Learn new skills. Meet other teens. Connect with media pros.

Interested in journalism, media or yearbook? This conference is for you.

Learn from the pros, find story ideas, try out TV reporting, improve your graphic design skills—and so much more.

Click here to see the full schedule.

 

New this year: sign up for a one-on-one feedback session with a media professional or Ryerson member.

This conference is free to attend. Lunch and snacks are provided.

Who: The conference is open to all high school students and teachers. No previous media experience is required. All participants must register to reserve their spot in the conference.

When: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Thursday, October 17, 2019. Full schedule here.

Where: The Rogers Communication Centre, Ryerson University.
80 Gould Street, Toronto.

Questions? Email Laura Howells at lhowells@ryerson.ca or Jaclyn Mika at jmika@ryerson.ca.

Interested in high school journalism and media? Join this discussion group, facilitated by the Canadian Youth Journalism Project.

Schedule

Schedule

Schedule

null

Registration

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Meet in the lobby of the Rogers Communications Centre for registration.
null

Introduction

9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Welcome and opening panel:

You don’t have to be a pro to do amazing work. Meet four young people who took student media to the next level.

Moderator: Sonya Fatah

Speakers:

  • Stefanie Phillips and Brent Smyth Uncovered bedbugs at Ryerson for The Eyeopener
  • Sonja Katanic, co-founded art magazine Plasma Dolphin in high school.
  • Graham Beer, founder of Cobourg Media

Room: The Venn, Rogers Communication Centre.

null

Breakout Sessions A (10:10-11 a.m.)

How to interview like a pro
Speaker: Piya Chattopadhyay, Host of Out in the Open, CBC Radio
Location: The Venn

CBC Radio host Piya Chattopadhyay has interviewed everybody from politicians to movie stars. She talks about the art of asking questions.

 

Jumpstart your news reporting
Speaker: Adrian Ma, Ryerson University
Time: 10:10 – 11 a.m.
Room: Catalyst
Dive into news reporting with journalist and Ryerson prof Adrian Ma.

 

Follow your path: Writing fiction, computer code and everything in between
Speaker: Angela Misri, Fiction author and digital director at the Walrus
Room: 187

Writing can take you to a LOT of different places. Angela Misri started her career as a pre-med student. Now she writes YA detective novels and works for one of Canada’s most prominent magazines.

 

How to grow your audience and build your brand
Speaker: Ron Nurwisah, Senior editor of audience engagement, Huffington Post Canada
Room: 189

Want more people to see your work? Ron Nurwisah from Huffington Post Canada talks about how to use social media to grow your audience and build your brand.

 

Podcasting and radio workshop
Speakers: Angela Glover and Michal Stein
Location: Slaight Radio studio

Get behind the microphone! Learn to use professional audio recording equipment and try out our recording studio.


Get inside the TV studio
Speaker: Gary Gould, Ryerson
Room: TV Studio D

Learn how to navigate a TV studio and have your chance in front of the camera.


Become a better opinion writer
Speaker: John Fraser, National NewsMedia Council
Room: 185

Write opinion pieces that will make an impact.

null

Breakout Sessions B (11:10 -12 p.m.)

Become a better reporter
Speaker: Matthew Braga, Senior technology reporter, CBC News
Room: 223
From finding a story idea to shaping a story, CBC’s Matthew Braga will take your news reporting to the next level.

 

Dive into arts journalism
Speaker: Samantha Edwards, Now Magazine
Room: 189
Everyone has opinions on movies, books and music. But what makes good arts journalism? How do you write a review that people will care about? Now Magazine’s Samantha Edwards takes you through it.

 

Become a better opinion writer
Speaker: Erica Lenti, This Magazine
Room: 185
Write opinion pieces that will make an impact.


Don’t be fooled online
Speaker: Craig Silverman, Media Editor, BuzzFeed
Location: Room 183
Is that actually REAL? BuzzFeed’s Craig Silverman is an expert in fake news. He’ll show you the skills you need to spot fake info online


Become a better interviewer/Reporting on politics
Speaker: Travis Dhanraj, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief at Global News
Room: 213

null

10 ways to make a good-looking newspaper

Speaker: Ming Wong, Assistant art director, Globe and Mail

Time: 11:10 a.m.

