Meet Karen McGarry, the new Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Dr. Karen McGarry, associate professor in the department of Anthropology, began her new term as Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, on July 1st.

We caught up with Karen to talk about what led her to this role, what she’s excited about the most, and what she does outside of work.

Tell us about your academic and professional journey so far.

I took an archaeological field school in high school and decided immediately that I wanted to be an archaeologist. I then completed my BA and MA in archaeology and art, then switched to cultural anthropology for a PhD. Much of my research has focused on the anthropology of elite sport, especially figure skating. I’m interested in the intersections between national identity and the performance of particular identities of race, gender and class on ice. I have also completed research on scuba diving tourism and critical pedagogy. I have been working at McMaster since 2013 as a teaching stream professor, and I have served as Undergraduate Chair of Anthropology for the past three years.

What excites you most about this position?

I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with a diverse array of faculty, staff and students to develop new courses and programs that will meet the changing needs of students and help prepare them for their future roles and jobs.

What do you see as the major challenges in your term, and how will you tackle them?

I anticipate dealing with a number of challenges during my term. One will be dealing with the lingering effects of Covid on undergraduate education, ranging from the loss of a traditional sense of community to the introduction of virtual and online learning. Others include overseeing the development and implementation of new undergraduate programs (eg. minors, majors, certificates), as well as the creation and expansion of experiential opportunities for students, such as in-course placements, co-op programs and internships.

Outside of academia, what do you like to do?

I love swimming, travelling, visiting chocolate shops, and spending time with any and all animals, including my parrot, two cats, and Stinky the tame skunk who lives under my porch!