Communication Research for Social Change MA Prepares Students to Confront Social Problems

From the climate crisis to the rise of far-right ideologies and the unprecedented deepening of social inequality, our world faces many urgent problems. Our Communication Research for Social Change Master of Arts (SCMA) program teaches students how communication research and practice help us understand and confront social problems, often through collaboration with communities and progressive organizations.

This program draws on our half-century long record of critical teaching and research—a hallmark of our reputation as a leading Communication program in Canada and globally. Throughout this 16-month program, SCMA students develop applied and engaged projects to change the world.

“This kind of rapid project-oriented master’s degree is highly suited to our current time: problems requiring social change necessitate quick innovative ideas, rapid prototyping, and fast turnaround in terms of getting ideas into the public conversation,” says Milena Droumeva, Director of the School of Communication.

Social change research projects mobilize knowledge, promote engagement, and raise awareness in pursuit of social inclusion, solidarity, and economic equality. Students take research learned in the classroom into the real world to pursue the social change issues most important to them and their communities. 

“I believe there has never been a more important time in recent history to pursue this type of program. Communication and technology are rapidly changing democracy, and this type of program offers solutions for people motivated to pursue social change,” says Jody Bauche, who recently presented her capstone project on supporting Indigenous sovereign and cultural production as part of the SCMA program’s first cohort.

Students can work both independently and in partnership with community organizations throughout the development of their projects while learning from their peers, SFU faculty members, and community leaders.

“It’s fantastic to see how students with similar values but very different projects grew together as a cohort and as a team, and to see how they bonded over the course of bringing their projects to fruition,” says Jason Congdon, School of Communication Graduate Programs Coordinator.

“Having a cohort to experience this program with offered a sense of belonging and connection. It was really great to work alongside other students who have a passion for social change,” says Bauche.

Having now completed and presented their projects, the first cohort of Communication Research for Social Change graduates are set to cross the stage this June. They are equipped with the theoretical and practical frameworks needed to enact social change through their current and future work.

“These projects represented bold first steps – the projects may initially have small-scale impacts, but these will grow as our graduates carry these endeavours into their careers,” says Congdon.

Despite completing the program, their relationships with the School and each other will continue into the future as they continue to develop their projects in the real world.

“I'm excited for cohorts of alumni to develop into a robust network of consultants and specialists who might work together to move industries and sectors along towards more sustainable and just practices. I'm excited for our program to have a history and database of successful projects,” says Droumeva.