Beyond the headlines: Revealing Canada's hidden narratives

This event has been rescheduled from Dec. 7, 2023, at St. Paul's Bloor to Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at StartWell Event Studio.

Delve into the intersection of education, media literacy, and cultural influence at our exclusive Toronto panel event. Experts in media literacy, social justice, and education will discuss the evolution of inclusive media curriculum, citizen roles in media literacy, and the impact of American media on the Canadian experience.

Join us at StartWell Event Studio for a thought-provoking fireside chat featuring Dr. Claire Ahn, Assistant Professor of Multiliteracies at Queen's, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Artsci'11, CBC Radio Host of COMMOTION, Sabrina Bernard, Artsci'25, National Writer at Her Campus, and Ampai Thammachack, Artsci'20, MA'22, Founder and CEO of Step Above Stigma.

After the talk, engage in meaningful discussions and network with fellow alumni over light refreshments. 

Meet Our Panelists

Dr. Claire Ahn

Assistant Professor of Multiliteracies, Faculty of Education, Queen's University

Claire Ahn is an Assistant Professor of Multiliteracies. Broadly speaking, her research focusses on how information is shared across different platforms and how this affects people’s understanding of issues, events, and of people. She has explored these areas through topics such as considering the integration of film analysis in the English classroom, the importance of critical digital and visual literacy education, and in ways in which to better prepare students to detect deceptive media. Claire was also a high school English teacher for 10 years and so her research is strongly rooted in and considers high school English curricula and pedagogical implications. One of her ongoing projects with Dr. Thashika Pillay includes the exploration of youth and English teachers’ experiences and perspectives in implementing critical social justice education (CSJE) in English classrooms. Their upcoming study will include collaborating with English teachers through a series of workshops, introducing new knowledge and skills related to implementing CSJE so they can replicate the lessons in their own classes and then mentor and guide their colleagues.
  

Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Artsci'11

CBC Radio Host, COMMOTION

Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Artsci'11, is the host of CBC Radio’s daily arts, pop culture and entertainment show COMMOTION, and a former writer for BuzzFeed News. His work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Maclean's, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and others. Elamin is the author of Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces, a number one national bestseller, a Globe 100 book, and a New York Times notable book.
  

Sabrina Bernard, Artsci'25

National Writer, Her Campus

Sabrina Bernard is currently an undergraduate student at Queen’s University where she studies English Literature. Her passion for writing has landed her a position as a National Writer for Her Campus, where she writes articles on entertainment and pop culture. With such a large platform through Her Campus, she is dedicated to using it to promote inclusivity and demonstrate to her readers that anyone, regardless of their background, can make a meaningful impact in the media industry. In addition to her writing pursuits, Sabrina is actively involved in creating an inclusive environment for student leaders and first-year students as part of the largest not-for-profit Orientation program in Canada.

Our Moderator

Ampai Thammachack, Artsci'20, MA'22

Founder, Step Above Stigma | Manager, Prince's Trust Canada 

Ampai Thammachack, is the Founder and CEO of Step Above Stigma, a nation-wide mental health charity dedicated to empowering youth. She is also a Program Manager at Prince's Trust Canada and the Co-President of the Glass Slipper Organization. As a result of her efforts, she has been honoured as a recipient of the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award, one of the Top 22 Under 22 Most Inspiring College Women in the World; CSPN’s Entrepreneur of the Year, a L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth, one of Canada’s Top 100 Black Women to Watch, one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Innovators, a Princess Diana Award Recipient, and as Ascend Canada and RBC’s Social Impact Award winner.  

Dress code: Business Casual

Doors open: 5:30 pm ET. Drinks and light refreshments will be served upon arrival. 

StartWell Event Studio has paid parking available at: 81-95 Stanley Terrace Parking Lot, Toronto, ON M6J 3N7