s really a valuable experience for sure. [Brianne]

So, you have your classes, the assignments that come with those classes, your involvement with the letterpress studio and the Multiple Copies project. That’s a lot going on, how do you find the time to work on all these various projects? Did it take you a while to get into the groove of balancing it all? [Madison]

So, this is definitely a really good question and something that I am honestly still working on. Everything that I do, all of my jobs, I love them so much they honestly don’t even feel like work. And I find that, while that’s good, I also can easily get really caught up in the work and not want to do much else. So, I think this is something that a lot of people need to work on, including me. So, I’ve been taking advantage of the research supports here at the library, the wellness center at Huron to get some tips and tricks on how to balance better. But I think the biggest thing is making sure that you know yourself and can schedule things. I’ve really been able to figure out how to schedule my time in a way that helps. I also have a job working at a sanctuary farm in Sarnia, Ontario. So, that job is a lot of fun and it really gives me a break from academics. Once or twice a month I get to go and work with farm animals for a weekend, and it really helps me to still feel involved in my community outside of the classroom because I think it’s really important to feel like you’re part of a community outside of school as well. So, just definitely thinking more about how to take care of yourself and your wellbeing while things are busy is super important. [Brianne]

I, I agree. I like the idea of getting a job on a farm or something with farm animals, because then you can kind of just forget about all of the academic stuff because it’s like a pig and a cow, you know? [Madison]

Exactly, it’s just the best. [Brianne]

So, you have experience doing all these research projects. What do you think the best way is for and undergrad student to find projects or faculty mentors for this kind of thing is? [Madison]

Most of the opportunities that I’ve had come from conversations or emailing. So, sometimes it’s okay to make the opportunities come your way too. If something doesn’t come up feel free to go to office hours and chat about your interests. You never know what those discussions will turn into. A lot of the experiences that I’ve had have come from discussions and emails, and even outside of school, my job at the animal farm in Sarnia with the Humane Society started with me volunteering there during Covid. Making sure that everybody was following guidelines etc. So that experience volunteering led to a job working for the Humane Society there, and my letterpress position started with a conversation after volunteering to be a residence ambassador. So, put yourself out there, don’t be afraid to try, and know that you have so much to offer, and I believe in you. [Brianne]

That’s a pretty good message. With all that’s going on, I mean, you have a pretty long list of projects you’ve been involved in, stuff that’s on the go. Do you see yourself continuing this after you graduate? [Madison]

I do, for sure! I love all of the opportunities that I’ve had, and I can’t wait to keep going and I’m excited for my fourth year. But after graduating from undergraduate at Huron, I’m hoping to either do MLIS so that I can work in archives or doing public history. So, still trying to figure that out. I’ve been talking with lots of people who are in the programs now to get ideas for what I’m more interested in following but definitely want to continue with research and having these experiences. [Brianne]

One thing I’ve always heard is that history always needs more archivists. So, I think both, I could see both fitting what you want to do to be honest. [Madison]

That’s so nice, thank you! I can, too. [Brianne]

That’s good. [Madison]

I love archives so much. It’s so much fun having that interaction with the public and seeing the excitement as they are researching and being able to facilitate that is such a special experience and I would love to do that. [Brianne]

Okay, I have some general interest, rapid-fire questions for you. Not much to do with research or anything, but I think they are pretty important. What’s your favourite animal? [Madison]

Okay, this is such a good question. Definitely llamas. I used to work with a llama named Piper at the farm that I work at, and he was just my bestie. He would always wrap his neck around me to hug me when I saw him. So, definitely llamas. [Brianne]

Do you prefer fall or winter reading week? [Madison]

I’d say fall, just because I don’t like the snow very much. [Brianne]

That’s completely understandable. What semester do you like the best? [Madison]

Fall, again. [Brianne]

What’s your favourite pizza topping? [Madison]

Bit controversial but I love green peppers. [Brianne]

What’s your favourite way to relax away from assignments and research projects and school, and all that? [Madison]

I love reading and spending time with friends and family. [Brianne]

I think that’s always a good way to unwind. What’s your favourite soup? [Madison]

Broccoli cheddar. [Brianne]

What’s your favourite movie? [Madison]

It’s between, Singing in the Rain is my favourite musical or the Conjuring 2, I love scary movies. [Brianne]

That is quite the combination. Have you read any interesting books recently? It can be historical or non-historical. [Madison]

An interesting book that I read recently that is one of my new favourites is Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody. [Brianne]

That’s interesting. And, finally, do you have any further words of wisdom or advice to other Huron undergraduate students who might be interested in the idea of research outside the classroom or just getting really into research in general? [Madison]

Absolutely. I think if you are getting really excited about a research topic, definitely take advantage of the opportunities that are here at Huron, like the CURL experiences or the experiential learning trips that classes take. I feel like there’s always an opportunity happening, and although classes are super busy and can sometimes feel overwhelming, I think taking these opportunities when they come your way is so valuable and I find that even though my schedule is packed, all of the things that I’m doing outside of class, my jobs and research, really help to motivate me to do my class work in a way because they remind me of why I’m here and what I want to do with this education. So, definitely take a chance and know that you’ve got this. [Brianne]

I think that’s a very good answer and I think students would definitely benefit from taking the chances that come to them and not passing over them because they are not quite sure if they can do it or qualify for it. I think a very good way to learn how to do something is just to dive headfirst. This has been a great conversation, Brianne. Thank you so much for coming on the podcast, and I hope this inspires more students to seek out independent research opportunities and to get involved outside the classroom. And, once again, thank you for listening to Office Hours. [Madison]