Media

Seyma Sarikaya

Hopecore: How Exposure to Prosocial Films Affects Human Behavior

A front-facing headshot of a woman with medium skin, dark brown eyes, and long, glossy dark brown curly hair styled partly up, with a center part and curls framing her face and shoulders. She wears a black button-up shirt, small gold hoop earrings, and a thin gold snake chain necklace, smiling gently at the camera against a plain light grey background.

Hello! My name is Seyma Sarikaya, and I’m a fourth-year Professional Communication student at Toronto Metropolitan University. My academic journey at TMU has given me many opportunities to further develop my skills in content creation, strategic marketing, and creative writing. With a strong foundation in communication, I have been able to lead and be a part of multiple initiatives focused on building community and increasing engagement in both social and student circles. As part of an industry that continues to evolve, I am excited to explore innovative ways to integrate my personal interests in creative media into the professional landscape.

This research project aims to explore the effects that media with positive narratives have on their consumers. When analyzing interactions with digital media, specifically the 2025 film Superman, it emphasizes themes of empathy, radical optimism, and gratitude. This study examines the relationship between emotional responses that films evoke from viewers, and their effects on human cognition.

Lightning Talk

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A close-up, front-facing headshot of a man with medium-dark skin, short dark hair, and a friendly smile. He wears black-rimmed glasses, a white collared shirt, and a dark blue crew-neck sweatshirt. Small dark moles are visible near his left eye and under his right eye. The indoor background is softly blurred, showing light-colored walls and windows.

Mohammad Shafin Alif

How Media Representation Influences Public Understanding of Refugees
A close-up portrait of a young woman with long, slightly messy auburn wavy hair. She has fair skin with a natural blush on her cheeks, bright green eyes, and a soft smile with red lipstick. She is wearing a blue and white small-checkered button-down shirt with some buttons undone, and small pearl drop earrings. The background is a plain light grey wall.

Ella Parker-Tam

AI, Accountability, and the University: Who Is Responsible for Student Learning?
A headshot features a young woman with long, straight, dark brown hair parted down the middle, looking directly at the viewer with a broad, radiant smile. She has light green eyes and a natural complexion. She wears a light blue textured knit sweater over a black lace top, and two delicate gold necklaces with pendants. The background is a soft, plain light gray.

Mackenzie Falconer

Visual Storytelling, Identity, and Subtle Branding on Instagram
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