معرفی
Noorin Manji is an Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, holding positions in Arts First, Global Business and Digital Arts (at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business), and Sociology & Legal Studies. She teaches courses on digital culture, technology and society, cannabis culture, and classical sociological theory, and has received the University of Waterloo's 2025 Faculty of Arts Excellence in Teaching Award for her exceptional instruction.
Dr. Manji earned her educational credentials from McMaster University and the University of Waterloo:
- Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Waterloo (2018)
- M.A. in Sociology, McMaster University (2010)
- Hon. B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, McMaster University (2009)
Her research interests focus on the intersection of digital technology and human relationships, with particular expertise in smartphone use in committed relationships, digital culture, and social theory. Her methodological approach emphasizes qualitative research, drawing from theoretical frameworks including social constructionism, symbolic interactionism, and social psychology. Dr. Manji has developed innovative courses that bridge her research with teaching, including 'Mobile Technology & Society' and 'Cannabis Culture,' both of which have received exceptional student evaluations averaging over 4.7/5 across multiple terms.
Dr. Manji's scholarly work demonstrates consistent exploration of technology's impact on social relationships and identity formation. Her publications and research projects reveal a trajectory from tobacco control studies to digital culture research, culminating in her 2022 book chapter examining how smartphones affect committed relationships through an intersectional lens.
Dr. Manji has been recognized with several honors, most notably the University of Waterloo's 2025 Faculty of Arts Excellence in Teaching Award. She also received an Undergraduate Student Research Award worth $6,000 in 2009 for her project 'Idealizing the Idol: Celebrity Culture and Identity Construction in the West.'
As an academic and entrepreneur, Dr. Manji co-founded and runs Love of Language (LOL), a comprehensive language arts program for students in grades 5-12. She has mentored numerous students through both formal university channels and her business, focusing particularly on communication skills development and entrepreneurial thinking. Her research has been supported by grants including the New Frontiers in Research Digital Educator Study, where she serves on the Early Career Researcher Advisory Committee as a consultant on qualitative research methods and digital culture.
Dr. Manji is actively involved in university service, serving on committees including the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Curriculum Committee, and Annual Performance Review Committee. She also participates in program recruitment efforts and student experience analytics initiatives, contributing significantly to the development of academic programs at the University of Waterloo.
