Michelle Bissonnette

Lakefield, Ontario
M.A. Anthropology

A self-described “outdoors-loving, poetry-writing, down-to-earth Canadian girl,” Michelle Bissonnette was born in Lehr, Germany, to a Canadian Air Force pilot. Part of a military family, Michelle moved around a lot before settling in at Trent University, first for her undergraduate degree, then for her master’s in Anthropology.

“Originally I chose Trent because I heard good things about the University and its anthropology/archaeology program. After visiting the University myself, I was further motivated to choose Trent by the beautiful campus and the welcoming feel of its small and friendly community,” she says.

In 2006, Michelle started her M.A. in the renowned Anthropology graduate program.  “My first inclination was to pursue my graduate degree elsewhere, because I felt it might be beneficial for me to broaden my academic horizons, so to speak, and establish new connections,” she says. “However after giving it much thought, a number of factors convinced me to stay, most importantly were the professors I could work with. I was very impressed with the faculty and their research and I was eager to work with them at the graduate level. Now that I’ve completed my degree, I can certainly say I have no regrets about choosing to stay at Trent.”

During her studies at Trent, Michelle has continued her life of travel. Her master’s degree took her as far as Bulgaria where she spent time conducting research to complete her thesis, A Mortuary Analysis of Status at Apollonia Pontica: Osteological and Archeological Considerations. The study aims to assess social status at the Greek colonial site of Apollonia Pontica through an investigation of funerary remains excavated from the associated Kalfata necropolis, located near modern-day Sozopol, Bulgaria. Her research is part of a larger study currently being conducted by supervisor Dr. Anne Keenlyside on the health and diet of Greek colonial populations on the Black Sea coast.

“Bulgaria was amazing, certainly one of my fondest memories of my time at Trent,” she recalls. “I was able to see the mortuary remains that I was analyzing in context, including graves and some skeletal remains. On a personal note it was a lot of fun. I sampled local cuisine, swam in the Black Sea, did some cliff diving, and I got to know my supervisor as a friend, and not just a professor.”

Described by one professor as “without a doubt, one of the most exceptional students ever encountered in my years of teaching,” Michelle is grateful for the experiences she has gained at Trent.

“I have grown so much during the course of my time at Trent,” she says. “I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, personally and academically. I’ve made many lifelong friends and have been inspired by many wonderful professors. These connections are my favourite part of my time at Trent. I will take greater self-confidence, pride for my accomplishments and many amazing memories with me now that my time at Trent has come to an end.”