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Houda Houbeish: the Human Side of Doing Journalism in a Crisis

By EJ Boston

Houda's hometown: Saida, Lebanon

FIMS Media Studies doctoral student Houda Houbeish uses her journalism background to explore the realities that journalists face when covering intense stories.

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Houda Houbeish is a PhD student pursuing her degree in Media Studies at Western University’s Faculty of Information and Media Studies. This unique program allows Houda to critically analyze current events while integrating her passions for writing, academia and journalism.

Growing up in Saida, a coastal city in Lebanon, Houda always found joy in literature and writing.

“I thought of myself as a poet when I was a child. I was very much into literature and from the very beginning of my adolescence I knew that I wanted to go into the humanities field,” she says.

Houda’s strong passion for writing influenced her to complete an undergraduate degree in Communication Arts with a focus in journalism from the Lebanese American University, one of the top institutions in Lebanon. There, she received a scholarship to continue her studies, helping her overcome the financial barrier experienced by many due to the primarily privatized nature of post-secondary education in Lebanon.

For Houda, the early stages of her degree were intimidating. “You have to be courageous and know a lot about anything and everything which I found very overwhelming.”

Fun Fact

If Houda could choose a dream career, she would want to be a baker and run a coffee-shop.

But despite these initial feelings, it was during her first journalism internship that she truly fell in love with the profession. And though she felt at home in journalism, her passion for academia also called to her. In her final year of study, she decided that she would next pursue a Master of Arts in Media Studies at the American University of Beirut, which she completed in 2018.

Houda was working as a Communications Specialist in the non-profit sector in Beirut when she came across FIMS’ Media Studies doctoral program offered at Western University in Canada. She saw it as another perfect opportunity to blend journalism and academia. Upon her acceptance into the program, Houda was offered a Graduate Research Scholarship to help fund her doctoral studies as an international student in Canada.

Joining the PhD program in Media Studies Western is something that Houda holds near to her heart. “Holding a PhD is something that I always wanted as a child. Doing a PhD overseas has broadened my perspectives and knowledge about the field. I’m very glad that I had the opportunity to come to Canada as a student.”

"Be very clear about why you want to do a PhD. Do it because this is what you want, and this is where you see yourself going. Don't limit yourself." - Houda Houbeish

Houda uses her journalism background as the basis of her media studies PhD work. In her online profile, she describes her research interests as being “at the intersection of Journalism Studies, Feminist Ethics, and Humanitarian Communications.” She is currently exploring and analyzing the impact that crisis reporting has on the journalists who are tasked with it. The work is informed by ongoing interviews with eight Lebanese journalists. Moving away from a sometimes-romanticized view of journalism that portrays journalists as humans with supernatural powers, her ultimate goal is to show the real, human aspect of being a journalist, especially when living and working amid a crisis.

Houda thinks that joining FIMS as a PhD student has enhanced her overall experience as a doctoral student in Canada. The sense of solidarity, social and academic support, and collegiality she has experienced in FIMS allows her to reach her full academic potential. “There is always someone who listens, helps, and provides advice at FIMS.”

FIMS welcomes students from a diverse range of backgrounds, explains Houda. Students work and interact with a variety of fellows, lecturers and guest speakers who foster rich conversations spanning a wide range of topics. The interdisciplinary environment has been instrumental in pushing Houda to pursue her academic goals.

Moving forward, Houda wants to continue working in academia and become a published author. Whether her options include a post-doctoral degree, teaching university-level classes, or continuing with her research in crisis reporting, she has high aspirations.

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Profiles in the Meet Our Students section are written by students in the Master of Media in Journalism & Communication program, who are enrolled in MMJC 9604 - Professional Writing.