Room:

Feel like your paper can use some freshening up? The Globe and Mail’s Ming Wong offers tips and suggestions on how to best present stories. Bring a copy of your newspaper or design work for feedback!

Podcasting and radio workshop
Speakers: Angela Glover and Michal Stein
Location: Slaight Radio studio
Get behind the microphone! Learn to use professional audio recording equipment and try out our recording studio.


Get inside the TV studio
Speaker: Gary Gould, Ryerson
Room: TV Studio D
Learn how to navigate a TV studio and have your chance in front of the camera.

null

Lunch with a Pro

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: The Venn – RCC 103

Enjoy a complimentary lunch while chatting with working journalists and journalism students.

Lunch is kindly donated by Salad King.

null

Breakout Sessions C - 1:40 - 2:30 p.m.

How to write about anything or everything
Speaker: Fatima Syed, National Observer
Room: 219

From breaking news to personal essays, here’s how to handle anything that comes your way (even if you know nothing about the topic!).

Intro to 360 Video Reporting
Speaker: Adrian Ma, Ryerson School of Journalism
Room: 183
360 and VR video is an emerging form of journalistic storytelling, especially now that the technology to create and edit immersive video content has become more affordable and easier to use. In this session, students will get tips on shooting 360 video for reporting and get a chance to experiment with live 360 video for social media.

 

Legal facts you need to know
Speaker: Lisa Taylor, Assistant professor, Ryerson University
Room: Room 187
What pictures can I publish? Can I say that? Learn the legal tips every journalist should know.

 

What makes a good story?
Speaker: Mackay Taggart
News Director, Global News Toronto
Room: 189
Where do you find a story? The news director at Global News Toronto talks about finding good stories and deciding what makes the news.

 

Running a great student newsroom
Jacob Dubé, Editor-in-chief, the Eyeopener
Emma Wai, Editor-in-chief, the Reckoner
Time: 1:40 – 2:30 p.m.
Room: 213

 

Become a better interviewer
Speaker: Arshy Mann, host of CANADALAND Commons
Room: 185

 

Become a better photographer
Speaker: Gary Gould, Ryerson
Room: 223
Take your photography to the next level. Ryerson’s Gary Gould will show you tips and tricks for capturing better visuals.

 

Podcasting and radio workshop
Speakers: Angela Glover and Michal Stein
Location: Slaight Radio studio

Get behind the microphone! Learn to use professional audio recording equipment and try out our recording studio.

null

Closing remarks

2:40
null

Student media roundtable

3 p.m. – onwards.

Are you part of a high school publication or media club? Interested in starting one? The student roundtable is a chance to talk to students at other schools and share your tips and experiences.

Schedule

Schedule

Schedule

null

Registration

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Meet in the lobby of the Rogers Communications Centre for registration.
null

Introduction

9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Welcome and opening panel:

You don’t have to be a pro to do amazing work. Meet four young people who took student media to the next level.

Moderator: Sonya Fatah

Speakers:

  • Stefanie Phillips and Brent Smyth Uncovered bedbugs at Ryerson for The Eyeopener
  • Sonja Katanic, co-founded art magazine Plasma Dolphin in high school.
  • Graham Beer, founder of Cobourg Media

Room: The Venn, Rogers Communication Centre.

null

Breakout Sessions A (10:10-11 a.m.)

How to interview like a pro
Speaker: Piya Chattopadhyay, Host of Out in the Open, CBC Radio
Location: The Venn

CBC Radio host Piya Chattopadhyay has interviewed everybody from politicians to movie stars. She talks about the art of asking questions.

 

Jumpstart your news reporting
Speaker: Adrian Ma, Ryerson University
Time: 10:10 – 11 a.m.
Room: Catalyst
Dive into news reporting with journalist and Ryerson prof Adrian Ma.

 

Follow your path: Writing fiction, computer code and everything in between
Speaker: Angela Misri, Fiction author and digital director at the Walrus
Room: 187

Writing can take you to a LOT of different places. Angela Misri started her career as a pre-med student. Now she writes YA detective novels and works for one of Canada’s most prominent magazines.

