Hope and Despair: How Emotions Motivate Journalists and Social Movement Leaders
CMCE Invited Speaker Series
Centre for Media Culture and Education
Presents
Hope and Despair: How Emotions Motivate Journalists and Social Movement Leaders
Join us for lunch and a lively conversation with:
Hoda Gharib, PhD candidate, Social Justice Education
“Keep the flame of hope burning” – we are often told in times of despair and unrelenting oppression. A sincere and wise suggestion, for without hope, we fall into apathy or despair, and in these is a risk of passivity or stagnation. So, what induces hope, and what keeps it alive? Historically, hope has not received the scholarly attention it deserves, with some scholars arguing this may be because we have taken it for granted. In this talk, I discuss the role hope played in the activism journeys of 16 organisers working in Indigenous and/or Palestinian solidarity contexts. I show how historical and contemporary examples of resistance and activism, successes (big or small), being part of a healthy, productive community, solidarity, practicing or envisioning a liberated future, engaging in activism, and faith can maintain hope, and in turn, action against injustice.
Dr. Gordon Katic, recent graduate, Social Justice Education
In the so-called post-truth era, significant portions of the public challenge the epistemic authority of scientists, experts, and the journalists who cover them. Through interviews with 32 journalists, my doctoral research investigated how journalists make sense of these challenging dynamics. In this talk, I will focus especially on the emotions that journalists feel when covering contentious scientific topics. I found that many felt exasperated, seeing themselves as almost powerless in the face of anti-expert populism. How might journalists overcome these feelings of despair and contribute towards building a more healthy public discourse?
🔗 Registration:
Please in advance if you wish to have lunch provided
📅 May 27, 2026
🕔 12 - 1:30 p.m.
📍252 Bloor St West, Room 12-252
¥,
University of Toronto
Toronto ON M5S 1V6
About the speakers
Hoda Gharib
Hoda Gharib is a PhD candidate in the Department of Social Justice Education. Her research examines the psychosocial factors that mobilise, maintain, or terminate movement participation, with a particular focus on the emotions involved in these processes. She is also a student advisor at the OISE Student Success Center and a research consultant.
Gordon Katic
Dr. Gordon Katic recently completed his Ph.D. from the Department of Social Justice Education. His research examines how science, health, and environmental journalists understand and respond to public distrust of expertise. He is also director of , which produces award-winning audio documentaries.