In conversation with Professor Lori Beckstead

The Podcast Studies Podcast

Dario met Lori Beckstead when they both delivered keynote lectures at the Podcasting Poetics Conference in Mainz, Germany last year (and a lifetime ago). They immediately shared an interest in exploring the potential of podcasting within an academic context. In this episode, they explore this topic in detail by differentiating between podcasting as an object of study and podcasting as a tool for academic research. The context of this is a project that Lori is undertaking which explores the potential for podcasting to be utilised for academic peer review in a way that is more developmentally useful to the research process. In a trial session held last week, Dario acted as the peer reviewer to Lori's research on what she calls the 'genetic codes' of podcasting. They reflect on that session as well as discussing many of the key issues that pervade current thinking on sound communication. Dario and Lori are joined by her research assistants Valentina Passos Gastaldo and Anna Ashitey who give their insights into some of the current trends with regards to the use and status of podcasting pedagogy and research in the context of digital culture.

Show Notes

Lori Beckstead is a professor of audio & digital media in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University, where she teaches courses in radio production, sound design, and digital media production. Also a sound artist, she has a particular interest in soundscape recording and interactive installation art. Lori spent ten years in hardscrabble yet rewarding work at several campus & community radio stations around Ontario, and has done freelance work for CBC Radio as a producer, online journalist, web producer and reporter. In addition to holding three undergraduate degrees--in Science, Radio & Television Arts, and Education--she also has a Master of Media Arts & Production from the University of Technology, Sydney (Australia). As Program Leader for the Canadian Women in Communications/Corus Career Accelerator from 2009 to 2012, Lori developed and delivered an intensive professional development program in digital media and technology for women across Canada each year. Lori served as Associate Chair in the RTA School of Media from 2010 to 2014. Twitter: @lbeckste

Valentina Passos Gastaldo is a fourth-year Media Production undergraduate student at Ryerson University. She is Lori's Beckstead research assistant for the 'Podcasting as Open Peer Review' project and she hopes to focus her studies on the use of media for knowledge mobilization and research dissemination.

Anna Ashitey is currently in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Media Production in the RTA School of Media at Ryerson University. As a research assistant, Anna has worked alongside Lori Beckstead on research projects pertaining to Podcasting, Women in Radio and Diversity in Sewing Patterns. Anna hopes to further her academic career by completing her masters in research pertaining to podcasting as an education tool for children with learning accommodations.

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