 

How to grow your audience and build your brand
Speaker: Ron Nurwisah, Senior editor of audience engagement, Huffington Post Canada
Room: 189

Want more people to see your work? Ron Nurwisah from Huffington Post Canada talks about how to use social media to grow your audience and build your brand.

 

Podcasting and radio workshop
Speakers: Angela Glover and Michal Stein
Location: Slaight Radio studio

Get behind the microphone! Learn to use professional audio recording equipment and try out our recording studio.


Get inside the TV studio
Speaker: Gary Gould, Ryerson
Room: TV Studio D

Learn how to navigate a TV studio and have your chance in front of the camera.


Become a better opinion writer
Speaker: John Fraser, National NewsMedia Council
Room: 185

Write opinion pieces that will make an impact.

null

Breakout Sessions B (11:10 -12 p.m.)

Become a better reporter
Speaker: Matthew Braga, Senior technology reporter, CBC News
Room: 223
From finding a story idea to shaping a story, CBC’s Matthew Braga will take your news reporting to the next level.

 

Dive into arts journalism
Speaker: Samantha Edwards, Now Magazine
Room: 189
Everyone has opinions on movies, books and music. But what makes good arts journalism? How do you write a review that people will care about? Now Magazine’s Samantha Edwards takes you through it.

 

Become a better opinion writer
Speaker: Erica Lenti, This Magazine
Room: 185
Write opinion pieces that will make an impact.


Don’t be fooled online
Speaker: Craig Silverman, Media Editor, BuzzFeed
Location: Room 183
Is that actually REAL? BuzzFeed’s Craig Silverman is an expert in fake news. He’ll show you the skills you need to spot fake info online


Become a better interviewer/Reporting on politics
Speaker: Travis Dhanraj, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief at Global News
Room: 213

null

10 ways to make a good-looking newspaper

Speaker: Ming Wong, Assistant art director, Globe and Mail

Time: 11:10 a.m.

Room:

Feel like your paper can use some freshening up? The Globe and Mail’s Ming Wong offers tips and suggestions on how to best present stories. Bring a copy of your newspaper or design work for feedback!

Podcasting and radio workshop
Speakers: Angela Glover and Michal Stein
Location: Slaight Radio studio
Get behind the microphone! Learn to use professional audio recording equipment and try out our recording studio.


Get inside the TV studio
Speaker: Gary Gould, Ryerson
Room: TV Studio D
Learn how to navigate a TV studio and have your chance in front of the camera.

null

Lunch with a Pro

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: The Venn – RCC 103

Enjoy a complimentary lunch while chatting with working journalists and journalism students.

Lunch is kindly donated by Salad King.

null

Breakout Sessions C - 1:40 - 2:30 p.m.

How to write about anything or everything
Speaker: Fatima Syed, National Observer
Room: 219

From breaking news to personal essays, here’s how to handle anything that comes your way (even if you know nothing about the topic!).

Intro to 360 Video Reporting
Speaker: Adrian Ma, Ryerson School of Journalism
Room: 183
360 and VR video is an emerging form of journalistic storytelling, especially now that the technology to create and edit immersive video content has become more affordable and easier to use. In this session, students will get tips on shooting 360 video for reporting and get a chance to experiment with live 360 video for social media.

 

Legal facts you need to know
Speaker: Lisa Taylor, Assistant professor, Ryerson University
Room: Room 187
What pictures can I publish? Can I say that? Learn the legal tips every journalist should know.

 

What makes a good story?
Speaker: Mackay Taggart
News Director, Global News Toronto
Room: 189
Where do you find a story? The news director at Global News Toronto talks about finding good stories and deciding what makes the news.

 

Running a great student newsroom
Jacob Dubé, Editor-in-chief, the Eyeopener
Emma Wai, Editor-in-chief, the Reckoner
Time: 1:40 – 2:30 p.m.
Room: 213

 

Become a better interviewer
Speaker: Arshy Mann, host of CANADALAND Commons
Room: 185

 

Become a better photographer
Speaker: Gary Gould, Ryerson
Room: 223
Take your photography to the next level. Ryerson’s Gary Gould will show you tips and tricks for capturing better visuals.

