By Karen Kelly
Kit Chokly describes the study of communication as a way to explain the world around us: “Once you can explain it, you can work with it in more effective ways.”
As the world went into self-isolation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chokly had an opportunity to test out this theory. They used an audio media assignment to record a conversation with their sister.
“I was contemplating my surroundings and saw the clock my sister had made out of our basketball hoop,” recalls Chokly. “I called her in Australia and we had a nice discussion about it. That was impactful for me. I realized that we may be isolated physically, but not necessarily socially.”
Chockly decided to expand their idea and invite others to submit media of objects online that were with them in isolation, in The Isolation Museum.
“It just took off unexpectedly. There are currently 211 artifacts published on there,” says Chokly, who was interviewed on CBC Radio’s Spark. “My favourite submissions are the handmade beaded masks from a Facebook group called Breathe. We created a virtual gallery for the masks.”
Continuing in Communication
Chokly’s plan for post-graduation includes a further exploration into the research they began for their Honours Research Essay. They have been accepted into Carleton’s Master of Arts, Communication program.
“I am looking at gender and the environment and how those intersect from a trans perspective,” says Chokly. “I will be looking at hormones as a form of mediation of gender as well as environmental pollutants. It deconstructs the notion of nature, natural spaces, and bodies.”
Chokly is particularly looking forward to their collaborations with the faculty in the School of Journalism and Communication. They held research assistantships with a number of professors.
“It’s been great. There are so many fantastic people who have been really influential in the field of Communication Studies, which is why I’m staying at Carleton for the next couple of years.”
Thursday, June 25, 2020 in Convocation, FPA Voices, Students
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