CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Summary
I am currently a Doctoral candidate in the Communications program at Concordia University, Montreal and in the process of preparing my dissertation on the representation of mental illness in video games. My coursework to date has focused heavily on marginalization in video games, technology accessibility, and player research methodologies.
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Outside my studies, I'm an active gamer, streamer, and content creator. I stream regularly on Twitch (at twitch.tv/aliceingames) and I am in charge of the channel's robust Discord community. I am also developing a video games-centric educational podcast to begin release February 2022. I have a passion for coding and some self-taught game development experience, having created two different small games, one for PC and one for Android. I do also have a small YouTube channel which is undergoing a content re-work at the moment, and plans for a TikTok, both to be associated with my Twitch stream.
As an MA student in the Media Studies program at Concordia University, my main areas of focus were the conceptualization of gender in video game alongside the development and interpretation of virtual identity. My Master's thesis, published in 2018, titled “It was just a prank, Han!”: Wendibros, Girlfriend Woes, and Gender Politics in Until Dawn, analyzed the way masculinity representation in the game Until Dawn intersects with race, trauma, and mental illness. My work was published in a book chapter titled "'You're a Hunter, Bro': Representations of Masculinity in Until Dawn' as part of the book Masculinities in Play as part of a trilogy of books discussing gender representation across video game spaces.
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Throughout my Master's and Doctoral studies, I have been extremely active in my university community, serving on several committees and representing student interests at all levels within the university. My current positions include Graduate Student Association representative for the Tribunal Office, the Graduate Education Council, and the Sexual Assault and Sexual Violence Policy Committee. I am also a delegate on the TRAC (Teaching and Research Assistants Collective union) Delegate Council. In the past, I have served on the Senate Research Committee, the School of Graduate Studies Council, the Arts and Sciences Faculty Council, and the Department of Communications in various capacities.
I am an experienced virtual world entrepreneur with the majority of my work being in Second Life. I ran a successful virtual fashion company in the latter half of my BA. I've since returned to the virtual space for my studies, experimenting with more complicated challenges including scripting and animations. My most recent projects have explored the creation, development, interpretation, and relationship to virtual identity.
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In 2007, I completed my BA at the University of Western Ontario in East Asian Studies, Japanese Language, and Visual Arts. I developed a passion for learning and new experiences leading to 3 professional certificates in PR & Communications, Conflict Resolution & Negotiation, and Leadership. After working full-time in the post-secondary education industry, I returned to university to complete a post-graduate diploma in Digital Communications where I discovered a love for game studies.
Technology
~ STREAMLABS, OBS, & STREAMELEMENTS
~ SECOND LIFE BUILDING
~ LSL SCRIPTS & SL ANIMATIONS
~ ADOBE SUITE (COMPLETE)
~ GAMEMAKER CODING
~ VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA
~ LIVECYCLE DESIGNER
~ WEBSITE & HTML CODING
BLOGGING & ANALYTICS
~ FINAL CUT PRO
~ ACROBAT PRO
Languages
ENGLISH - Fluent
FRENCH - Advanced
JAPANESE - Conversational
Soft Skills
~ CRITICAL THINKER
~ SELF-MOTIVATED
~ PROBLEM-SOLVER
~ OBSERVANT
~ COMMUNICATIVE
~ ORGANIZED
~ TEAM PLAYER & LEADER
~ CULTURALLY AWARE
Education
Ph.D. in Communications
Concordia University, 2018 - present
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Relevant Courses:
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Disability and Media Technologies
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Game Studies: Player Studies
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Media Technology as Practice
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Platforms, Media, and Management
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M.A. in Media Studies
Concordia University, 2015 - 2018
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Thesis: “It was just a prank, Han!”: Wendibros, Girlfriend Woes, and Gender Politics in Until Dawn (https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/983664/)
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Relevant Courses:
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Communication Theory
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Cultures of Production & Productions of Culture
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Digital Games: Theory & Research
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Environment for Change
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Interpretative Methods in Media
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Media Research Methods
Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Communications
Western University, 2012 - 2015
Relevant Courses:
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Digital Communications 2001B: Social Media
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Digital Communications 2002B: Virtual Worlds
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Digital Communications 3205F: Net-Work - Digital Labour
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Digital Communications 3207B: Design of Digital Cognitive Games
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Digital Communications 3210G: Virtual Worlds - Theory & Practice
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MIT 2371F: Cyber-Life - Communications in the Digital Age
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MIT 3371G: Game On! Video Game Culture
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MIT 3373F: Social Media & Organizations
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MIT 4010E: Theories of Representation in Game & Non-Game Virtual Worlds
B.A., East Asia Studies, Japanese, Visual Arts
With Distinction, Western University, ​2003 - 2007
​Relevant Courses
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MIT 270A: Introduction to Graphic Design
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Philosophy 21: Logic and Critical Thinking
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Visual Arts Studis 250: Introduction to Contemporary Media
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Visual Arts Studis 352A: Time-Based Production - Digital Video
Work​
Experience​
Concordia University
Research Assitant 2015 - present
Teaching Assistant 2015 - present
Instructor 2020 - 2021
Workshop Facilitator 2016
Western University
Academic Programs Coordinator 2013 - 2015
Graduate Program Assistant ​2010 - 2013
Undergraduate Program Assistant 2008 - 2010
Administrative Assistant ​2006 - 2008
Assistant Supervisor ​2007 - 2008
Food Services Associate 2003 - 2007
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Giant Tiger
Sales Associate ​2004 - 2005
Published Works
Books
Waldie, R. (2018). “It was just a prank, Han!”: Wendibros, Girlfriend Woes, and Gender Politics in Until Dawn. Master's thesis, Concordia University (https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/983664/).