 

Podcasting and radio workshop
Speakers: Angela Glover and Michal Stein
Location: Slaight Radio studio

Get behind the microphone! Learn to use professional audio recording equipment and try out our recording studio.

null

Closing remarks

2:40
null

Student media roundtable

3 p.m. – onwards.

Are you part of a high school publication or media club? Interested in starting one? The student roundtable is a chance to talk to students at other schools and share your tips and experiences.

Featured Speakers

Jane Lytvynenko wearing a green jacket with a leaf pattern on it.

Jane Lytvynenko

Journalist, BuzzFeed News

Session: Doubt It – Figuring out fact vs. fake online

Jane Lytvynenko is a journalist with BuzzFeed News, where she investigates online misinformation. Her work focuses on analyzing the spread of fake news and the rise of hyperpartisanship though online platforms using digital tools. Besides English, she speaks Russian and Ukrainian.  Her work has also appeared in Maclean’s, CBC News, and Canadaland, where she was a media reporter and editor.

In 2018, Natalie spearheaded the first ever World News Day to create public
awareness about the value of fact-based journalism in our society.  Natalie
serves on numerous industry advisory bodies and judging panels for
journalism awards and fellowships.

Saroja Coelho outside wearing a red jacket.

Saroja Coelho

Host, CBC Radio

Session: Interview Like a Pro

Saroja Coelho is an award-winning broadcaster and the host of Mornings on CBC Music. She started as a reporter in Seoul, South Korea, where she produced stories for The World at Six and Dispatches (CBC Radio One). In 2006, she relocated to Berlin, Germany where she was an eastern and central European correspondent covering Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria and Hungary. Her documentaries were aired on CBC, BBC, NPR and Deutsche Welle, covering everything from music and culture to migration and climate change. In 2012, Saroja became the host of Living Planet, an international radio show on climate and environmental issues produced by Deutsche Welle. She took a hiatus in 2015 in order to participate in the Paris Climate Summit, returning to broadcasting the following year as the new host of Breakaway, CBC’s drive-home show for the province of Quebec. After more than a decade away, she finally returned to Toronto in 2018 where she has guest hosted Mornings, q, As It Happens, Here and Now, Ontario Morning and Day 6.

Head shot of Arti Patel.

Arti Patel

National Online Supervising Editor, Lifestyle for Globalnews.ca

Session: What makes a good story?

Arti Patel is an award-winning reporter and editor with a focus on health, women’s issues, relationships, and awareness around racism and gender equality. Getting her foot in the door at the Huffington Post Canada’s Toronto office, she started as in intern and worked as an editor in the lifestyle department for almost six years.

With a deep passion for storytelling since her Ryerson University journalism days, she has also dabbled in long-form features on mental health and divorce, in-house produced videos and hosted several segments for lifestyle channels.

She also enjoys sitting on media panels and mentoring students interested in the craft.

In 2016, she launched Huffington Post Canada’s Born and Raised series, an ongoing discussion on being a child of an immigrant in Canada.

When she’s not writing or thinking about story ideas, you can find her cheering on the Raptors, getting lost in Toronto neighbourhoods and pretending to be the next big (vegetarian) food critic.

Fatima Syed of the National Observer photographed on the roof of 215 Spadina Avenue.

FATIMA SYED

Reporter, National Observer

Session: Young People, Big Stories

Fatima Syed is the Toronto reporter for National Observer, where she investigates Ontario politics, environment, energy and social justice. Her work has also focused on the rise of hate. She was previously a breaking news and enterprise report for The Toronto Star, and has been published in two Coach House anthologies about city-building.

Head shot of Kevin Ritchie.

Kevin Ritchie

Senior Culture Editor, NOW Magazine

Session: Movies, music and more: The art of arts reviews

Talia Ricci's press pass photo.

Talia Ricci

Reporter, CBC Toronto

Session: Ask the Pros – What it’s really like to work in the news biz

Talia Ricci is a CBC reporter based in Toronto. She’s from Guelph and has also reported in London and Winnipeg. From the Middle East to West Africa, Talia has travelled around the globe volunteering and photographing. She enjoys covering offbeat human interest stories and exposing social justice issues. When she’s not reporting, you can find Talia creating recipes for her plant based food blog.

