{"id":55361,"date":"2019-01-10T12:02:31","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T17:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=55361"},"modified":"2019-01-14T16:21:40","modified_gmt":"2019-01-14T21:21:40","slug":"symposium-to-explore-youth-visual-and-cultural-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2019\/01\/symposium-to-explore-youth-visual-and-cultural-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"Symposium to explore youth visual and cultural identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s Instagram, Snapchat or another popular platform, social media has the ability to impact the way teens see themselves and how they form their own identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

This concept, as well as others surrounding social media, beauty ideals and visual and cultural identities in adolescents, will be discussed at a research symposium taking place at Brock on Friday, Feb. 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

Impression Management: Constructions of Visual and Cultural Identities in North American Adolescents brings together researchers from several institutions and disciplines. Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pond Inlet, the event is open to all members of the Brock community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two discussion panels will be held throughout the day, with speakers also giving brief presentations on their work around the theme of youth identity construction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIdentity is a key issue across disciplines because it is contested and difficult to navigate. Asserting identity raises issues of class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion and politics,\u201d says Faculty of Education Professor and event organizer Fiona Blaikie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her recent research has focused on youth visual and cultural identity constructions and the need for these to be explored in art education.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIdentity is a particularly problematic issue in high schools as adolescents begin to establish their sense of self,\u201d says Blaikie. This process shapes youth as individuals and impacts the social ecosystem of schools.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStudies of high school identities reveal various manifestations of power and agency within subcultures, as well as bullying and exclusion,\u201d explains Blaikie.<\/span><\/p>\n

The role of technology, celebrity culture and social media on identity construction will also be explored during the symposium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many forms of identity construction as well as the impact of celebrity and pop culture influencers are realized via social media, including Instagram, Snapchat and blogs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blaikie is currently leading a research project that focuses on visual and cultural identities and beauty ideals in adolescents, encompassing intersectionality and visual art self-creations and constructions through social media and art making.<\/span><\/p>\n

Symposium speakers include:<\/span><\/p>\n