Dr. Rena Bivens

Biography

Rena Bivens is an Associate Professor at Carleton University in the School of Journalism and Communication. She received her PhD from the University of Glasgow in 2008 and has a rich academic background, having worked with the Glasgow Media Group. Before joining Carleton University, Bivens held a position as a Lecturer in Digital Media and Mass Communication at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, and was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow. Her current research interests revolve around the intersection of lesbian media history, queer theory, and trans studies. She is working on a book project that examines how media constructs identities and has contributed significantly to discussions on media design, technologies, and their socio-political implications. Bivens has published numerous articles in reputable journals, exploring topics such as algorithmic amplification, media representation, and the effects of design practices on gender norms. Her work has appeared in platforms such as the Canadian Journal of Communication and the Journal of Digital Social Research. Bivens continues to engage in scholarly activities, including method development in analyzing app ideologies, highlighting sexual violence in media, and advocating for feminist approaches in digital platforms.

Research Interests