End of Summer Update: Because It's Been a Minute

WOW! Is it almost the middle of September already? I can’t believe how quickly the summer went by.

Before diving into some substantial content - I’ve been quiet for a while because I’ve been working on some big projects - I thought I’d take the time to give a bit of an update on what’s new and exciting.

Academics

Over the summer, I’ve been working on a couple of new - and old - academic projects. I finished up two new research projects:

(1) Beyond Contagion: Using Popular Culture To Dispel Fear And Misinformation In A Time Of Crisis, which compares events from the film Contagion with what was being reported in North American news media and the messages found with public service announcements from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health to illustrate the potential of popular culture to both create and dispel misinformation surrounding infection and pandemic narratives; and

(2) The Individual, the Institution, and a Bible: A Critical Examination of the Presidential Body, which examines how the presidential body (as an institution) and the president's body (as an individual) have been constructed through the use of photography, publicity and force. In particular, I looked at the content, context, and reception of several iconic presidential photographs, including George W. Bush's "Mission Accomplished" and Donald Trump's "Photo with the Bible.

I’ve also been collaborating with a colleague from Savannah State University on a paper of the representation of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s on-screen racial identity, which we’ll be finishing up this month and submitted a draft introduction and first chapter of my dissertation. Last but not least, I presented at the Humanities Graduate Students Association York University’s Annual Conference, Designing the Self.

I’ll be sharing more about these projects on my website and on the blog over the coming weeks!

Professional

Not surprisingly, a lot has happened on the professional front as well! In May, I took over as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club - this is a huge responsibility but I’m very passionate about the Club and am excited and honoured to have this role. Although I’m still training (see below for more details on that), I’m not competing at the moment in order to focus on completing my PhD this academic year, being a member of the Board allows me to stay connected to a Club that has meant so much to me.

In addition, I’ve continued to act as Co-President of the Communication Graduate Students’ Association and have helped organize and host weekly (virtual) Happy Hours and co-writing/co-working sessions. I’ve also revised our constitution and by-laws and will be putting forward amendments to update our organizational structure and election cycle this fall. We also launched our website in June and have big plans this year to involve graduate students in creating content.

In August, I also took on a freelance writing position with iPoliticsINTEL, reporting on parliamentary committee. I ended up covering just one committee before Parliament was prorogued, which actually worked out! In addition to being able to focus on grading for the summer course that I taught - CMN3182: Policy Studies - my computer also died - it’s working fine now, but trying to get a computer repaired in the middle of a pandemic is no easy task - and it would have been very difficult to cover committees without it.

Personal

On a personal note, I’ve also launched myself back into competitive running - or at least competitive training.

I’m so lucky and fortunate to have a patient and understanding coach - I took some time off from running last year in order to get a handle on some underlying medical issues (if you didn’t know, I was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation (Type 1) about 6 years ago and my symptoms have become more aggravating/aggravated, likely due to other injuries and lifestyle habits like prolonged periods of sitting. I experience numbness pretty much permanently in a couple of fingers on my right hand, which sometimes gets worse and spreads to my feet) - and my coach has been very supportive and encouraging. On top of that, I have an amazing, insightful and motivating personal trainer, a knowledgable and perceptive chiropractor, and a supportive group of athletes that I run with. With all of this working for me, dealing with numbness seems surmountable even though it’s frustrating. In August, after consistent training throughout quarantine and afterwards, I laced up on spikes and hit the track for a mile race at the last Ottawa Lions’ Twilight Meet of the summer. It wasn’t a PB by any means, but it was a great reminder about what is possible when you put your mind to it and keep it at.

August also another round of The Minimalist Challenge. With the help of my very understanding housemate, I cleaned out and donated 7 boxes of clothes, housewares, office supplies and other goodies to the University of Ottawa Free Store. This in addition to the 5 person-sized recycling containers that were filled with paper and the stuff that was just plain old garbage. The apartment is now tidy and clutter-free, and so is my brain.

What’s Up Next

Where. To. Start? September is already rock ‘n roll, and we’re only two weeks in. With that said, here’s a snapshot of some the projects that I have planned for this (academic) year:

Teaching Popular Culture & Communication: I’m so excited to be teaching Popular Culture & Communication in the Fall and Winter semesters this year! We’re already one week and, despite some technical troubleshooting, the students in my class are super engaged. I’m really excited to see what creative, intellectual projects and ideas come out of this virtual environment and alternative assignment formats.
Finishing up my Certificate in University Teaching: This semester, I’m taking the final course in the Teaching & Learning Support Services’ Certificate in University Teaching program. It’s self-directed and OYO time, which works perfectly for my schedule and life.
Getting into my data: With my first chapter tentatively approved - revisions will no doubt be necessary - and my laptop back - I really missed it - I’m looking forward to actually, systematically diving into my dissertation data. Research mode: ON.
Conferences: I’ll be taking part in as well as helping to organize several conferences this year. Each has their own format and focus, but getting to engage with other scholars virtually, and talk about some of the original research that you’ve done is very rewarding and intellectually stimulating.
Wrapping up a couple of papers: One thing I’ve learned over the course of the PhD is that I’m really great at starting academic research projects, but not fantastic at finishing them. I have 4 papers in various states of completion, based on conference presentations that I’ve done over the past year and a bit and I’m going to finish these off and get them out the door. If I can complete one every two months, that would wrap up some loose ends and set me well for a post-PhD position.
Keep volunteering: I’m so passionate about community involvement will be continuing to volunteer my time towards causes that I believe in this year. I’m going to run for re-election in the upcoming CGSA elections and have been collaborating with several fantastic, enthusiastic colleagues on big projects at the University. Stay tuned for more news on the UO Creator Series, a new graduate student writing group, and some specialized workshops that I’ll be helping with.
Getting in that fitness: In addition to a couple of races that I’m eyeing and my own training, I’m also going to be instructing the running portion of the University of Ottawa’s Stride to Success program. It’s so rewarding to take part in S2S and help people achieve their running goals.

Although the year might look different in some ways, change brings with it opportunity - and I can’t wait to tackle these projects!