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Janelle Allan: Blending AI Research and Media Creativity
By Esther Li
Janelle's hometown: Richmond Hill, ON
From research on AI and social justice to her passion for media production, Janelle Allan is carving her own path in the world of academia and storytelling.
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Janelle Allan is more than just a grad student at Western—she is a researcher, a creator, and a mentor, driven by a deep curiosity about the ways digital innovation shapes society. But if you had asked her a few years ago where she saw her future self, she would not have expected to be where she is now as she balances academic research, teaching, and media production all at once.
Janelle’s journey into research began during her undergraduate studies in Media and Communications Studies (MACS) in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies, where she participated in an Undergraduate Student Research Internship (USRI) under Professor Joanna Redden. The internship allowed her to gain practical experience in conducting academic research.
“Working with my professor, Joanna Redden, really broadened my perspective on research. Through our work together, she encouraged me to explore research more deeply, which ultimately shaped my academic path,” said Janelle.
Through the USRI experience, she developed a strong interest in data ethics and justice, particularly in understanding how digital systems create harm. Her team’s work focused on defining two key concepts: social data harms, which emerge from systemic inequalities, and affective data harms, which capture the emotional and psychological distress linked to digital technologies. The opportunity to present these findings at two research conferences reinforced her passion for this field and set the stage for her graduate studies.
Fun Fact
Janelle is a triplet; she has a brother and a sister who pursued different paths at York University and Queen’s University.
Her journey through the MA in Media Studies program has been one of self-discovery and growth, strengthening her commitment to exploring the ethical and social impacts of emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
As a component of this commitment, Janelle is a graduate research assistant at the Starling Center for Just Technologies and Just Societies, which was co-founded by Professor Redden. Janelle explores the racial biases embedded in facial recognition technology, particularly in policing. She found out how these systems often misidentify darker skin tones, reinforcing systemic discrimination. As a young woman of colour, she brings a personal perspective to her research, questioning the impact of AI-driven predictive policing on marginalized communities.
To make these complex issues more accessible, she is now working with her team towards knowledge mobilization efforts through the use of podcasting and media creation. To create her podcast material, Janelle will need to engage with people directly impacted by using, or the use of, AI-driven technologies. Her goal is to ask the right questions and bring more public awareness to the real impact of these systems.
Janelle also works on GradCast, a graduate student-produced podcast, which has been a crucial part of her time at FIMS. There, she applies her background in graphic design and social media strategy to help produce and promote each episode. This creative outlet ties into her long-term goal: blending research and media production to educate and inspire.
Beyond research, Janelle is also a Teaching Assistant for MEDIACOM 1020, an introductory course for first year undergraduates in FIMS. She has experienced a full-circle moment—once a first-year student in the course, now she stands at the front of the classroom guiding new students through their own academic journeys.
“At first, I felt like an imposter,” she says. “But over time, I grew into the role and developed my confidence as a leader.” Her experience as a TA has strengthened her ability to communicate complex ideas and foster an inclusive learning environment.
For Janelle, FIMS is more than just academics; it is a place where she has grown, explored, and found a supportive community. With only nine students in her program, she has built strong connections, sharing ideas, collaborating on projects, and creating a space where everyone feels valued.
Her interdisciplinary experience has allowed her to push boundaries and embrace new perspectives. Through it all, she has learned an important lesson: “You are here because you deserve to be here, and you earned it. So don’t question that, and don’t be afraid to step into yourself, even if it goes against the grain of the culture around you.
Looking ahead, Janelle envisions a career that integrates academia, media, and entrepreneurship. She hopes to continue her research while expanding her creative projects, possibly launching her own media company. “I want to keep doing research, but I also want to be in the media space—whether it’s production, set design, or graphic design,” she says. “I’ve developed both the technical and analytical skills, and now it’s about putting them into action.”
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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.
