Kellie Chouinard’s journey to her PhD in English at Waterloo has been anything but linear. With a background in social media, event planning and public relations, Chouinard’s professional experiences fueled her curiosity about how social media is used to communicate in specific ways.
After earning her BA in English, Creative Writing and History from the University of Windsor in 2010 Chouinard pursued a master’s degree at the University of Calgary. Her career in industry led her to continually reassess how she could reintegrate education and learning into her life. This drive led her to enroll in a graduate certificate program in public relations and corporate communications at Fanshawe College, which in turn solidified her desire to pursue a PhD to study social media and digital communication more comprehensively.
Navigating cancer and connection during COVID-19
In 2019, Chouinard’s world was turned upside down by an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis. This was further compounded by the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking solace, she turned to online communities for human connection, a common response during the pandemic, but one that had added urgency for Chouinard due to her health situation.
Throughout her diagnosis and treatment, Chouinard found support through Instagram, connecting with others facing similar challenges. This experience inspired her to research how young women use social media to connect and validate their experiences. “One of the things that I’m researching is the ways these social media communities offer a sort of digital ‘safe space’ for young women with breast cancer to talk about some of the taboo aspects of their experiences such as grief and survivor’s guilt,” she says. “The more these women share openly, the more others will share and build each other up.”
Chouinard sees social media as a misunderstood tool. While it can have negative impacts, it also fosters genuine connections and community building. Her research highlights the positive aspects of social media in creating supportive spaces.
Expanding Pedagogical Horizons
Chouinard’s commitment to education is evident in her teaching roles at Waterloo. As a past instructor of ENGL 295 (Social Media), ENGL 275 (Fiction and Film), and ENGL 408A (Writing for the Media), she expertly integrates her research objectives with students’ interests, creating a dynamic and engaging classroom environment where students can connect their personal passions with the course material. “If a student explains a key term using examples from their own interests, I know they understand. Seeing that ‘aha!’ moment is amazing,” says Chouinard.
Last year, she attended the Conference on College Composition and Communication with the support of the Faculty of Arts Connect 4 Success Fund, made possible by donations from alumni. The experience provided Chouinard with new pedagogical tools and reassurance that her teaching challenges were universal. She returned to Waterloo with a wealth of techniques and a renewed sense of purpose, she says.
Chouinard chose Waterloo for the chance to teach courses that aligned with her research, the excellent faculty and staff, and the beautiful campus. A key factor was her supervisor, Dr. Aimée Morrison, whose work on mommy blogging and social media research methods resonated with Chouinard’s interests. Recognizing the importance of a supportive community, both online and in academia, Chouinard emphasizes the value of finding the right graduate supervisor. “Email potential supervisors to check their availability and expertise alignment,” she advises. “Choose someone you want to work with for the next four years, who provides the supervision and feedback you need. The right supervisor can make your PhD a great experience.”
