“I have always been extremely curious,” Mendes says. “The social sciences were a natural fit for me.” That curiosity, paired with a lifelong enjoyment of learning about society and culture, ultimately made sociology feel like home. 

Embracing Complexity in the Classroom 

In her teaching, Mendes encourages students to lean into uncertainty and surprise. For her, learning is not about neat answers or predictable outcomes — it’s about discovery. 

“People, life, research — it’s all messy and complicated,” she explains. “But that’s also where the fun and excitement is.” She hopes students leave her classes understanding that the most meaningful learning often comes from what they didn’t expect. 

Whether it’s a required third-year qualitative research methods course that students end up loving, or discovering a passion for a field they never knew existed, Mendes reminds students that surprises are part of the journey. “Enjoy them. Make the most of them. Learn from them.” 

Why People Matter 

Ask Mendes what makes people the most interesting subject of study, and her answer is immediate: their complexity. 

She speaks passionately about moments during interviews when a participant says something unexpected — the kind of comment that makes a researcher pause and rethink everything. “Those are the real gems,” she says. “I’ve changed what or how I was studying something many times because of those moments.” 

For Mendes, research is not static. It’s shaped by real people, real stories, and real experiences — and that’s what makes it powerful. 

Challenging Myths in Sociology 

There are a couple of misconceptions about sociology that Mendes is eager to correct. The first is the idea that research must always be neutral and detached. 

“I do research to make real changes in the world,” she says. “I acknowledge my biases, and I’m clear that my work is meant to bring about change.” 

The second myth is that strong sociology can only be done through numbers and statistics. While she values quantitative methods, Mendes believes stories have a unique power. “Stories are what really move me,” she says — and they remain central to how she understands and studies society. 

Moments That Stay With You 

Some of the most meaningful moments in teaching happen outside the classroom. One that stayed with Mendes occurred just after students returned to campus following the COVID-19 lockdowns. 

A third-year student stopped by her office hours — not with a question, but simply to see what a professor’s office looked like. The moment highlighted how many small, ordinary experiences students had missed during remote learning. 

“It reminded me to appreciate having students back in person,” she reflects. “Because let’s face it — online learning was just not as much fun.” 

The Human Side of Social Science 

 Outside the classroom, Mendes’s story includes a surprising chapter many students don’t expect. She was a five-time city and two-time provincial wrestling champion and was even offered a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Calgary. 

A book that shaped her worldview? The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan — a gift she received for her 21st birthday, specially ordered by her mother when it was no longer in print. “It’s corny,” she admits, “but it’s the book that brought me to feminism.” 

And when she needs a quick mood boost, she turns up You Make My Dreams (Come True) by Hall & Oates — a song that practically demands dancing. 

Social Science, in One Word 

When asked to describe what Social Science means to her in a single word, Mendes doesn’t hesitate: Complexity. 

And it’s that appreciation for complexity — for stories, surprises, and human connection — that defines both her work and her approach to teaching.