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Helen Lin
ASSISTANT, EVENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND MARKETING
Areas of Focus: Events, Communications, and Engagement Strategy
Pronouns: she/her
Email: commspsq@sfu.ca
Helen is a third-year Co-op student at Simon Fraser University with a creative background in digital communication and design.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminology and a minor in Interactive Arts and Technology, where she explores how social systems and human behavior shape the ways people engage with complex social issues. Her creative approach to graphic design and video production reflects her broader interest in communicating ideas in engaging and accessible ways.
With hands-on volunteer experience in planning and supporting community-focused events, Helen strives to create spaces where people feel welcome, heard, and included. In her role at the Centre, she supports public programming, communications, and marketing initiatives, drawing on her interdisciplinary background to help promote events that facilitate deep conversations and foster understanding.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT THE CENTRE FOR DIALOGUE?
As a new member of the Centre, my role is to support the planning and delivery of public programs and initiatives and help create and share digital content that promotes the Centre’s work, such as newsletters, graphics and short videos. By helping to create programs that feel inclusive, intentional, and welcoming, my work supports the conditions that allow dialogue to unfold.
WHAT DOES DIALOGUE MEAN TO YOU?
To me, dialogue is a process of listening with curiosity rather than the goal of agreement, especially when conversations involve power, difference, or lived experiences. In our society, we've been conditioned to listen so that we can respond, defend, or persuade. However, I believe that dialogue is about slowing down and approaching unfamiliar conversations with a willingness to learn and understand.
WHAT IS A COMMON ASSUMPTION YOU'D LIKE TO DEMYSTIFY?
Many people believe that dialogue must lead to a clear solution or consensus when, oftentimes, its value lies in helping people better understand an issue and each other's unique perspectives and experiences - even when no immediate answer emerges. While outcomes can be important, dialogue is most meaningful as a process rather than a destination.