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Book Chapters
Waldie, R. and Alex Louie. (2020). “Freakiness in Overwatch.” Paper accepted in Press Start: Digital Heroisms Special Issue. Draft submitted.
Waldie, R. (2018). “’You’re a Hunter, Bro’: Representations of Masculinity in Until Dawn.” Chapter in Masculinities in Play. Eds. Nick Taylor and Gerald Voorhees. Print: Palgrave MacMillan.
Professional
Development
Professional Certificate in Leadership
Continuing Studies @ Western, 2013 - 2015
Relevant courses:
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The Effective Leader
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Motivation for Superior Performance
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Emotional Intelligence
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Optimizing Change
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Gender and Age Diversity in Leadership
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Enacting Theories of Leadership
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Strategic Leadership
Leadership Education Program
Western University, 2014 - present
Tier 1: Individual Leadership, Spring 2014
Tier 2: Group Leadership, Fall 2014
Relevant Courses:
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Advanced Conflict Management
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Diversity
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Effective Arguments & Critical Thinking
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Own Your Message
Professional Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Negotiation Stream
Continuing Studies @ Western, 2010 - 2013
​Relevant Courses:
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Asserting Yourself Under Pressure
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Communicating in Conflict
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Facilitation Processes: Building Consensus & Creating Enagement
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Negotiation Skills & Processes
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Non-Neutral Mediation
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Resolving Workplace Conflict
Professional Certificate in Communications & Public Relations
Continuing Studies @ Western, 2010 - 2011
Relvant Courses:
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Leadership & Communication
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Media Relations
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Social Media Strategy
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Video 101
Presentations
Recent Work (2018 - Present)
Waldie, R. (2021). “(Dis)Ability on (Dis)Play.” Paper presented at Canadian Game Studies Association Conference, University of Alberta, Virtual, June 1.
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Waldie, R. and Alex Louie. (2020). “Freakiness in Overwatch.” Paper accepted at Digital Heroisms Conference, University of Glasgow, Virtual, August 5.
Waldie, R. and Alex Louie. (2020). “Freakiness in Overwatch.” Paper accepted at Canadian Game Studies Association Conference, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, June 3-5. Cancelled.
Waldie, R. (2020). “"The Horror of the Other: Indigenous Monstrosity in Until Dawn." Paper accepted at 2020 Popular Culture Association of Canada Conference, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, May 7-9. Cancelled.
Waldie, R. (2019). “Presentation Accessibility”. Communications 205. Course Lecture. Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. October 15.
Waldie, R. (2019). “The Protector vs. The Psycho-Killer: Masculinity and Mental Illness in Until Dawn”. Digital Games Research Association Annual Conference, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan, August 9.
Waldie, R. (2019). “The Horror of the Other: Indigenous Monstrosity in Until Dawn”. Canadian Game Studies Association Conference, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, June 4-June 7.
Waldie, R. (2019). “The Protector vs. The Psycho-Killer: Masculinity and Mental Illness in Until Dawn”. School of Media Studies Annual Common Ground Conference, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, March 29.
Waldie, R. (2019). “Presentation Accessibility”. Communications 205. Course Lecture. Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. February 19.
Waldie, R. (2018). “Presentation Accessibility”. Communications 205. Course Lecture. Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec. October 9.
Waldie, R. (2018). “The Protector vs. The Psycho-Killer: An Intersectional Exploration of Masculinity and Mental Illness in Until Dawn”. Society of Cinema and Media Studies, Toronto, Ontario, March 14-18.
Previous Work (Prior to 2018)
Waldie, R. (2017). “Virtual Identity Tourism in Second Life”. International Visual Sociology Association, Concordia University, Montréal, Quebec June 19-22.
Waldie, R. (2017). “Interpreting Identity in Virtual Spaces: A Constructed Space”. International Visual Sociology Association, Concordia University, Montréal, Quebec, June 19-22.
Waldie, R. (2017). “Masculinity and Mental Illness in Horror Video Games”. Canadian Game Studies Association Conference, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario May 31-June 3.
Waldie, R. (2017). “The Protector vs the Psycho-Killer: Intersections of Masculinity and Mental Illness”. Carleton Graduate Caucus: Intersections, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, March 16-17.
Waldie, R. (2016). “The Hyper-Sexualization of Women in World of Warcraft”. Paper presented at International Communication Association 66th Annual Conference, Fukuoka, Japan, June 9-13.
Waldie, R. (2016). “Universe of Governance”. Game demonstration at 10th Anniversary Conference of Canadian Game Studies Association, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, June 1-3.
Waldie, R. (2016). “Identity Play and Virtual Identity Tourism”. Paper presented at 10th Anniversary Conference of Canadian Game Studies Association, Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, June 1-3.
Waldie, R. (2016). “Universe of Governance”. Game demonstration at Popular Culture Association of Canada 6th Annual Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, May 12-14.
Waldie, R. (2016). “Playing with Virtual Identity”. Paper presented at Popular Culture Association of Canada 6th Annual Conference, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, May 12-14.
Waldie, R. (2016). “Virtual Identity Play in Second Life”. Paper presented at Carleton Graduate Caucus: Play/Rewind, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, March 3-4.
Waldie, R. (2015). “Hyper-Sexualization: Women in World of Warcraft”. Paper presented at Western Student Research Conference, Western University, London, Ontario, March 21.
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Awarded Best Oral Presentation.
Waldie, R. (2014). “Women and Sexualization: A Study of Female Characters in World of Warcraft”. Paper presented at Flaunting It! 10 Undergraduate Conference on Gender and Sexuality, Western University, London, Ontario, March 21.