Susanna Cassisa (she/her), is originally from Oxford, Mississippi, she earned her B.A. in International Studies and German from the University of Mississippi in 2021. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in German Studies at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests include modern queer history in Germany and the United States and the ways that narrative tropes—especially narratives of violence and crime—inform our understanding of the world around us. Susanna is committed to producing accessible public scholarship, and her work has been featured on multiple platforms, including the Washington Post. After completing her M.A., she plans to pursue a career in journalism.
Q: What is the title of your research project?
A: My research project is a podcast mini-series entitled Groomer Rumor, which explores the history and function of the ongoing moral panic that labels LGBTQ+ people as child predators, or “groomers.”
Q: What was the main focus of your research project during your time as fellow in the Centre?
A: During my fellowship, I completed interviews with historians and an expert in early childhood education that will be featured on the podcast. I also completed the script-writing process and submitted a completed draft of the script to my thesis committee.
Q: What drew you to this research project?
A: Back in 2021, I started to see a disturbing increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric online—particularly the sort that demonized the community by painting them as a threat to children. I got curious about this history of this sort of sentiment, started doing some reading, and it quickly became clear that it was a topic that lent itself really well to a transnational analysis. I focused particularly on Germany and the United States to understand where these baseless accusations of child “grooming” came from, how they have evolved throughout the last hundred years, and why they have proved so effective at mobilizing hate movements.
Q: How did the UBC Centre of European Studies support your research project?
A: This fellowship was a valuable source of support as I worked to complete the final stages of the podcast. In addition to funding, which permitted me to purchase recording equipment and software, the Centre also provided a warm and welcoming academic community.
Q: What are your plans after the fellowship and after your time at UBC?
A: After completing my program this summer, I will be moving to Omaha, Nebraska, where I’ll be finalizing the podcast for publication and continuing to do some freelance writing as I pursue a career in journalism.
Susanna was a 2024 CES Graduate Research Fellow. This interview was conducted by CES Project Assistant Braden Russell.