Karmvir Padda
PHD STUDENT, SOCIOLOGY (CO-OP)
The surprising power of asking questions
ARTS
Karmvir Padda
PHD STUDENT, SOCIOLOGY (CO-OP)
The surprising power of asking questions
Until recently, doing a PhD has been synonymous with going the “academic route” after graduation. But doctoral student Karmvir Padda is a perfect example of how that’s all changing.
The Sociology and Legal Studies student is pursuing the doctoral co-op option at Waterloo — a unique work-integrated learning (WIL) program that integrates two paid co-op terms into the PhD.
The doctoral co-op prepares students for a variety of career possibilities after graduation, and it’s something Karmvir didn’t see many other universities offering when she was exploring where to study.
“I’m the kind of person who is very hungry for opportunities,” she says. “I want to learn as much as I can, so the co-op option at Waterloo was a perfect fit.”
Research meets real-world experience
Her co-op terms won’t begin until after she completes two comprehensive exams. In the meantime, Karmvir is working as a teaching assistant and exploring her research interests in radicalization, cybersecurity, online foreign interference and the abuse of social media for propagating misinformation and disinformation.
Along with getting the opportunity to dive deeper into her research interests and questions, studying at Waterloo has given Karmvir the flexibility to explore real-world challenges while working toward her PhD. Continuing from her master’s work at Simon Fraser University, she’s the lead researcher on a project funded by the Department of National Defence that investigates ways to combat disinformation on social media sites. Working in partnership with Mercur IT Solutions Inc, the goal of the project is to develop software that can prevent the spread of false information.
She also works with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Canada where she helps facilitate dialogue with communities on the frontlines of the drug overdose crisis, while assisting with report writing and policy analysis.
Through these experiences, she’s honing valuable research skills and making connections in the field while she works on defining her dissertation research questions.
“My main goal with my PhD research is to develop insights into how foreign actors and right-wing extremist (RWE) groups use the internet to recruit, organize and spread hate messages,” Karmvir says.
As part of that work, she hopes to create a toolkit that can be used to support the development of software solutions, such as an artificial intelligence tool that helps social media platforms and government agencies identify RWE content in near-real-time.
Forging an unconventional path
Born in Mehmuwal Yusaf Pur, a small village in Punjab, India, Karmvir immigrated to Canada with her family when she was 15. As a first-generation university graduate, her journey — which includes a Police Foundations Diploma and BSc from Humber College, an MA in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and now doctoral studies at Waterloo — has strayed from the conventional path taken by women in her family.
As a result, she’s had to fight cultural expectations around gender roles but says her parents’ support has given her the strength to stay true to herself.
“My parents have been the pillar of my strength and resiliency. Coming from India, my dad was a liberal thinker who never differentiated between girls and boys,” Karmvir says. “Before this, my mom didn't know what a master’s or PhD was. But now she always tells me, ‘You can do it. I know you can do it.’ Having that support has always motivated me to do more.”
After her dad passed away in 2016, Karmvir felt even more determined to pursue higher education as a way to honour his legacy. But the path hasn’t always been easy.
“When I started my postsecondary education, I was so scared to even talk in front of people. I was afraid that people would judge my Punjabi accent or my English. However, grad school has given me so many opportunities to learn to speak with confidence and to stand up for myself.”
Being part of a diverse graduate student community at Waterloo has given her a sense of belonging, while resources from both the Writing and Communication Centre and Library have supported her success in both coursework and research. Despite many responsibilities and tasks, she still actively looks for opportunities to grow and acquire new skill sets.
She’s currently enrolled in the Fundamentals of University Teaching Program offered by the Centre for Teaching Excellence, as well as the Student Leadership Program through the Student Success Office. Recently, she completed the Speak Like a Scholar program with the Writing and Communication Centre, along with TA training through the Centre for Extended Learning. She says pursuing these opportunities at Waterloo has helped her become a better writer, speaker and researcher.
The power of talking to people
Given the many opportunities she’s gained in just one year of doctoral studies, what’s Karmvir’s secret? She says it’s all about following your curiosity and having the courage to ask questions.
“Talking to people has made me aware of many opportunities I didn’t even know existed, such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) scholarship. I thought I would just apply even though I wouldn’t get it.”
