Media Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)



Meet Chandell Gosse, PhD candidate in Media Studies

“The faculty at Western are very encouraging. I have a great relationship with my professors, and this had led to interesting opportunities through the Media Studies program”

Supervisor: Jacquelyn Burkell

Why did you come to Western for your graduate degree?
Western has a reputation for having a strong research agenda. That, in combination with the expertise of faculty in the Media Studies program and the wide ranges of interests that they cover, made Western a very compelling option.

Where is “home” for you?
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Describe your research.
Current research shows that women experience online abuse at higher rates than men. For my doctoral research I ask the question, how do Canadian women and girls respond to cybermisogyny? A foundational principle behind this research includes recognizing that the gap between online life and offline life is closing, thus, we need to understand and protect women’s rights online as we do offline.

Where’s your favourite place on campus?
I prefer quiet, smaller spaces to study, so I applied for a carol in the Weldon library – it is spacious, close to resources I require, and best of all has a large window with a great view. If I’m feeling more social I will work in the Grad Club.

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
I have an amazing cohort, and that students in other years have also been an incredible, and accessible, resource. A strong sense of community goes a long while working towards a PhD.

What’s your favourite book?
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

What idea would you like to share with the Western graduate community?
I encourage you to talk to someone outside of your field about your research. More interdisciplinary conversations are something the 21st century needs.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Shelley Long (slong@uwo.ca)
Graduate Programs Assistant

Faculty of Information and Media Studies

Western University
FIMS and Nursing Building, Room 2020
London, Ontario N6A 5B7

t. 519-661-4017
f. 519-661-3506

The program is designed to give students a thorough grounding in the key issues, texts, traditions and debates within media studies, the program develops critical approaches to the articulation and reproduction of social power via media.  The focus is on media, broadly defined, through an overlapping and kaleidoscopic interplay of culture, industry and technology.  Students will be encouraged to explore both the individual facets and their intellectual crossroads and interstices. 


The Own Your Future doctoral professional development program will help you become a career-ready graduate with the skills necessary to excel in your studies and achieve your future goals. By participating in the program, you will assess your own strengths and opportunities for growth, choose what skills you want to enhance during your time at Western, and learn how to articulate the skills you gained in your degree to optimize your future career opportunities. To learn more, visit www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture.

Program Length

  • 12 Terms

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Thesis-based

Funding Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree in Media Studies, Communication or a related field appropriate to the interdisciplinary strength of the program.
  • Minimum 78% overall average in the last degree.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

Application Deadline

  • January 15 - Acceptance notification from mid March to late April