Graduate Profile: Alyssa M. J. Gillespie
GRADUATE STUDENT PROFILE
Alyssa M. J. Gillespie
MASTER OF ARTS IN ISLAND STUDIES | THESIS
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THESIS DETAILS
Roots, Routes, and Rural Youth Retention on Prince Edward Island
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Youth
- Education
- Children’s Literature
- L.M. Montgomery
- Culture
- Prince Edward Island
CONNECT WITH ALYSSA
BIOGRAPHY
Alyssa M. J. Gillespie is a born and raised P.E.Islander with an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and English from the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). As a Master of Arts in Island Studies thesis student, she is applying her degree to the study of rural youth on Prince Edward Island and their migratory habits.
Alyssa’s scholarly pursuits are anchored in her passion for child and youth studies, culture, and relation to place, and she has a particular interest in creative writing, specifically poetry. She has worked with the L.M. Montgomery Institute, housed in the Robertson Library of UPEI, since the fall of 2019 as an editorial assistant for the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies.
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
- 2021: 3rd Place for the Richard Lemm and Lee Ellen Pottie Poetry Award, Island Literary Awards.
- 2020: Regis & Joan Duffy Future Prosperity Award. (More details here)
- 2016–2019: Dean’s List, University of Prince Edward Island Faculty of Arts.
PUBLICATIONS
Gillespie, A. (2021, May 13). L.M. Montgomery Literary Tour Plaque. L.M. Montgomery Institute. https://lmmontgomery.ca/lm-montgomery-literary-tour-plaque
Gillespie, A. (2021). Minute memories. In E. Browning, E. Campanaro, K. Bartlett, M. Stewart, J. Kelesi, & R. Henbest (Eds.), Tinge: Arts review volume XI. University of Prince Edward Island Arts Review. https://pressbooks.library.upei.ca/artsreview-ix/chapter/minute-memories/
Gillespie, A. (2020, August 7). L.M. Montgomery postcards donated to Kindred Spaces. L.M. Montgomery Institute. https://lmmontgomery.ca/lm-montgomery-postcards-donated-kindredspaces
PODCAST APPEARANCES
The MaudCast: The Podcast of the L.M. Montgomery Institute S01E07 (December 2020): “A Very Merry Maudcast” – with Kristy McKinney, Kate Scarth, Alyssa Gillespie, and host Brenton Dickieson.
CONFERENCES
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
- Annual Atlantic English Undergraduate Conference
March 1–2, 2019 | St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB- Presentation: “Emily Byrd Starr: The Anti-Anne Shirley”
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
TBA
OTHER RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
- A Walk on the Edge: “Contemplations on the Cove” | IST6140 Assignment (2021).
- Meet the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies new student assistant: Alyssa Gillespie. Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies (2019).