Paula Gardner

Paula Gardner is a Professor and Asper Chair in Communications at McMaster University's Faculty of Communication Studies and Media Arts, where she directs Pulse Lab. Her work combines critical feminist media scholarship with participatory design methods to develop technology practices for aging populations and disability-informed multimodal platforms.

• Key projects: ABLE (health-enhancing platform), MAC M3 (mobility monitoring), ABLE Village, and Check-In BIPOC Podcast Series

Her research spans Human-Computer Interaction, Gerontology, Science and Technology Studies, and Disability Studies, focusing on assistive technology and social equity. Recent publications analyze racial economies of activity tracking, dementia-friendly communities, and ethics in human-machine communication.

Gardner's projects often involve SSHRC funding and partnerships with institutions like Baycrest Geriatric Hospital. She teaches courses including Communication Research Methods and Feminism, Technology, and Science, and has advised graduate students like Stephen Surlin. Her work emphasizes community-driven collaboration and transdisciplinary innovation.