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Crossings

Dr. Jane Barter is an Associate Professor in the Religion and Culture department at the University of Winnipeg.  Her involvement in the creation of the multidisciplinary journal Crossings is suggestive of her wide-ranging scholarship and teaching: from the Christian origins of secularism, to the concept of the neoliberal disciplinary state, and most recently to an examination of Indigenous issues in Canada, especially relating to the recent discourse surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and the residential school system. Dr. Barter answered several questions regarding Crossings and how undergraduate and graduate students alike can get involved.

Crossing cover image by Rachel BergQ: What is Crossings?

A: Crossings is a University of Winnipeg interdisciplinary journal in the Humanities and Social Sciences that was created in order to encourage students to write from a variety of disciplinary perspectives in the Arts and the Humanities.

Q: What was the inspiration for starting this journal?

A: Initially it was because the department of Religion and Culture had a very successful colloquium called ‘Lightning Talks’ and I was really impressed by the level of undergraduate research.  We thought it would be great to have a permanent record of this research, not just for Religion and Culture students, but for all students in the Faculty of Arts.  It was really the idea to support undergraduate research and I think all of my colleagues who came around the table and wanted to be on the editorial team had a similar vision in mind to support our excellent students, so that the term papers they do have a life beyond the classroom.

Q: You mentioned the Religion and Culture’s department’s involvement in Crossings; what other departments have come on board?

A: Steven Kohm (Criminal Justice), Jaqueline McLeod Rogers (Rhetoric, Writing and Communications), Heather Snell (English), Adina Balint (Modern Languages and Literatures), Danielle Gaucher (Psychology), Matt Dyce (Geography) and librarian Michael Hohner have all agreed to join the editorial board for Crossings.

Q: This journal features a lot of undergraduate participation; does it conform to the standards of a typical academic journal?

A: We’re certainly conforming to the standards of a typical academic journal, it’s gone through a process of peer review; it’s been examined by other readers than the editorial board.  It definitely has the look and feel of an academic journal.

Q: Is there a precedent for undergraduate participation in academic journals, or is this a new initiative?

A: It’s a new initiative at the University of Winnipeg, but other universities have done this type of thing before. Graduate students of course are welcome to contribute as well. 

Q: What are the practical steps to take for Religion and Culture students, as well as students from other disciplines, to participate in Crossings?

A: They’re welcome to contact me if they have a paper to submit, or if they have any further questions about the journal (j.barter@uwinnipeg.ca). 

*Interview conducted and recorded by Jonas Brandt, Religion and Culture undergraduate student. An additional article about Crossings can be found here: http://news-centre.uwinnipeg.ca/all-posts/crossings-an-academic-student-journal/