Modern Literature & Culture Research Centre & Gallery

Nasrin Islam

An MA student in Ryerson University’s Literatures of Modernity program (2017-2018), Nasrin Islam holds an MA (2003) and BA (2001) in English from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh. Her scholarly interest lies in the literatures of the Romantic, Victorian and Modernist eras with a focus on environmentalism, feminism, post-colonialism, and existentialism. As a research assistant at the MLC, Nasrin is excited to hone her skills in scholarly transcription, editing, and research; specifically, she is involved in the Centre’s study of Great War literature and culture. View Nasrin's full bio

Scott Sparrow

An MA student in the University of Toronto’s English program (2016-2018), Scott Sparrow holds a BA in English with a minor in History (2015) from the University of the Fraser Valley. His main academic interest is in prose Modernism, with a specific focus on the works of James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. In particular, his research reconsiders the secularization thesis traditionally applied to the Modernist era through these writers. Scott is thrilled about his involvement at the MLC where he engages with the Centre’s research on Great War literature and culture. His goal is to round out his knowledge of what he believes to be one of the most fascinating artistic eras of literary and visual culture: Modernism. View Scott's full bio

Jhenelle Grey

A BA student in the Psychology program at Ryerson University (2014‐2018), Jhenelle Grey focusses on psychological approaches to researching geriatric care. With her research interests in aging and creativity, Canadian‐inspired art, and World War I history, she is also dedicated to the digital preservation of visual art and culture. At the MLC Research Centre, she is excited to be involved in the discussion of mental health and its ties to the veterans of World War I. View Jhenelle's full bio

Jessica Young

An MA student in the Literatures of Modernity program at Ryerson University (2017-2018), Jessica Young has been combining her love of literature and public history since completing her BA (Honours) in History and English Language and Literature at Queen’s University (2012-2016). She has worked as a writer for Sullivan Entertainment and she is a member of the L.M. Montgomery Heritage Society of Norval, working towards transforming L.M. Montgomery’s Norval home into a Museum and Literary Arts Centre. Jessica’s Major Research Project, supervised by Dr. Irene Gammel, combines her passion for public history and her knowledge of literary theory, expanding on L.M. Montgomery scholarship using contemporary case studies. Jessica is excited to join the MLC team and contribute to their diverse and interdisciplinary research, involving herself in the Centre’s study of Great War literature and culture. View Jessica's full bio

Recent News

Gaurangi Batish joins MLC

Gaurangi Batish joins MLC

Gaurangi aspires to articulate the centre’s core values and vision through her contributions to the centre’s social media platforms.

Caitlin O’Keeffe joins MLC

Caitlin O’Keeffe joins MLC

At the MLC, Caitlin is excited to explore modernist women artists, the modernism archive and collection of modernist ephemera.

Cigdem Asatekin MacInnis joins MLC

Cigdem Asatekin MacInnis joins MLC

Cigdem joins the MLC and will be involved in research administration, exhibitions and events.

Amina Chaudhry joins MLC

Amina Chaudhry joins MLC

Amina assists Dr. Irene Gammel with her course ENG 710 Special Topics in Canadian Literature: Contemporary Life Writing.

The Great War in Literature and Visual Culture

MLC Themes

The Great War in Literature and Visual Culture

Amid the unprecedented social change of World War I, women renegotiated their identities by dramatically changing the way they engaged with the arts. But how did they do so? And how did everyday citizens engage with the war?
Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven

MLC Themes

Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven

Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven, considered by many to be the mother of Dada, was a daringly innovative poet and an early creator of junk sculpture. “The Baroness” was best known for her sexually charged, often controversial performances.
Modernism in the World

MLC Themes

Modernism in the World

Recent research has departed from the Euro-centric and national view of Modernism to include approaches and methods studying Modernism across national boundaries and across different art forms to include fashion, dance, performance, technology, and visual culture.
Lucy Maud Montgomery

MLC Themes

Lucy Maud Montgomery

L.M. Montgomery is perhaps Canada's most important literary export. She was prolific writer of over 500 short stories and poems, and twenty novels, including the beloved Anne of Green Gables.
Canadian Modernism

MLC Themes

Canadian Modernism

The works of numerous Canadian authors who lived during the modernist era may well constitute the most central and experimental articulation of Canadian modernism in prose, allowing authors to stage cross-cultural, controversial, and even conflicted identities.
Modernist Biography and Life Writing

MLC Themes

Modernist Biography and Life Writing

Life writing, including autobiographical accounts, diaries, letters and testimonials written or told by women and men whose political, literary or philosophical purposes are central to their lives, has become a standard tool for communication and the dissemination of information.