Media

Emma Fraser

Makeup, Murder, and Media Affects

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I’m a graduating Professional Communication student with a background in retail management and a real passion for storytelling. I’ve always been especially drawn to true crime, not just for the stories themselves, but for the way they shape how we see victims, perpetrators, and justice.

A lot of what I’m interested in comes down to how media influences the way we think about people, and how certain narratives can either reinforce stigma or challenge it. Through both my work experience and my studies, I’ve developed a strong people-first perspective that I bring into everything I do.

My capstone project reflects that, focusing on how storytelling can push for more thoughtful, empathetic conversations around complex social issues.

This qualitative inquiry explores why women are drawn to true crime media and how consuming it shapes their perceptions of safety, fear, and risk. True crime is widely popular among women, who often use it to process fear, learn about danger, and make sense of violence that disproportionately affects them.

The study involved semi-structured interviews with eight women aged 18–34, selected through purposive sampling to ensure participants regularly engage with true crime media. Participants shared their motivations, experiences, and reflections on how true crime influences their feelings about safety and danger.

Findings highlight a tension between fear and preparedness: some women view true crime as educational, helping them recognize warning signs and adopt safety strategies, while others report heightened anxiety or perceptions of danger. Many also describe lasting emotional connections to victims’ stories, showing how the genre evokes curiosity, empathy, and survival awareness.

This research contributes to broader discussions about media, gender, and risk, moving beyond “why women like true crime” to understanding what women actively gain and learn from engaging with these stories.

Lightning Talk

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More Projects

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Vanessa Woffenden

How Does Public Relations Shape the Reception of Book-to-Screen Adaptations?
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Parteek Kler

Weaponized Aesthetics: The Algorithmic Pipeline and Reality of Looksmaxxing
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Costas Sioumkas

Skip, Shuffle, Repeat: The Social, Economic, and Cultural Impact of Music Digitization
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