Masculinities Studies in Education

SSHRC COVID-19: School spaces, school places: Examining adolescents masculinities during the COVID-19 pandemic: With growing concern about the social and education implications of COVID-19, newly launched initiatives are being called to action in uncovering the significance of gender-based analysis (GBA+) during pandemic times. For our SSHRC funded project, in partnership with the Centre for Sexuality, this exploratory research examines how the social construction and materialization of masculine subjectivities, how boys "do boy," may be negotiated and possibly reconfigured in home schooled spaces during COVID-19 times. The examination of masculinities in pre, during, and post COVID-19 times supports an investigation into how school spaces (home, regular school) regulate the (de)construction of rules and norms of masculinities that students implicitly and explicitly understand. Central questions include: To what extent do actual spaces and places (school, home) produce and regulate the construction of teen masculinities? Which forms of adolescent masculinities, prevalent in secondary schools, are challenged in COVID times? Which forms of "adaptive masculinities" emerge in relation to the shifting socio-cultural context in which boys are schooled?

SOTL: Schooling masculinities in teacher education: Disruptive practices, transformative pedagogies in gender and education: This project is designed to introduce and respond to ongoing issues teacher candidates address with regards to gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in Alberta schools and specifically boys, bullying, homophobia and sexism. This project is two-fold in scope and focus. Our primary objective is to better understand to what degree an intentionally designed, optional course can disrupt teaching/thinking about gender in education and directly influence teacher's pedagogical practices. In other words, our team is examining the "what is" in the process of teaching and learning. Additionally, this project will explore how students learn about gender issues in education, more specifically masculinities in education and how that might inform teaching practice and teacher education

M3: Media, Masculinities, Mental Health: This project investigates the relationship between men’s engagement with online dating, and erotic imagery production practices.  

• The aims of this project include 1) understanding the relationship between potential male body image anxieties and/or confidences and online dating platforms; and 2) examining the role of online dating platforms in the wider sense of mental and sexual health and, and overall well-being of young men.

Athletes for Action: This project explores and evaluates the experiences of contributors to the Worldwide Roar; an innovative, immersive approach to promoting healthy masculinities and allyship in sport. In partnership with Dr. Brendan Gough & Dr. Adam Lowe of Leeds Beckett University, UK, this project is commissioned by Sport Allies to produce a report on current research regarding homophobia, gender, and sporting culture.