June 10, 2023 – 2:00-3pm PDT – Zoom

On June 10th, Spheres Of Influence is hosting an online workshop on Muslim Representation in Western Media. The workshop will feature Sabah Ghouse, a MA student at SFU studying Equity Studies in Education. Her research primarily centres on hate crimes and violence against religious minorities, with a concentration in Islamophobia. Ghouse will analyze the representation of Muslims in “Western” media and examine the impact of the varying representations and how to critically assess the media we consume.

May 06, 2023 – 2:00-3pm PDT – Zoom

Join us for an online workshop entitled Around the World with Spheres, where three of our journalists will be presenting articles they have written about different issues in North America, drawing attention to critical, underreported human rights and social justice issues in this part of the world. The event aims to highlight the articles we publish at Spheres of Influence, aiming to further amplify the voices of our writers and continue explaining and unpacking global affairs in an accessible and engaging way.

September 10, 2022 – 2:00-3pm PDT – Zoom

On September 10th, Spheres Of Influence is hosting an online workshop on mental health in journalism. The workshop will feature Dr. Saranaz Barforoush, a journalist and an assistant professor of teaching at UBC School of Journalism, and will discuss the effect of journalism on the mental health of reporters and the important strategies journalists should use.

April 23, 2022 – 2:00-3pm PDT – Zoom

Join us for a workshop and discussion with Canadian journalist Luke Savage on his upcoming book “The Dead Center: Reflections of Liberalism and Democracy after the End of History”. This workshop looks to explore the impact of neoliberalism on discourse and reporting in today’s political landscape, and how young journalists can navigate around it and push media into different more progressive directions.

Feb 26, 2022 – 2:00-3:30pm PST – Zoom

Workshop led by international journalists Yumna Patel and Alex Boyd on navigating “Privilege, Ethics, and Sensitivity in Global Reporting.” The panel will discuss the issues journalists face in the newsroom when reporting on politicized contexts of oppression and the individual reflexivity that goes into writing before opening up the floor to the audience for a Q&A. This event seeks to equip writers and journalists with an understanding of reporting.

Jan 27, 2022 – 5:00-6:30pm PST – Zoom

Hosting a virtual art gallery and panel discussion. In this event, we will be featuring the works of some incredible Indigenous artists from across the globe: Mariyeh Mushtaq, Lee Gavin, Elizabeth Swanson Andi, and Jearica Fountain, whose biographies we have included below. Through illustrations, photography, and comics, the artists convey powerful statements about climate change, resistance, and sovereignty. The event will conclude with a discussion session and Q&A.

August 5, 2021 – 5:00-6:00pm PDT – Zoom

Spheres of Influence is partnering with the UBC Middle East Studies Students Association and UBC Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights to host the event Media Representations of Palestine. The event will take place on August 5th, 2021 from 5-6 pm PDT on Zoom. We are looking forward to welcoming a panel of prominent Palestinian journalists, academics, and activists, who will share their rich insights, experiences, and perspectives. The event will begin with an overview, followed by a panel discussion on important issues of misinformation, bias, and underrepresentation.