Saranaz Barforoush

Saranaz Barforoush is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Teaching at the University of British Columbia's School of Journalism, Writing, and Media, located within the Faculty of Arts. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland (2017), an M.A. in Cultural Studies and Media from the University of Tehran (2008), and an M.Sc. from Southern Illinois University (2011). Her research focuses on foreign affairs, international reporting ethics, political communication, and the impact of new media technology on journalism, particularly in the context of immigrant communities and framing studies.

• Educational Background:
• Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2017 (Dissertation: “The Dictator & The Charmer: U.S News Media Coverage of Chinese and Iranian Leaders”)
• M.Sc., Southern Illinois University, 2011 (Thesis on Persian TV channels)
• M.A., University of Tehran, 2008 (Social effects of Iranian cinema)
• B.A. in Journalism, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Iran

Teaching: She teaches courses such as JRNL 100A (New Media and Society), JRNL 520A (Decoding Social Media), and Media Ethics & Leadership. Her courses emphasize digital literacy, multimedia storytelling, and the evolving role of journalism in social change movements.

Research Interests: Dr. Barforoush’s work explores global news reporting ethics, the influence of technology on media narratives, and the representation of marginalized communities. Her decade-long career as a reporter and translator in Tehran provided foundational insights into women’s issues, arts, and cultural dynamics in media.

Affiliations: She is affiliated with the Bachelor of Media Studies program and contributes to the Coordinated Arts Program. Her office is located in Sing Tao 206.