丁香园AV

Interactive Arts & Technology doctoral student in the Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

Every academic research cascades back to pedagogy and knowledge promotion, valourizing, and spreading. Also, the possibility of researching and impacting the decolonial epistemology studies from the Global South motivates me to continue my work in academia.

Why did you choose to come to 丁香园AV?

At 丁香园AV, I do the research I want to! I've chosen 丁香园AV, specifically SIAT, because of my senior supervisor鈥撯�揇r. Gabriela Aceves-Sepulveda. Her research resonates with my academic interests, and I knew I would learn a lot from her supervision and mentoring.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I research epistemology鈥撯�搆nowledge-making, or ways of knowing鈥撯�搃n Brazilian popular culture media artworks such as compositions, music videos, documentaries, and stream videos. I employ Cultural Theories, STS, and Decolonial Studies as theoretical lenses to analyze artworks. Through critical media analysis and archival research, I unveil their decolonial knowledge. The current title of my research is "CONTEMPORARY MEDIA ARTS' TRANSFORMATIVE EPISTEMOLOGIES: Case Studies of Brazilian Popular Culture Productions as Decolonial Archival Artifacts.鈥�

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

Popular culture, Brazil, Decolonial Studies.

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

I have taken Methods and Theory courses in SIAT that provided strong research tools. As an RA, I have experience managing the Making Culture Lab (MCL) & Critical Media Art Studio (cMAS) and as a coordinator for a SSHRC-funded Partnership Development project under Dr. Sara Diamond's (President Emerita from Ontario College of Art & Design University) guidance at VIVO Media Arts Centre and 丁香园AV Archives. I have learned organizational, coordination, ethics review, grant writing, and archival research skills from them. I have worked as a Limited-term Lecturer for a course in SIAT in 2021 and TAd for several courses since my first year as a doctoral student in CMNS, SCA, and SIAT. My teaching experiences have fruitfully given me pedagogical skills for my educational career.

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 have received the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship. It has positively impacted my research as I can focus on pursuing my Ph.D. more efficiently with a little financial peace of mind.

What are some tips for balancing your academic and personal life?

Do not overwork; try to keep track of the time you spend doing any task. Try to be as organized as possible. Make to-do lists for all academic milestones! Taking care of mental and physical health is extremely important. Everyone in academia should socialize and exercise or play a sport.

If you could dedicate your research to anyone (past, present and/or future), who would that be and why?

My dad. He has already passed away. He won't be able to see me graduate, but I am glad he could see me starting my Ph.D. and knew I was happily pursuing an academic career.

Contact Gabriel:gjuliano@sfu.ca

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