Head shot of Sarah Krichel.

Sarah Krichel

Editor-in-Chief, The Eyeopener

Sarah Krichel is the editor-in-chief of Ryerson’s independent student newspaper The Eyeopener. She’s worked with VICE News, CANADALAND, the National Post and more, and specializes in reporting on equity and underreported issues.

Head shot of Natalie Turvey against a grey background.

Natalie Turvey

President and Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation

Session: Doubt It – Figuring out fact vs. fake online

Natalie Turvey is President and Executive Director of The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), a not-for-profit organization that fosters excellence in journalism through education, research, and one of the industry’s most prestigious annual awards and fellowships program. During the last decade, Natalie has enhanced the reach and relevance of the CJF by introducing new journalism awards and fellowships and by expanding the foundation’s monthly public speakers’ series – CJF J-Talks – across the
country.  Under Natalie’s leadership, the CJF in partnership with CIVIX launched a national news literacy program called NewsWise to bring greater news literacy to students. The CJF is bringing NewsWise to voting-age Canadians to help all Canadians understand the difference between fact-based
journalism and misinformation the digital world. In 2018, Natalie spearheaded the first ever World News Day to create public awareness about the value of fact-based journalism in our society.  Natalie serves on numerous industry advisory bodies and judging panels for journalism awards and fellowships.

Head shot of Angela Misri outside.

ANGELA MISRI

Fiction Author and Digital Director at the Walrus

Session: The Path To Writing Fiction

Angela Misri is an award-winning journalist, author and educator. Her young-adult detective series, called The Portia Adams Adventures, is set in the 1930s, and her first middle-grade novel is called Pickles vs the Zombies and was published by Cormorant books in September, 2019. Misri has an MA in journalism from the University of Western Ontario and has worked as a digital journalist for almost 20 years, first at the CBC and now at The Walrus. She also teaches in the journalism faculty at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Head shot of Varun Venkataramanan.

Varun Venkataramanan

Sports Reporter and Web Developer, UW Imprint

Session: Building a better website

11 a.m.

Varun Venkataramanan is the Sports Editor at UW Imprint, the University of Waterloo’s official newspaper, and formerly the Editor in Chief of The Reckoner of MGCI, Marc Garneau CI’s student newspaper. His work now focuses on university and GTA sports, but he loves to explore data-journalism and is a strong believer in visual-storytelling.
He is currently pursuing degrees in Computer Science and English Literature at the University of Waterloo. When Varun has spare time, he is training for marathons, watching whatever sport is on TV (except golf), or re-reading the Harry Potter series.
Follow Varun on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/torvarun.
Head shot of Stefanie Phillips.

STEFANIE PHILLIPS

Podcast Editor, Frequency Podcast Network

Session: Radio and Podcasting

Stefanie Phillips is a Toronto-based journalist inspired to share important stories that matter to Canadians. She has been cultivating a career in multimedia reporting since 2013 and is currently working as a podcast producer for the Frequency Podcast Network by Rogers Media. Let her follow you around with a microphone and challenge her to find the perfect music for your #mood.

Kosalan Kathiramalanathan in the Rogers Communications Centre.

Kosalan Kathiramalanathan

Online Editor, The Eyeopener

Kosalan Kathiramalanathan has been volunteering with The Eye since his first year of university. He’s bounced around from section to section, but became a photo editor in 2017 and is now an online editor. Part of his job is to research memes at least once a day.

Head shot of Lindsay Hanna.

LINDSAY HANNA

Digital content and web design specialist

Session: Get Inside the TV Studio

Lindsay is the Digital Content and Web Design Specialist for the School of Journalism. She joined the Ryerson staff in 2004 after receiving her Bachelor of Journalism.

As a freelance editor, Lindsay has created promotional and music videos. She also worked at Global Television News, teaching digital video editing.

Lindsay continues to work as a freelance web designer and multimedia consultant for numerous clients, providing advice on advancing their online presence, and in the development of company and personal websites.

