Thomas Dickson

I'm from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and I completed my BA at The University of Winnipeg in spring 2020. Alongside a major in Rhetoric & Communication, I minored in Theatre & Film and Political Science. As an undergraduate student, I was particularly interested in film history and theory, political ideologies, and public discourses.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I chose to come to SFU for a variety of reasons, among them being that I had spoken with Professor Zoë Druick before submitting my application for the Communication MA program, and based on our exciting and encouraging conversation, I knew the School of Communication would be a great place for me. Having travelled to B.C. several times before, I knew I'd love to have the opportunity to spend more time in the province as well. SFU's reputation as one of Canada's top universities was another factor that impacted my decision to accept the offer to study at the School of Communication. The program was also highly recommended by my professors at The University of Winnipeg

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH AND/OR PROGRAM.

As a first-year MA student, my research interests are still in development, but I'd say my interests include political communication, online participatory cultures, and film and online media studies. I'm particularly interested in online video streaming services as cultural venues, and how public policy can respond to them to support local artists and filmmakers. In this context, I'm also interested in "Cancon" and the history of Canadian cinema and cultural policies.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

Continuing my studies online has been a bit of a challenge amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but I've really enjoyed participating in online seminars and connecting with classmates and professors, who have all been incredibly kind and supportive during this challenging time.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR FUNDED AWARDS?

I received a Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council this past spring, and I'm incredibly honoured and grateful to have been chosen for the award. The award has really encouraged me to pursue my research interests, and I'm really looking forward to working on my thesis and developing the project that I proposed in my application.

Contact Thomas: tfd@sfu.ca