The Girls in the Digital World research team consists of 5 dedicated and experienced individuals who have spent months researching Participatory Action Research and are committed to supporting the co-researchers throughout the entire research process.
Research Team 2021-2022
Principal Investigator: Dr. Julie Garlen
Julie C. Garlen (she/her) is a critical cultural theorist of childhood and curriculum and an Associate Professor of Childhood and Youth Studies in the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies at Carleton University. Previously, she worked in the U.S. South as an elementary school teacher and an early childhood teacher educator. Before she immigrated to Canada, her work on cultural studies of education and children’s popular culture led to the publication of two volumes co-edited with Jennifer Sandlin: Teaching with Disney (Peter Lang, 2016) and Disney, Culture and Curriculum (Routledge, 2016). More recently, her work has focused on how the Western myth of childhood innocence informs work with and understandings of children in North American contexts. Since 2018, she has also been working with a team of researchers on how memories shape understandings of childhood among adults preparing for careers involving work with children.
PhD Research Assistant: Evie Ruddy
Evie Ruddy (they/them) is a socially engaged artist, PhD student in Cultural Mediations at Carleton University, and holds a research fellowship with the Transgender Media Lab. Evie’s artwork involves photography, video, sound, writing, and augmented reality. They live in Treaty 4 with their two pups, Frankie LeTigre and Gracie Peaches.
Graduate Research Assistant: Brandon Tobin
Brandon (he/him) is a graduate of the Child Studies Program at Carleton University, with a minor in History. He is also a graduate of Teachers College at the University of Ottawa. He has several years of experience working with children and youth as-well as a vast experience in the world of web design. Brandon continues to be a part of the Child and Youth Studies community at Carleton University. Brandon currently works as a teacher at the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Sarah Hembruff
Sarah (she/her) is a graduate of the Childhood and Youth Studies Program at Carleton University, with a minor in sociology. Sarah has 2 years of experience doing research on topics related to children and youth. Her past research has focused on young people and social media activism, young people and social media, and families experiences with school disruptions during COVID-19. Sarah also works full-time as an Educational Assistant at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Brittany Parisien
Brittany Parisien (she/her) is a graduate of the Childhood and Youth Studies Program at Carleton University, with a minor in Human Rights and Social Justice. She also received her diploma in Early Childhood Education at Algonquin College in 2019. Brittany completed an undergraduate thesis during her final year at Carleton University. Brittany has had the opportunity to extensively work with children in both her academic and professional work experiences. Brittany is currently completing her first year of the Master of Education program at the University of Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
Research Team 2022-2023
Principal Investigator: Dr. Julie Garlen (She/Her)
PhD Research Assistant: Evie Ruddy (They/Them)
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Sarah Hembruff (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Brittany Parisien (She/Her)
Undergraduate Research Assistant: Inaya Huda (She/Her)
Inaya (she/her) is a first-year student at Carleton University, currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Human Rights and Social Justice with a minor in Legal Studies. She is working as a research intern through the I-CUREUS program.