Katja Lee

Dr. Katja Lee is a Lecturer in Media and Communication and Course Coordinator of the Master of Strategic Communication program at The University of Western Australia's School of Social Sciences. Her research examines self-representation through media across historical periods, with particular focus on women's public storytelling from early twentieth-century magazine articles to contemporary social media platforms.

Education:

• SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow: Simon Fraser University (2015-2017)
• PhD, McMaster University (2015)
• J'explore French Language Program, Université Laval (2011)
• MA, University of British Columbia (2003)
• BA (Honours), Simon Fraser University (2001)

Her research centers on celebrity culture and women's life writing across media forms, investigating how technological and cultural conditions shape women's public self-representation. Current projects include examining life stories of women in Australia's mining and resources sector, while her past work established foundational analysis of celebrity autobiography through her monograph Limelight. Her scholarship bridges persona studies, life writing, and digital media theory with strong emphasis on gendered experiences.

Lee's publication portfolio reveals consistent thematic focus on persona construction and autobiographical practices, with increasing attention to Australian contexts in recent years. Her work demonstrates interdisciplinary methodology connecting historical analysis with contemporary digital culture, particularly examining how women navigate public representation across different media ecosystems. The research shows strong engagement with Canadian cultural history evolving toward Australian resource sector narratives.

Scientific Awards:

• Shortlisted for the Gabrielle Roy Prize (2020) for Limelight
• Recipient of 2024 UWA Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
• Seven-year tenure as Managing Editor of Persona Studies

Dr. Lee actively supervises PhD and higher degree research students in women's fame, life writing across media, and representation strategies in the mining sector. Her GenAI literacy framework development demonstrates commitment to innovative pedagogy, particularly in first-year curriculum design. While specific grant details aren't provided, her SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship indicates competitive research funding success. Her teaching portfolio spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels with courses including COMM1001, COMM1002, COMM3004, and COMM5701.

Though no formal lab structure is mentioned, Lee's research approach integrates creative methodologies and industry-aligned assessment design. Her current work on women in mining represents a significant pivot toward Australian resource sector narratives, building on her established expertise in life writing and persona studies while developing new collaborative frameworks with industry partners.