Head shot of Alex McNamee.

Alex McNamee

SNO Sites Education and Training Specialist
Session: Want an instant news website? Let SNO take care of the technology while you focus on teaching journalism (Sponsored by School Newspapers Online)
Alex is the training and education expert at SNO Sites. He’s been in journalism since high school, graduated from Eastern Illinois University and worked professionally on
the prep sports beat for several years before joining SNO. In addition to his training duties, Alex oversees the Best of SNO (www.bestofsno.com) website and SNO Distinguished Sites recognition program.
Head shot of Tasala Tahir.

Tasala Tahir

Media relations, Toronto Raptors
Session: Let’s talk sports: Life in sports journalism
11 a.m.

       The youngest of three and the only girl, Tasala learned the game of basketball from her older brothers who loved playing it growing up. Raptors games were the norm on the living room television for as long as she can remember. A recreational basketball player herself, the love for the game naturally grew inside her.

        Today, Tasala is an up-and-coming sport industry professional. Her current roles include working as the Media Relations Coordinator for the Toronto Raptors and as a Jr. NBA program ambassador. She is actively involved with the sport of basketball in areas including PR and communications, community development, and basketball operations. She enjoys finding ways to use the game of basketball to unite humanity, strengthen bonds, and ultimately create a positive environment on a team or in the community.

Eternity Martis sitting at a desk with an open laptop, a pile of books and a cactus.

ETERNITY MARTIS

Editor, Xtra

Session: Telling Your Personal Story

Eternity Martis is an award-winning journalist and the senior editor at Xtra. Her work has been featured in Vice, Huffington Post, The Walrus, CBC, Hazlitt, The Fader, tvo.org and more, and one of her essays was selected by Roxane Gay as part of Salon’s series highlighting women writers of colour. She recently wrote an essay in the highly-anticipated anthology Black Writers Matter from University of Regina Press (2019). Her memoir, They Said This Would Be Fun, about being a student of colour amid growing white nationalism on campus, is forthcoming from McClelland & Stewart.

Head shot of Sonny Sachdeva against a white background.

Sonny Sachdeva

Associate Editor, Sportsnet

Session: Let’s talk sports! Life in sports journalism

Sonny Sachdeva is a feature writer and editor for Sportsnet, whose work focuses primarily on diversity and sports culture. Sonny’s 2019 feature, ‘A Better Mirror: Inside Hockey Night Punjabi’s Fight to be Part of Canada’s Game,’ was named a finalist for the RTDNA’s national Sports Feature Reporting Award. He’s also written features about hockey’s presence in Japan, the impact of figure skating on the NHL’s evolution, and the hometown beginnings of Canadian great Steve Yzerman. Sonny has also appeared on Sportsnet radio programs across the country, and has written scripts for broadcast features airing on Hockey Night in Canada.

Jack Hauen sitting in a coffee shop.

Jack Hauen

Politics Reporter, Queen’s Park Briefing

Session: Reporting on Politics – When your school is part of the story

Jack Hauen is a reporter at Queen’s Park Briefing covering the Doug Ford government. He has previously worked at the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post, CBC Vancouver, and the greatest student paper in the world — the Ubyssey. (if you need another line) He’s passionate about student media, the Canucks and the hopeless pursuit of B.C.-level sushi in Toronto.

David Singh against a white background.

David Singh

Feature Writer, Sportsnet

Session: Let’s talk sports! Life in sports journalism

1:20 p.m. 

David Singh is a feature writer at Sportsnet, where he has worked since 2015. He focuses primarily on long-form journalism in his current role and has reported features from international destinations such as Detroit, Seattle, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. He is a multi-platform contributor who has appeared on Sportsnet’s digital video and broadcast properties, in addition to podcasts and radio stations.

Head shot of Justin Ling.

Justin Ling

Freelance journalist, Host of OPPO

Session – Opening panel: Young people, big stories

9 a.m.

Head shot of Brad Needham against a white background.

