Emma Brandt

Educator, writer, and researcher.

Greater Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo Metropolitan Area

About

AMTD Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Waterloo conducting research on media consumption, trust, and digital practices among Serbian youth. Extensive experience in qualitative approaches, including ethnography and digital methods, as well as writing for varied audiences. Other research interests include Gen Z, belief, nationalism, literature, fake news, alternative health movements, and conspiracy theories.

Experience

  • AMTD Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Waterloo
    Sep 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

    Leading research on media and politics, critical information literacy, and alternative health movements online; teaching interview methods to students in Communication Arts.

  • Northwestern University (6 yrs)
    • PI, Digital Media Consumption Habits of Serbian Youth
      Jun 2019 - Aug 2024 · 5 yrs 3 mos

      Led all research to understand Serbian youth media habits, illustrating how political contexts and institutional trust shape engagement with online news and social media at micro and meso levels. Designed study using ethnographic and digital methods (including 70+ interviews), observation, and digital walkthroughs. Analysis located present-day media consumption in political histories of Serbia, demonstrating key role of institutional distrust and systemic critique. Findings presented in a long-form paper awarded a department prize, talks at two conferences, and an academic journal article currently under peer review.

    • PHD Student
      Sep 2018 - Aug 2024 · 6 yrs

      Served as Teaching Assistant for Social Inequality, Sociological Analysis, Guns in the United States, Global Capitalism, and Medical Sociology. Evaluated and mentored approximately fifty students per term, earning high marks on teaching evaluations. Awards include Fulbright Fellowship, Winch Prize for Best Second-Year Paper, NSF GRFP Honorable Mention. Served as Graduate Student Representative to the Northwestern REEES (Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies) Steering Committee (2021-22) and Sociology Social Committee Co-Chair (2018-19).

    • Co-PI, Serbia, Nationalism, and "Tarnished" Reputations
      Jun 2021 - Sep 2021 · 4 mos

      Led research on how “problematic” nations attempt to change their national branding on a global stage. Designed research study using media analysis methodology. Findings published in a peer-reviewed international journal of sociology as part of a symposium on the study of reputation.

  • Contributing Social Media Editor at The MPI Group
    Sep 2016 - Jun 2018 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Managed social media accounts for two companies, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Coordinated creation, editing, and publication of 5 blogs monthly, working in-depth with writers of four blogs while authoring one blog. Developed and executed social media and marketing plans for both companies.

  • English Language Instructor at University of Kragujevac
    Sep 2016 - Jun 2017 · 10 mos

    Taught 10 college English classes weekly at the University of Kragujevac, Serbia. Responsibilities included curriculum planning, student evaluation, and English-language mentorship. As the faculty's only native speaker of English, promoted cultural exchange and served as a resource on topics related to the English-speaking world.

  • Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at University of Kragujevac
    Oct 2015 - Jun 2016 · 9 mos

    Planned curriculum for, taught, and evaluated 10 college English classes at the University of Kragujevac, Serbia. Skills taught include conversation, writing, and reading comprehension. Promoted cultural exchange in the community through organizations like the American Corner and served as a general resource on the English language and American culture.