Sharon Lauricella

Dr. Sharon Lauricella is a Professor in the Department of Communication and Digital Media Studies at Ontario Tech University, part of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. Her research focuses on student mental health, feminist digital identities, and pedagogical innovation. She has received multiple teaching awards, including two Ontario Tech University Teaching Awards and two Faculty of Social Science and Humanities Teaching Awards. She holds a PhD from Cambridge University, an undergraduate degree from institutions in Boston and Edinburgh, and a Harvard University certificate in Higher Education Teaching.

Dr. Lauricella’s work bridges scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) with digital identity studies. Her recent book Ludic Pedagogy: A Seriously Fun Way to Teach and Learn explores playful educational strategies. She leads a SSHRC-funded project investigating student mental health representation in news and social media. Her research has been published in journals such as Women’s Studies in Communication and Journal of Communication Pedagogy.

She teaches courses on communication ethics, public speaking, and nonviolent communication. Her presentations span topics like ungrading practices, edtech tools (e.g., Perusall, Mote), and feminist humor’s role in activism. She also engages in global yoga practice and mountain climbing, reflecting her commitment to holistic well-being.