This summer, I had the opportunity to work under the supervision of Dr. Nathalie Cooke, of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s English Department, as a part of the Len Blum Undergraduate Research Award Internship. My role involved writing, editing, in-depth archival research, project management, and digital design, all of which came together to support ongoing research initiatives and the successful launch of Cooke’s recent publication, Tastes and Traditions: A Journey through Menu History. This experience allowed me to contribute to several interconnected projects that bridged academic research with public communication. Not to mention, strengthening my professional, research, and analysis skills.
One of my primary responsibilities was preparing and creating communicative resources, including press releases and book launch materials. I wrote and organized a concise, two-page press release, synthesizing materials drawn from the book itself and reviews into a public-facing summary. Additionally, I developed visuals and interactive materials using Canva, PowerPoint, and Google Slides to support promotional efforts and various presentations. Beyond designing, I also copyedited, scripted and formatted written materials, allowing me to develop skills in adapting complex scholarly content into formats suitable for different readerships and audiences.
Another important component of the internship was the experience I gained in archival research and copyright management. Much of my research took place in McGill’s Rare Books and Special Collections, where I consulted original archival materials for use in both events and future presentations. This involved learning how to view and understand these non-traditional resources to gather substantive content and information where else not possible. My work this summer built directly on Dr. Cooke’s long-standing research into the world of menus, and what they tell us about dining culture and food history. By situating these studies within a Canadian context, particularly in relation to Montreal, I was able to see how the city’s rich history of dining, cabarets, drinking culture, late-night entertainment and even speakeasies connects to broader narratives of social life and cultural history. We also explored how these various establishments string together a web of relations that extend from Montreal and, in a wider context, Canada, to the outside world and globalization. The archival materials I engaged with-ranging from menus, advertisements, performance posters, and most uniquely, bills of fare, underscored how dining and drinking institutions have always been more than just places to consume food. In order to access these resources, Dr. Cooke provided aid in allowing me to become familiar with Canadian copyright law, particularly in relation to permissions for images and texts, and worked through the process of obtaining and documenting the rights to use archival materials. Learning such reinforced the significance of accuracy, diligence and ethical responsibility in academic work. This worked hand in hand with my introduction to the Zotero citation software through this internship, improving my fluency with citation systems and strengthening my ability to maintain consistency and best practices in research.
Throughout this internship, I collaborated closely with Dr. Cooke to ensure that all work aligned with our research goals and the broader objectives of upcoming events. This involved regular communication, feedback and adjustments to meet shifting priorities and timelines. I was responsible for managing my tasks independently, balancing multiple deadlines, and working with outside stakeholders to acquire resources and share those I developed myself. During my time working with Dr. Cooke, I saw in real-time the usage of my work, including in book launch promotional events and discussions that were hosted online and in-person.
Ultimately, this internship was an invaluable learning experience, as the skills I gained are both practical and transferable. Allowing me to apply my academic skills in professional contexts helped me learn how to communicate research in ways that engage both academic and general audiences. I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Nathalie Cooke for her guidance, mentorship and generosity throughout the summer. I am also grateful to Len Blum for making an internship like this possible through funding support and organization. The gratitude goes out to the Canadian Studies faculty at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø as well, for providing a meaningful and enriching opportunity for students apart of this field of study like myself.