Research summary
The evolution of mass media, from the printing press to the internet, has led to persistent, negative, outdated representations of women, Indigenous peoples and people of colour. As Canada Research Chair in Intercultural Encounter, Dr. Lauren Beck is working to expose and eradicate the lasting global impacts of early-modern European notions of marginalized identity that still permeate the media today.
She and her research team are working to direct public perceptions of women, Indigenous peoples and people of colour away from a Eurocentric, masculinist view and toward one based on the mutuality of the act of intercultural encounter. (Intercultural encounter describes not only the first time people meet one another, such as when the Europeans invaded the Americas, but also the way people with distinct identities interact.) The team is contributing to reconciliation between marginalized and mainstream groups by including and valuing marginalized experiences and knowledge and exploring how we can overcome bias and challenge white patriarchy.