She not only won the scholarship but was awarded the highest tier — the Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship.
It’s the same approach she used to contact her current supervisor, Professor John McLevey, who wasn’t accepting grad students at the time. She figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask and, much to her surprise, he said yes.
If there’s anything she hopes first-time graduate students take away from her story, it’s feeling empowered to reach out to professors, students and others who can help.
“I think that curiosity and willingness really pay off.”
Research meets real-world experience
Her co-op terms won’t begin until after she completes two comprehensive exams. In the meantime, Karmvir is working as a teaching assistant and exploring her research interests in radicalization, cybersecurity, online foreign interference and the abuse of social media for propagating misinformation and disinformation.
Along with getting the opportunity to dive deeper into her research interests and questions, studying at Waterloo has given Karmvir the flexibility to explore real-world challenges while working toward her PhD. Continuing from her master’s work at Simon Fraser University, she’s the lead researcher on a project funded by the Department of National Defence that investigates ways to combat disinformation on social media sites. Working in partnership with Mercur IT Solutions Inc, the goal of the project is to develop software that can prevent the spread of false information.
She also works with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Canada where she helps facilitate dialogue with communities on the frontlines of the drug overdose crisis, while assisting with report writing and policy analysis.
Through these experiences, she’s honing valuable research skills and making connections in the field while she works on defining her dissertation research questions.
“My main goal with my PhD research is to develop insights into how foreign actors and right-wing extremist (RWE) groups use the internet to recruit, organize and spread hate messages,” Karmvir says.
As part of that work, she hopes to create a toolkit that can be used to support the development of software solutions, such as an artificial intelligence tool that helps social media platforms and government agencies identify RWE content in near-real-time.
Forging an unconventional path
Born in Mehmuwal Yusaf Pur, a small village in Punjab, India, Karmvir immigrated to Canada with her family when she was 15. As a first-generation university graduate, her journey — which includes a Police Foundations Diploma and BSc from Humber College, an MA in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and now doctoral studies at Waterloo — has strayed from the conventional path taken by women in her family.
As a result, she’s had to fight cultural expectations around gender roles but says her parents’ support has given her the strength to stay true to herself.
“My parents have been the pillar of my strength and resiliency. Coming from India, my dad was a liberal thinker who never differentiated between girls and boys,” Karmvir says. “Before this, my mom didn't know what a master’s or PhD was. But now she always tells me, ‘You can do it. I know you can do it.’ Having that support has always motivated me to do more.”
After her dad passed away in 2016, Karmvir felt even more determined to pursue higher education as a way to honour his legacy. But the path hasn’t always been easy.
“When I started my postsecondary education, I was so scared to even talk in front of people. I was afraid that people would judge my Punjabi accent or my English. However, grad school has given me so many opportunities to learn to speak with confidence and to stand up for myself.”
Being part of a diverse graduate student community at Waterloo has given her a sense of belonging, while resources from both the Writing and Communication Centre and Library have supported her success in both coursework and research. Despite many responsibilities and tasks, she still actively looks for opportunities to grow and acquire new skill sets.
She’s currently enrolled in the Fundamentals of University Teaching Program offered by the Centre for Teaching Excellence, as well as the Student Leadership Program through the Student Success Office. Recently, she completed the Speak Like a Scholar program with the Writing and Communication Centre, along with TA training through the Centre for Extended Learning. She says pursuing these opportunities at Waterloo has helped her become a better writer, speaker and researcher.
The power of talking to people
Given the many opportunities she’s gained in just one year of doctoral studies, what’s Karmvir’s secret? She says it’s all about following your curiosity and having the courage to ask questions.
“Talking to people has made me aware of many opportunities I didn’t even know existed, such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) scholarship. I thought I would just apply even though I wouldn’t get it.”
She not only won the scholarship but was awarded the highest tier — the Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Doctoral Scholarship.
It’s the same approach she used to contact her current supervisor, Professor John McLevey, who wasn’t accepting grad students at the time. She figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask and, much to her surprise, he said yes.
If there’s anything she hopes first-time graduate students take away from her story, it’s feeling empowered to reach out to professors, students and others who can help.
“I think that curiosity and willingness really pay off.”