Education
I am currently pursuing a PhD in Communication & Culture at York University and Toronto Metropolitan University, while working as a contract lecturer and research assistant. In 2022 I completed a Master of Education for Change from Lakehead University with a specialisation in social justice education. in 2006 I earned an HBA from University of Toronto with a double major in visual studies and philosophy.
Research
My research focuses on the role of imagery in the spread of mis- and disinformation on social media. The focus of my Master's portfolio examined the role of photography as public pedagogy through the lens of COVID-19 visual media coverage and paying special attention to the misrepresentation of marginalized communities. I will further develop this work in my PhD research by exploring the function of imagery, including photographs, cartography and other data visualizations, as public pedagogy while seeking new strategies to champion visual literacy.
If you are interested in working together, get in touch!
email: mmckee@yorku.ca
Experience
Prior to my recent academic roles as a researcher and contract lecturer, I have spent a decade between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Toronto working for galleries, foundations, art fairs, cultural districts and government entities. I have curated exhibitions, public programmes, and events that celebrate the work of artists and cultural practitioners, with a particular focus on the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. I have dedicated my career to developing platforms by which artists, educators and thought leaders are able to build a sense of community and challenge hegemonic narratives.
Recent Publications:
2024 | Co-author | Privacy and digital literacy curriculum landscape in Canada. Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (Unpublished commissioned report)
2023 | Book chapter author | "Power and the Image: Bias in Photojournalism and the Importance of Visual Literacy" | Critical Media Literacy: challenges for the 21st Century | McGraw Hill
2023 | Co-author | “Truck Fudeau: Algorithms, conspiracy and radicalization” | Norteamerica
2022 | Co-author | The Capitol Riots: Digital Media, Disinformation, and Democracy Under Attack | Routledge
2022 | Co-author | “Nostalgic Pasts, A Dystopian Present & Imagined Futures” | Tribe Magazine
2021 | Co-author | “Teaching in the Age of Covid-19: A Longitudinal Study” | Postdigital Science and Education Journal
Conferences:
2024 | Co-presenter | Media Education Lab Webinar Series on Inequalities and Media Education.
“What Conspiracy? Media Education and/in the Mirror World”
2023 | Presenter | Data Justice Conference | Cardiff, Wales
“Counter-mapping COVID-19: Visual resistance”
2023 | Co-presenter | International Communication Association Conference | Toronto, Canada
"Counter-mapping COVID-19 | Visual strategies and alternative imaginaries"
2022 | Co-presenter | UNESCO Chair DCMET Symposium | online
“Visual Literacy as social action: Photography praxis for social change”
2022 | Presenter | IAMCR 2022 Online Conference
“Visual communication and photography praxis: Identifying bias in COVID-19 media imagery”
2021 | Co-presenter | Critical Media Literacy Conference of the Americas | online
“Media Education as Peoples’ Movement: Challenging Neoliberal Assumptions”
Community-focused work:
In October, 2020 I led a Visual Literacy workshop with Kevin Jones of Juniper Mind which aimed to provide participants with tools to decode our visual culture. We examined COVID-19 visuals in mainstream media, encouraging critical thinking and frank discussions about representation. As the Programmes Manager for the cultural district Alserkal I was responsible for the eighth edition of Quoz Arts Fest - a celebration of live music, performance, art, design, and food which welcomed over 38,000 people in two days in January of 2020. In 2019 I produced a large scale exhibition in Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi featuring European Landscape Paintings from the 15th to 19th century as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2019, while working as the Senior Manager of Visual Arts for the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.
I have curated over 30 exhibitions of contemporary photography for Gulf Photo Plus, Dubai’s centre for photography, including work by Laura El Tantawy, Aida Muluneh, Denis Dailleux, and Alia Ali.
How I can help
- Photography research using content analysis & social semiotic methods
- Guest lecturer or panelist on the misrepresentation of marginalized communities in COVID-19 coverage
Multidisciplinary cultural programming
- Exhibition curation, design and installation
- Artist mentorship and management
- Sponsorship development
- Exhibition installation photography
- Event management
In the news
- Article in Tribe Magazine "Nostalgic Pasts, A Dystopian Present & Imagined Futures: The World Through the Lens of Alia Ali"
- Speaking on Dubai Eye radio about Quoz Arts Fest.
- Coverage in Canvas Magazine on Block Universe performances during Quoz Arts Fest and Sara Naim's artist take over.
- Interview with The National on The Arab Street Exhibition.
- Speaking with the Financial Times about the emerging art scene in the UAE.
- Left - Exhibition visit with Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, with Mohamed Somji, Director at Gulf Photo Plus.