Brad Needham

Managing editor, Pagemasters North America

Session: Make a Better-Looking Paper – Layout and Design Tips and Tricks

Brad Needham is an award-winning newspaper designer and the managing editor of Pagemasters North America, which handles editing and pagination services for media organizations such as the Globe and Mail, Virginian-Pilot and Toronto Star. Brad has been working in journalism for about 20 years, and has worked as an editor at newspapers such as the Toronto Star, Waterloo Region Record, Fort McMurray Today and two great shuttered papers, the Guelph Mercury and Barrie Examiner. He has won three international design awards from the Society for News Design and one Ontario Newspaper Award (ONAs) for design, as well as being nominated on multiple occasions. He has also been a judge for the ONAs and is a member of the Program Advisory Committee for Humber College’s journalism program.

Despite journalism’s turn toward a more digital focus, Brad remains passionate about newspaper design.

Close up of Maham Abedi in a park.

Maham Abedi

Ryerson Journalism Instructor and National Online Journalist at Global News

Session: Journalism 101: How to get from idea to news story

1:20 p.m.

Maham Abedi is a news reporter and editor based in Toronto. Her work focuses on breaking news, as well as issues faced by minority communities in Canada. She is a graduate of the Ryerson School of Journalism, where she is currently a part-time instructor. Maham started her career as a front-page editor for HuffPost Canada, and currently works as a national online journalist at Global News.

Head shot of Denise Balkissoon.

Denise Balkissoon

Opinion columnist, The Globe and Mail

Session – Convince Me – Become a smarter opinion writer

Denise Balkissoon is a columnist at the Globe and Mail. She was previously a host on Colour Code, the Globe’s award-winning podcast about race in Canada.

Head shot of Samantha Edwards.

Samantha Edwards

Staff writer, NOW Magazine

Session – Movies, music and more: The art of arts reviews

Head shot of Geoff Zochodne.

Geoff Zochodne

Reporter, Financial Post

Session – Follow the Money: The world of business news

Geoff Zochodne is a reporter at the Financial Post who has covered banking, cannabis and investment news. Prior to that, he covered politics at Queen’s Park and worked at a community newspaper in Oshawa, Ont.

Lisa Taylor

Assistant Professor, Ryerson School of Journalism

Session: Legal Info You Need To Know

Throughout her career, Lisa has focused on the intersection of law, ethics and journalism.

She is a former lawyer and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation journalist who teaches journalism law and ethics to undergraduate and graduate students.

Lisa’s research interests include state impediments to journalists’ freedom of expression and access to information. She is the co-editor of The Unfulfilled Promise of Press Freedom in Canada (University of Toronto Press, 2017), a Senior Fellow with Ryerson University’s Centre for Free Expression and a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists’ ethics advisory committee. She also leads the Canadian Worlds of Journalism study team, an interdisciplinary group that, together with researchers from 70 countries, regularly assesses the state of journalism throughout the world.

Her CBC journalism has been recognized by the Gemini Awards, the Atlantic Journalism Awards and the B’nai Brith Media Human Rights Awards. Her independent documentary production work has been recognized by the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the Atlantic Film Festival and the Yorkton Film Festival.

She holds both an LLB and an LLM from the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, where her graduate research focused on sexual assault complainants who face legal impediments when seeking to speak publicly about their experiences.

Lisa is an accomplished teacher who previously lectured at King’s College School of Journalism and Mount Saint Vincent University, both in Halifax. She regularly leads professional development workshops at CBC locations across Canada. In 2015, Lisa received Faculty of Communication and Design’s Dean’s Teaching Award at Ryerson University.

Head shot of Ashley Stanhope.

Ashley Stanhope

Assignment Editor, Global Toronto

Session: Ask the Pros: What it’s really like to work in the news biz

Ashley Stanhope is the Assignment Editor for Global Toronto, responsible for planning the network’s daily news coverage – making editorial decisions, and assigning reporters/camera operators/support staff to stories.

A graduate of Ryerson University’s journalism program, Ashley has spent nearly a decade as an Editor/Producer for organizations such as CityNews, BNN, CP24, and Global News.

Madi Wong in a park.

Madi Wong

News Editor, The Eyeopener

Madi Wong is a third-year journalism student at Ryerson and a news editor at The Eyeopener. When she’s not writing or editing you can find her wildin’ out at a concert or at the gym (working her stress off).

