A research project being led by CSSLRV Research Associate, Dr. Jordan Fairbairn, has received $191,096 from the SSHRC Insight program to examine media coverage of intimate femicide in Canada. Fairbairn, who is also an Assistant Professor of Sociology at King’s College Western University, will be working with Sociology professor and CSSLRV Director, Myrna Dawson, and Professor Yasmin Jiwani, Concordia University. Together, the team will explore Canadian news coverage of the killings of women by current or former partners from 2010-2024, focusing specifically on how media frame these killings and whether their representations vary by ethnic and/or cultural backgrounds of those involved. Previous research by team members has shown that news coverage is an important opportunity to help educate and increase awareness about violence against women, but sometimes social change may be hindered by harmful reporting patterns. The team will also work with Canadian journalists to identify ways to improve upon, and address, current media coverage related to femicide.
