Meet Kathy Ullyott. A seasoned media skilled with a love for storytelling and schooling, she is the Chair of the Media & Communication Research program on the College of Guelph-Humber. Discover out about her skilled journey, in addition to what she’s keen about exterior of labor – and even what she’s been watching on TV these days with our feathered pal, Swoop.
Q: Because the Chair of the Media & Communication Research program right here on the College of Guelph-Humber, you’re a seasoned skilled within the business with eager management expertise. What are you able to inform us about your profession journey in turning into Chair?
A: I knew I wished to pursue a profession in media from across the mid-point of highschool. I went to the College of Saskatchewan to earn a bachelor of arts diploma in English Lit, after which moved to London, Ont., to finish a grasp of arts in journalism on the College of Western Ontario. From there, I spent 20 years in print journalism, beginning on the Canadian Press, and writing and holding senior editorial positions at magazines reminiscent of Flare, Canadian Dwelling and Homemakers. At one level, I spent three years on the international public relations agency Continental Golin Harris, which is now Weber Shandwick.
With a eager curiosity in serving to form the following technology of media professionals, plus increasing my vary of data into areas like pictures, design, and content material technique, I took on the chance to create a holistic media expertise for Guelph-Humber college students because the Assistant Program Head in 2013. That yr, I created an enormous, multidisciplinary venture that might contain the complete fourth-year Media Research class – EMERGE.
Now I’m the Chair of MCS and it’s extraordinarily rewarding.
Q: You acquired your grasp’s diploma in journalism from Western College. What initially drew you to learning journalism once you had been a scholar?
A: I’d at all times liked writing, however I fell in love with magazines the summer season I turned 12, driving again from swimming classes with my cousins and aunt. They’d a pile of teenybopper magazines within the again seat, and I used to be hooked. About that point – mid-70s – Watergate broke, and Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein not solely had been worldwide heroes however demonstrated the significance of the press in democracy. That was it for me. (In a implausible full-circle sort of approach, I had the chance to listen to Woodward and Bernstein communicate in particular person in 2022, at a School Media Affiliation convention in Washington.)
Q: In the event you might have dinner with any three media personalities, digital creators, or journalists on the planet, who would they be and why?
A: I’m choosing historic figures as a result of I’d be fascinated to search out out their views and views on present occasions and the way societies have modified since they had been writing.
- Margaret Ecker. She was a Canadian struggle correspondent throughout World Struggle II, and the one girl despatched abroad by the Canadian Press and the one girl current at Germany’s official give up in 1945. I’d like to ask her not solely about particulars of her experiences in such a male-dominated (as most had been) business, but additionally her response to how ladies’s roles and rights have advanced to the place they’re now – particularly within the armed providers, with ladies serving in senior and fight roles.
- Katharine Graham. Because the writer of the Washington Submit from 1963 to 1991, Graham is arguably essentially the most legendary media character of the final century (of any gender). I’d LOVE to ask for her perception into the present journalism disaster, the fracturing of media credibility within the age of social media and what she would do to handle the present misinformation/disinformation disaster.
- Emilia (Bassano) Lanier. Was the actual writer of Shakespeare’s performs a girl? Particularly, was it Emilia Lanier? That is fringe concept in line with most Shakespearean students, however there’s some serious (and fun) speculation that it’s potential. So, I’d ask her: Did you? (In that case, I’d argue that she’s essentially the most influential content material creator within the historical past of the English language.)
Q: What are some hobbies you get pleasure from exterior of labor?
A: Studying, largely fiction (I’ve been on a classics kick over the previous yr); gardening (I develop and dry my very own herbs); needlework, particularly cross sew; and travelling – my jobs have taken me to wonderful locations in Europe and New Zealand, but additionally nations reminiscent of Afghanistan and El Salvador, which I doubtless wouldn’t have visited exterior work.
Q: Lastly, I heard that you simply and our mascot, Swoop, have been binge-watching some TV reveals collectively at his nest. What are your favorite reveals you’re tuning into proper now?
A: Swoop and I liked The White Lotus (though he was a bit rattled by the monkeys) and Severance, particularly the Out of doors Retreat and Workforce Constructing Incidence, which reminded him of his pure habitat and was about, you recognize, staff constructing. We’re now into Season 2 of The Final of Us and actually trying ahead to the ultimate season of You. We normally watch Final Week Tonight with John Oliver (liked the episode on Netherlands’ Fish Doorbell, particularly since we fell in love with Netherlands on Study Abroad final yr.)
