About the Journal
The Motley Undergraduate Journal operates out of The University of Calgary and aims to feature student work that displays excellence in research, analysis or creative production concerning the topic of Communication, Media or Film Studies from any post secondary institution in Canada. We welcome work from other departments as long as it maintains a communication, media, and film studies focus. The Motley Undergraduate Journal is devoted to reflecting the diversity of communication and multimedia studies and will represent a breadth of student work on various topics. We are looking for clarity, effective writing, strong theoretical foundations, original research, and insightful analysis. The Motley Undergraduate Journal is produced in partnership between undergraduate students and the Department of Communication, Media and Film at the University of Calgary.
Current Issue
The Motley Undergraduate Journal proudly presents its Spring 2026 issue: a vibrant collection of creative scholarship, critical inquiry, and diverse voices from across Canada. As an interdisciplinary publication rooted in the Department of Communication, Media, and Film, Motley continues its commitment to showcasing the power of words, images, and ideas to question, challenge, and connect.
This issue explores the many ways communication shapes our shared world, from the ways in which media represents systems of inequality and oppression to how media users fight against such systems. Each piece invites readers to consider how storytelling, research, and creative expression intertwine to illuminate both personal and collective experience. Our contributors approach their subjects with curiosity and courage. Together, they remind us that scholarship is not confined to one form or voice, but thrives through multiplicity and collaboration.