ADRIAN MA

Assistant Professor, Ryerson University

Session: Building Your Brand

Adrian Ma is an award-winning multimedia journalist that specializes in digital storytelling and personal branding.

He has more than a decade of professional journalism experience, with most of those years spent working at the CBC as a digital producer and news writer. He has also worked or freelanced for a variety of media outlets, including the Toronto Star, Hamilton Magazine, the Echo Weekly, CBC Sports, and the Canadian University Press.

He has been teaching at the Ryerson University School of Journalism since 2013, first as a lab instructor, and recently, as an LTF assistant professor.

He published his first book, How the Chinese Created Canada (Lone Pine Publishing), in 2010.

Head shot of Libaan Osman.

Libaan Osman

Sports Editor, The Eyeopener

Libaan Osman is a third-year journalism student at Ryerson University. He’s currently the sports editor at The Eyeopener and covers the Edmonton Stingers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

Head shot of Josh Cameron.

Joshua Cameron

Freelance writer, designer, art director

Session: Design and layout foundations

Joshua is a writer, art director and content creator for publications and brands including Google, Royal Bank of Canada, AAJA Asia and Ryerson University with extensive experience in design, photography, web and social media. He is unsurprisingly a huge nerd.

Head shot of Gary Gould with a camera behind him.

GARY GOULD

Cinematographer, Editor, Photographer

Session: Photography Tips On Your Phone and Camera

Gary is a professional cinematographer, editor and photographer. He is also a PADI-certified underwater photographer and videographer. Gary joined the School of Journalism in 1988 after working at CBC’s flagship current affairs program, The Journal. For 13 summers, Gary taught media courses (both Television Journalism and Film Studies) at the Oxford Media School in Oxford, England and recently taught in Mexico.

His credits include productions for CBC, CTV, the National Film Board of Canada, Discovery Channel, Toronto EMS, the Mayor of Toronto, the Canadian National Exhibition, and various Christian mission agencies around the world. He has worked in Africa, Albania, the Amazon, Europe, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico and Nicaragua.

Gary has a PhD in Communications from Regent University in Virginia. His dissertation examined television and film heroes and how audiences identify with them through costumes. He has a Master of Theological Studies from Tyndale College and Seminary and a B.A.A. from Ryerson’s RTA program.

Gary provides production and technical support to all students and teaches JRN 310, Video Production Techniques.

Head shot of Tom Hutchinson.

Tom Hutchinson

SNO Sites Co-Founder
Session: Want an instant news website? Let SNO take care of the technology while you focus on teaching journalism (Sponsored by School Newspapers Online)
Tom is the Co-Founder of SNO Sites, a Minnesota-based web hosting platform dedicated specifically to supporting high school and college journalism programs.  Before starting SNO in the spring of 2009, Tom was the Director of Product and Project Management at Internet Broadcasting, a provider of digital publishing and advertising solutions to broadcast media companies.
Head shot of Nathaniel Crouch.

Nathaniel Crouch

Biz and Tech Editor, The Eyeopener
Nathaniel Crouch is the business & technology editor at The Eyeopener and was previously the fun & satire editor. He found his way into journalism through his environment and urban sustainability program. Right now, he’s producing a special Climate Crisis issue this year for The Eye and is the Dungeon Master for Eyeopener Dungeons & Dragons sessions on the side.
Valerie Dittrich against a wall painted yellow and blue.

Valerie Dittrich

News Editor, The Eyeopener
Valerie Dittrich is a news editor at The Eyeopener. When she’s not writing news hits late into the night, she’s writing stories about vaping or interviewing Jagmeet Singh

Twitter

Facebook

Ryerson School of Journalism | 80 Gould Street, Toronto, ON, M5B2K3

416-979-5000 | office.journalism@ryerson.ca

Our partners and sponsors

Logo for the Ryerson School of Journalism.
Logo for the Canadian Youth Journalism Project.
Logo for the Canadian Journalism Foundation.
Logo for SNO sites.
Logo for CWA Canada, Canada's media-only union.
Logo for Salad King Thai Food.