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Mission Statement

The GEMS Lab aims to:

By routinely enacting these principles, we seek to advance understanding, challenge inequities, and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Design, develop, and conduct research that explores society’s relationship to gender and media through intersectional feminist and other critical lenses. Our research, which is a form of activism, acknowledges and addresses the complexities of identity, power dynamics, and systemic inequalities.

Act as a community of likeminded scholars and students interested in topics around gender, equity, media and society.

Co-create knowledge that is inclusive, accessible, and meaningful, prioritizing empathy and care in all interactions.

Foster reciprocal partnerships with communities, research participants, collaborators, and stakeholders.

Use feminist methodologies to ensure diverse voices actively shape the questions asked, methods employed, and solutions generated.

Gain a deeper understanding of systems of oppression and their mechanisms, using these to devise (more) effective interventions.

Cultivate an environment where all voices, particularly those traditionally marginalized are valued, ideas are shared, and innovation thrives.

Black Diamond

About

Current Members

Maria Ahmed

Sociology, Western University

Matthew Arkinstall

Sociology, Western University

Sophia Attema

Sociology, Western University

Cathrine Becker

Sociology, Western University

Rachel Chan

Sociology, Western University

Maggie Isabel Chekan

Sociology, Western University

Aral Demirciler

Sociology & Political Science, Western University

Meaghan Furlano

Sociology, Western University

Kathleena Henricus

SASAH & International Relations, Western University

Eden Hoffer

FIMS & Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University

William Hollingshead

Social Media Lab, Toronto Metropolitan University

Nikita Kalwani

Psychology, Western University

Manfred Kofi Antwi Asuman

Sociology, Western University

Nick Langdon

Sociology, Western University

Merita Limani

Sociology, Western University

Christine Loraine Taylhardat

Sociology, Western University

Brittany Melton

FIMS, Western University

Kaitlynn Mendes

Sociology, Western University

Xavier Muller

Sociology, Western University

Era Rana

Sociology, Western University

Robert Nonomura

Sociology, Western University

Estefania Reyes

Sociology, Western University

Júlia Vidal Ruiz

Communication Studies, Universitat Rovira i Virgili

Effie Sapuridis

FIMS, Western University

Haniya Waseem

Sociology, Western University

Bidushy Sadika

Psychology, Western University

Hongshu Wang

Sociology, Western University

Caitlyn Weber

Sociology, Western University

Tian Yi Xu

Sociology, Western University

Maria Zangari

Sociology, Western University

Sylvia Zhu

Sociology, Western University

Mason Brooks

FIMS, Western Univeristy

Isis Rafuse

Sociology, Western University

Kawthar Fedjki

Philosophy, Western University

Alanna Acchoine

FIMS, Western University

Kerzia Blankson

Sociology, Western University

Mattea "Matty" Kott

Sociology, Western University

Lina Adeetuk

Geography and Environment, Western University

Kennedy Hughes

Philosophy, Western University

Althea McIntosh

Sociology, Western University

Former Members

Jasmine Proctor

FIMS, Western University

Cait Bionda

Sociology, Western University

Nandita Biswas Mellamphy

Political Science, Western University

Reema Azzo

Sociology, Western University

Lauren Barr

Sociology, Western University

GEMS Lab Director
Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes

Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes is a Full Professor of Sociology at Western University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Inequality and Gender. She is an expert on rape culture, digital feminist activism, and tech-facilitated sexual violence including sextortion, online harassment, image based-sexual abuse, and deepfakes. She has over 70 publications including Feminism in the News (2011), SlutWalk: Feminism, Activism, and Media (2015), and Digital Feminist Activism: Girls and Women Fight Back Against Rape Culture (2019). Kaitlynn has spent considerable time turning her research findings into resources, policies, and educational materials. Insights from her research have been used to inform policies, practices, and public understanding on contemporary gender inequalities in Canada, the UK, Australia, and Europe. Kaitlynn is also the Principal Investigator on 5-year project DIY: Digital Safety.

GEMS Lab Manager
Ms. Meaghan Furlano

Ms. Meaghan Furlano is a PhD student in Sociology at Western University. As a feminist media and cultural studies scholar, Meaghan’s research interests include gender inequality, feminism, neoliberalism, body culture, social media, antifeminism, AI, menstruation, and qualitative research. She has been published in Culture, Health & Sexuality and has another publication, co-authored with Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, scheduled to be released in The Sage Handbook of Psychological Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in 2025. Meaghan has received a Canada Graduate Scholarship–Master's and currently holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. In addition to managing GEMS, Meaghan works as a teaching assistant and research assistant.

People

Affiliated Professors

Affiliated Professors

Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes

Sociology, Western University

Dr. Robert Nonomura

Sociology, Western University

Dr. Manfred Asuman

Sociology, Western University

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