Jillian Gould

Jillian Gould is an Associate Professor in the Department of Folklore at Memorial University of Newfoundland, within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She serves as Graduate Officer and Certificate Director for Newfoundland and Labrador Studies. Her academic background includes a B.A. Honours from the University of Toronto, an M.A. from New York University, and a Ph.D. from Memorial University.

Dr. Gould’s research focuses on Jewish expressive culture, foodways, public folklore, ethnography, family folklore, and aging studies. Her work explores how communities preserve cultural identity through ritual, food practices, and institutional living arrangements. Notable projects include studies of Jewish retirement communities in Newfoundland and the WPA fieldwork of Herbert Halpert.

Her publications span food symbolism (e.g., Mandelbroit), institutional cultural practices (Home Cultures), and historical folklore analysis (Folklore Historian). Recent work emphasizes contemporary Jewish identities in St. John’s, NL, and the intersection of memory and material culture.

Though no formal awards are listed, her extensive peer-reviewed contributions highlight her expertise in ethnography and cultural preservation. As a graduate advisor, she oversees research in folklore and Newfoundland studies, contributing to Memorial University’s Folklore and Language Association (MUNFLA) initiatives.