Dr. Aparajita Bhandari

Biography

Aparajita Bhandari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of Waterloo. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Toronto, where she also studied Statistics and Buddhism. This diverse background led her to pursue a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Communication at Cornell University, culminating in her appointment to the Department of English. Bhandari's research resides at the intersection of critical internet studies, feminist media studies, and cultural theory, with a focus on understanding the implications of technology on society. She engages in critical examinations of digital platforms and their everyday influences, exploring potential sites of resistance against hegemonic power structures through her work. Bhandari is particularly passionate about ethical research practices and developing community-engaged participatory research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Her current endeavors include examining the role of algorithms and datafication in identity formation and self-expression in online spaces, alongside collaborative projects investigating feminist pedagogical approaches in digital contexts.

Research Interests