Identity

Maanya Kohli

Performing Belonging: How Gen Z Uses Instagram to Communicate Social Connection

A close-up headshot of a young woman with warm brown skin, dark hair pulled back, and a soft, friendly smile. She wears round, brown-rimmed glasses, gold hoop earrings, and a delicate gold chain necklace with a small heart pendant over a black halter top. Her lips are glossy with a reddish tint, and the background is softly blurred.

Hi, I’m Maanya, a Professional Communications student at TMU who’s fascinated by how social media shapes the way we connect, express ourselves, and make meaning out of everyday life. I’m into all things creative including music, film, pop culture and I spend a lot of time being (very intentionally) chronically online. I’m also a huge foodie, so if I’m not consuming media, I’m probably cooking, baking, or thinking about my next meal.

This project looks at how Gen Z uses Instagram to show and shape belonging. Instead of focusing on how people present themselves, it explores how connection, friendship, and shared experiences are communicated through posts. By analysing images, captions, and everyday content like photo dumps, the research shows how belonging is not just experienced, but actively constructed. It reveals how social media plays a powerful role in shaping what belonging looks like and how we understand connection in everyday life.

Lightning Talk

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A close-up portrait of a fair-skinned young man with messy, light brown hair, bright blue eyes, and a light brown stubble beard and mustache. He wears a dark charcoal-colored textured zip-up sweater with a gold-colored zipper over a white t-shirt. He is smiling gently, and the background is a softly blurred mix of light and dark tones, suggesting an indoor setting.

Adam Jones

Building Brand Relationships in the Digital Age: The Impact of Social Media Content on Consumer Engagement and Trust
A head-and-shoulder portrait of a Black woman with voluminous, dark, curly hair framing her face. She wears brown tortoiseshell cat-eye glasses, a black scoop-neck top, a delicate gold chain with a slender pendant, and gold triangular drop earrings. She looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression, set against a softly blurred background showing hints of buildings.

Juliette-Gloria Le Saout

Now, Listen: A Study on How Public Speech Structures Attention
A close-up portrait of a young woman with long, wavy reddish-brown hair, bright green eyes, and a broad, radiant smile showing white teeth. She wears a black ribbed top, sparkling silver hoop earrings, and a delicate silver chain with a small crystal pendant. The background is a soft blur of an indoor office-like setting.

Vanessa Woffenden

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