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Welcome to Research Unplugged, the official podcast for the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University. Across a diverse range of programs, including Criminology, Public Safety, Psychology, Game Design, Leadership, and Health Studies, our faculty are engaged in exciting and innovative research. Listen to Research Unplugged for interviews with faculty who break down, or 'unplug', their research for the audience.
Join us as we talk to Dr. Judy Eaton about why she chose the field of psychology and, as a self-professed introvert, what drew her to becoming a professor. We also dive into her research on country singer Dolly Parton and how she went from childhood fan to researching how Dolly exemplifies the principles of positive psychology through her music and philanthropy. The listener will learn about narrative analysis of song lyrics and how people use words that can reflect their social and cultural environment. This is a fascinating and entertaining episode not to be missed!
Judy Eaton is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her primary area of interest is in positive psychology and how evidence-based practices can help people thrive and flourish.
This episode was made possible by the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
This episode was produced by Dr. Andrew Welsh and Tracy Woodford from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
We sat down with Dr. Erin Dej (Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University) to talk about how an early interest in constitutional law ultimately led her towards an education in critical criminology. But it would be a volunteering stint at a local homeless shelter that would redirect her life in numerous ways, including her career path. Flash forward to today, we find Erin still intrigued and just as passionate about examining the criminal justice system as a system of power used to determine who is criminalized and who is not. In this episode Erin expands on her research and advocacy on homelessness and the injustice of being homeless in Canada. We also dive into the documentary Erin co- created on the misperceptions of homelessness called “Bridging Divides: Voices and Visions on Homelessness in Midsize Cities.” (YouTube link to documentary below). We hope you find this episode as compelling as we did!
Erin Dej is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research explores social inclusion and supporting efforts to end homelessness in Canada.
This episode was made possible by the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
This episode was produced by Dr. Andrew Welsh and Tracy Woodford from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Sandra Danilovic, Associate Professor in Game Design and Development and Wilfrid Laurier University. We dive into Sandra’s early beginnings as a multi-media artist and award-winning documentary filmmaker, a path that would eventually lead her to a research career in autobiographical game design. Sandra also discusses her new book “Game Design Therapoetics, Making Games with Care,” and the culmination of 10 years of research creating game jams for marginalized communities. Her next project will look at the intersection of game design practices and care-based, artificial intelligence. Despite an already accomplished career, it would seem she is just getting started. Please enjoy this episode!
Guest
Sandra Danilovic is an associate professor in the Game Design and Development program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research focuses on autobiographical game-based storytelling as a tool to support those with lived-experience with mental health and addiction recovery.
Research
This episode was made possible by the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
This episode was produced by Dr. Andrew Welsh and Tracy Woodford from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University.
Sensitive Content Warning
This episode contains conversations that are sensitive in nature and references institutional violence, including sexual and physical abuse, and injustice. Listeners may find the material disturbing.
We are joined by Dr. Kate Rossiter, Professor of Health Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University in this fascinating episode. We learn how Kate’s early ambitions of becoming a doctor morphed into a theatre degree. A brief but pivotal job as a “fake nurse” and a pandemic would change her trajectory once again. Kate’s rich and winding path, both personally and professionally, would eventually lead to her critical research in institutional violence. Perhaps this accidental academic was not so accidental after all! Please enjoy this inspiring and engaging episode.
Guest
Kate Rossiter is a Professor of Health Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Kate combines critical theoretical scholarship in health with arts-based practices, including theatre and fiction. In particular she is interested in critical theories of the body, disability studies, and the social determinants of health. Her current research involves the use of art to facilitate storytelling with people who have intellectual disabilities who have survived institutionalization.
Research
This episode was made possible by the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University
This episode was produced by Dr. Andrew Welsh and Tracy Woodford from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University.