Reality television frequently embraces a ‘man versus nature’ approach, pitting individual workers or crews trying to exploit resources against a wild and dangerous natural environment.

On Friday, Jan. 24, the Master of Arts in Geography Speaker Series welcomes Roberta Hawkings, Associate Professor of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Guelph, to closely examine these dynamics in a talk entitled “Gender, Nature and Nation: Nature-Society representations on reality television.”

Hawkings will share the results of her recent study of 100 episodes from 15 reality television shows like Deadliest Catch, Yukon Gold, and Siberian Cut. In the study, she uses discourse and visual analysis to examine the depictions of masculine workers and a feminized nature.

Everyone is welcome to attend this public event.

What: “Gender, Nature and Nation: Nature-Society representations on reality television,” presented by Roberta Hawkings

Where: Mackenzie Chown C407

When: Friday, Jan. 24 at noon