Julianna Kowlessar

Julianna Kowlessar is a PhD candidate in the Joint Graduate Program in Communication & Culture at York and Toronto Metropolitan Universities. She is an interdisciplinarian with Honours degrees in Psychology (BSc) and Communication Studies (BA), summa cum laude, and an MA in Communication & Culture from York University.

Julianna’s research examines strategies to enhance critical media literacy education for Canadian youth through innovative pedagogical approaches, including games and other forms of media. As a 2025–2026 doctoral fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s (CIGI) Digital Policy Hub, Julianna analyzes the history of media literacy education in Canada to identify gaps and opportunities for national expansion.

Beyond academia, Julianna has held strategic volunteer leadership roles in the education and health sectors. An electric guitarist, she also serves as a Board Director at United Music Canada, supporting projects that deepen Canadians’ engagement in music-based initiatives for social change.