Dr. Sharanpal Ruprai

Dr. Sharanpal Ruprai is an internationally recognized writer, UWinnipeg alumna [BEd 00; BA (Hons) 03] and Assistant Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies. She specializes in the experience of Sikh women and marginalized populations.

Ruprai is a published and respected poet. Her debut book of poetry, Seva, was shortlisted for the Stephen G. Stephansson Award for Poetry by the Alberta Literary Awards in 2015. The book, an exploration of a young Sikh girl’s experience growing up in the Canadian Prairies, has been featured as part of the Canadian League of Poet’s National Poetry Month, Winnipeg's Thin Air festival, Wordfest, and on Twitter by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

Currently, Ruprai is working on a collection of essays entitled Who You Calling a Kaur/Princess? By juxtaposing novels, plays, poetry collections, and films, the book will explore issues such as religion, gender violence, and identity, within the specific context of the Canadian South Asian women’s experience.

Ruprai regularly reads her work at public events, and coordinates a speaker series in Calgary and Winnipeg. She has also been featured on CBC Radio as a book columnist, and on the program The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers.