معرفی
Tara Mahoney is a research and engagement coordinator and postdoctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University's Community-Engaged Research initiative (CERi) within the School of Communication. Her work focuses on making public participation in academic research more accessible to diverse communities, with particular emphasis on youth engagement in political institutions through partnerships with organizations like Apathy is Boring.
Dr. Mahoney earned her PhD in Communication from Simon Fraser University (2013-2019), with a dissertation titled 'Leveraging Neoliberalism: Participatory Politics in Canada' supervised by Dr. Stuart Poyntz. She completed her Master of Arts in Media Production at Ryerson University (2008-2009), where she directed the documentary 'Forgive' about seeking Vatican apology for Indian Residential Schools, and her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at the University of Calgary (2001-2006).
Her research centers on participatory politics, civic engagement, youth-led social movements, and digital media culture. Dr. Mahoney explores how community-engaged research can support young people in engaging with political institutions through youth-focused programs. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications for democratic innovation and climate action strategies, emphasizing the role of creativity in political engagement and community collaboration.
Dr. Mahoney's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on the intersection of digital media, participatory politics, and community engagement across more than a decade of research. Her work spans from analyzing the 2015 Canadian Federal Election to exploring telecommunications policy and climate action strategies for millennials, with a recurring theme of how creative approaches can foster political engagement and democratic innovation while addressing systemic challenges.
- 2019 CRTC Prize for Excellence in Policy Research for 'Collective Grist: Hacking Telecommunications Policy in Canada'
Through her partnership with Apathy is Boring, Dr. Mahoney is developing youth-focused run-for-office programs and policy development initiatives that translate academic insights into practical tools for political engagement. Her Community Resource Handbook provides concrete frameworks for researchers and community organizations working together, emphasizing accessibility and mutual benefit in collaborative research processes.
Dr. Mahoney is actively involved in the Community-Engaged Research initiative (CERi) at SFU, which serves as a hub for collaborative research between the university and diverse communities. Her work emphasizes making academic research accessible and relevant to community needs while fostering meaningful civic participation, particularly among young people, and addressing contemporary challenges like climate change through innovative engagement strategies.
