Editorial Team

Maria Bakardjieva PhD. Editor-in-Chief

Dr. Maria Bakardjieva is a professor and the current Chair in Communication and Media Studies at the University of Calgary, Canada. Her research examines the social construction of communication technologies and the use of digital media in various cultural and practical contexts with a focus on user agency, critical reflexivity and emancipation. She has numerous publications in leading journals and influential anthologies. The books she has authored and co-edited include Internet Society: The Internet in Everyday Life (2005), Socialbots and Their Friends: Digital Media and the Automation of Sociality (2017), Digital Media and the Dynamics of Civil Society: Retooling Citizenship in New European Democracies (2021), and How Canadians Communicate (2004 and 2007). Between 2010 and 2013, she served as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. Her current projects investigate the role digital media play in citizen engagement and democratic participation. Dr. Bakardjieva teaches courses in communication theory and research methodology, communication technology and society, digital media and democracy. She works to promote undergraduate research activities in Communication and Media Studies and engages in knowledge mobilization and community outreach intended to advance the public understanding of issues related to Communication and Media Studies.

Skye Baxter, Managing Editor

Skye Baxter (she/her) is currently in her fourth year of a combined degree, studying Communications, Political Science, and Statistics. In 2023, she was awarded the PURE Research Grant from the University of Calgary to conduct a political critical discourse analysis, which sparked her love of research and academic writing. Having worked as the Managing Editor of the Motley Journal for over a year now, Skye has completely fallen in love with the editorial process and is thrilled that her days are filled with words. She spends most of her spare time reading or talking about the continued relevance of Shakespeare. With a special interest in political communication, feminist media studies, rhetorical analysis, the politics of representation, and literary studies, Skye takes a great interest in understanding the role that communication plays in social identity and collective discourse. She eventually hopes to pursue a career that combines her passion for writing, research, and community involvement.

The Motley Team grows and changes every year! For a full list of editorial contributors, please refer to the Meet the Editorial Team section of each respective issue.