What’s your role at Emily Carr?

I’m the Communications Advisor at Emily Carr, so I’ll be helping with all things internal communications, strategic planning, and highlighting the creative and insightful projects and initiatives that the ECU community is working on.

How long have you been at Emily Carr?

Since December 2021, only two months but I’m excited to learn more!

What do you hope people gain from your writing?

As a journalist and communicator, I love uncovering the deeper stories behind some of the exciting and interesting projects that people create and delving into their creative process. There can be many misconceptions about the process or the field, so I like to debunk any untruths and bring a fresh perspective to a story or project that’s making an impact. I’ve relished the opportunities in my previous roles at environmental nonprofits and in government communications to write about diverse topics from marine protection, endangered species laws to COVID-19 renter protections and cultural supports in the arts sector.

What did you enjoy most about your university experience?

Getting to learn about the systemic and unjust factors that influence our society and culture, and the opportunity to watch and consume all the TV, books, and movies in a more critical and creative way, without the tsk-tsk of grandparents and family members during my Cultural Studies BA! Through my Journalism MA, it was the ability to hone in on finding my voice through features writing and writing for multiple mediums.

What helped you during the pandemic?

Being the only longest-running star baker of the week at my house and trying many different recipes from olive oil cake, pistachio rosewater cake to turmeric sugar cookies, tahini and chocolate cookies. Baking has always been a fun outlet to switch off and purely concentrate on making sure the ingredients all line up and the butter is always at room temperature!

What’s on your shelf at the moment?

I’ve enjoyed the recent proliferation in food writing and what it reveals about a person, their culture or even gatekeeping within the industry. Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner, Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sen and Cook As You Are by Ruby Tandoh have captured my attention recently.

Your TEDx talk starts now, what are you lecturing about?

As very pop-culture indoctrinated people, my sister and I were plonked in front of The Simpsons and long and engrossing Hindi films as kids while my parents puttered around the house, so I can definitely chew your ear off talking about how The Simpsons were the best sitcom family from seasons 1-10. Or that Bob’s Burgers will lift anyone’s spirits with its witty songs like the One Direction cast-off “Will You Be Mine (Coal Mine)?” or the Working Girl and Die Hard musical mashup “Work Hard or Die Trying, Girl.” Or you can sample my rantings about how Hindi cinema is going the very jingoistic route these days.

What are you watching these days?

I know I watched tons during 2020 but when every day rolls into one then all your viewing habits glom into one big blob that’s nestled at the back of your brain. So this year, I’ve been a bit nerdy and am writing down every new thing I watch during this pandemic. Right now, it’s been going on a deep dive of The Sopranos (who’d have thought a gangster’s exasperation with his family and business would ring so true?), Somebody, Somewhere (a warm and witty comedy about grief, loss, and finding your community at any age), and constant reruns of Bob’s Burgers.

Why should people get in touch with you?

For support in reaching out to the ECU community on your latest initiatives, for an extra set of eyes on writing your communications plans and to chat about the amazing work you’re doing - I’m eager to learn more about what each and every staff and faculty member does.