"I chose SFU because I wanted to work under the guidance of well-regarded scholars in the field of communication studies and be a part of a research-oriented university."

Meet More Students in Communication, Art + Technology

SEE MORE PROFILES

Curate your digital footprint

Want to be featured on our website? Complete our online submission form.

Submit your profile

Jamie Hoholuk

December 08, 2022
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
SMS
Email
Copy

master's student in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology

I have always had a keen interest in how popular culture both reflects and reinforced the world that we lived in. My research career started during my undergraduate studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C., where I obtained a Bachelor of Journalism in 2019. I was one of the co-primary investigators that studied how researchers negotiate ethics when using socially mediated images of the body as data; these findings were later published in New Media & Society. Doing this work introduced me to the work of many media scholars and I have been intrigued in pursuing a career in research ever since. I have been fortunate enough to continue working in academic spaces, including developing courses in the area of media and diversity, and researching social media research ethics. Prior to my acceptance to the School of Communication, I served as a research assistant for my now-supervisor, Dr. Stuart Poyntz, on a federally funded project that aimed to seek understanding of young adults about their relationship with, and their language used around, online pornography. Currently, I serve as the Managing Editor for Stream, Simon Fraser University’s interdisciplinary communications journal and as a Teaching Assistant with the School of Communication.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I chose SFU because I wanted to work under the guidance of well-regarded scholars in the field of communication studies and be a part of a research-oriented university. Also, I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and love the fact that a facility like SFU is available so close to home!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

My research interests focus on popular culture (in particular, film and television) as a mode of informal learning for youth. More specifically, how youth use media to seek knowledge on themes of sex and sexuality as a supplement to traditional sex education. My thesis is an analysis of two Netflix series – Big Mouth (2017-) and Sex Education (2019-) - with the goal of learning how popular culture both informs and reinforces the importance of the language used to discuss sexuality with youth.

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

I have enjoyed the community and mentorship that has come along with graduate studies at SFU. My supervisor has been an integral part of my academic career thus far, but also other faculty members are always willing to provide guidance. Additionally, I am part of a cohort of peers whose work I admire and who are always willing to help each other succeed.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

I am the 2022 recipient of the Canadian Graduate Scholarship – Masters from the Social Sciences and Human Research Council of Canada. This funding has not only allowed me to dedicate more time to my research but has also served as a stepping-stone to applying for further funding as I continue my studies.

 

Contact Jamie: jamie_hoholuk@sfu.ca

Additional Links