FIMS Profile

Danica [da-nee-kuh] | she/her | white settler | PhD(s) Health Information Science | SOGS VP Academic 2020-2021

Contrary to what you may assume, my name is not pronounced like Danica Patrick. I am a digital health researcher interested in citizens’ acquisition, development, and use of critical digital health literacy skills across the lifespan, with a specific focus on youth's sharing of climate change information to promote collective action through TikTok. I have been fortunate to study at Western University for many years under the brilliant instruction of both Humanities and Health Science scholars which has made me into the interdisciplinary researcher I am today. I have published as a Graduate Fellow on topics related to ethical surveillance, digital health literacy, digital parenting, theorizations of voice in qualitative inquiry and approaches to ethical discernment in qualitative inquiry using Deleuze and Guatarri, within the International Journal of Qualitative Methods, the International Journal for Qualitative Studies in Education, Health Science Inquiry, JMIR, and PLoS ONE. My other research areas of interest include: relational ethics; coerced digital participation; obligatory surveillance; self-tracking; and digital qualitative methodologies. Although I had a wonderful and environmentally rich upbringing in Northern Ontario (Thunder Bay), I have made Southern Ontario (London) my home for the last 9 years.

Teaching Experience 

2021 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Winter Term

  Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

Course Title: Introduction to Media Studies (MIT 1020E/011)

2020 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall Term

  Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

Course Title: Introduction to Media Studies (MIT 1020E/011)

2020                Graduate Teaching Assistant, Winter Term

                        Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

                        Course Title: Introduction to Media Studies (MIT 1020E/006)

2019                Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall Term

                        Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

                        Course Title: Introduction to Media Studies (MIT 1020E/006)

2019                Graduate Teaching Assistant, Winter Term

                        Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

                        Course Title: The Political Economy of Media (MIT 2100G/009)

2018                Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall Term

                        Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

                        Course Title: The History of Communication (MIT 2000F/006)

2017                Teaching Assistant, Winter Term

                        Department of English and Writing Studies, Western University

                        Course Title: Speculative Fiction/Science Fiction (English 2071G/650)

2016                Teaching Assistant, Fall Term

                        Department of English and Writing Studies, Western University

                        Course Title: Speculative Fiction/Fantasy (English 2072F/650)

Media - Podcast Interviews 

You can listen to my interview on Humans of Grad School Episode #1 Danica: Empath, Spark Igniter, Lost Human hosted and produced by Monica Molinaro here. 

You can listen to my interview on GradCast Episode #262 Web 2.0 for Tykes: Health Apps for Digital Youth hosted by Yimin Chen and Ariel Frame/produced by Connor Chato here. 

 Media - Virtual Conference Talks  

You can view the recording of my talk from the CAIS 2020: Diverging Trajectories in Information Science Open Virtual Conference entitled iKnow: Towards a Co-designed Digital Health Literacy Assessment Tool for Children here.

You can view the recording of my talk from the (FIMS) Doctoral Research Forum entitled Big Data, Little Direction: Towards the Co-production of Ethical Practice in Big Data Research with Minors here. 

You can view the recording of my talk from Beyond Giving Voice: Advancing theory and methodologies for qualitative research with children entitled Through the technological mouthpieces of data: Thinking through the use of digital data in research with children here. 

Current Project/s 

Current projects I am working on include: a policy analysis of elementary and secondary students' personal technology use within Ontario; a qualitative account of mothers' use of digital technologies to support their parenting; a scoping review on COVID-19 health information sharing through TikTok; and my post-secondary teaching certification. 

Research Experience 

 2020              Graduate Fellowship 

   School of Occupational Therapy, Western University

   Supervisor: Dr. Gail Teachman

Refereed Articles 

Facca, D., & Kinsella, A. (in press). Emergence, multiplicity and connection: Rethinking ethical discernment in qualitative research through a rhizo-ethics approach. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education.

Donelle, L., Hall, J., Hiebert, B., Jackson, K., Szynal, E., LaChance, J., & Facca, D. (2020). Investigation of Digital Technology Use in the Transition to Parenting. JMIR Pediatrics & Parenting. 

Facca, D., Gladstone, B., & Teachman, G. (2020). Working the limits of 'giving voice' to children: a critical conceptual review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1-10. 

Facca, D., Smith, M., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., Donelle, L. (2020). Exploring the ethical issues in research using digital data collection strategies with minors: A scoping review. PLoS ONE, 15(8), e0237875. 

Wuyou, S., & Facca, D. (2020). Digital Health in a Broadband Land: The role of digital health literacy within rural environments. Health Science Inquiry, 11(1), 140-143.

Rudkovska, A., & Facca, D. (2020).Your emotions are the newest hot commodity and there's an app for that. The Conversation Canada.

Refereed Abstracts

Facca, D., Smith, M., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., Donelle, L. (2020). Towards the Co-Production of Ethical Practice in Big Data Research with Minors. Canadian Bioethics Society 31^st Annual Conference: The Role of Bioethics in AI and Emerging Health Technologies. 

Rudkovska, A., Facca, D. (2020). Don’t Worry Be Happy: Considering the Ethical Implications of Mood Tracking Apps. Canadian Bioethics Society 31^st Annual Conference: The Role of Bioethics in AI and Emerging Health Technologies. 

Conference Presentations 

Facca, D., Donelle, L., Burke, S., Hieber, B., Bender, E., & Ling, S. (2021, May 18). “You have to be careful”: Examining Children’s Perspectives Related to Digital Device and Social Media Use Through a Digital Health Lens. Oral presentation at the Western University Nursing Legacy 2021 Research Conference, Virtual Conference. 

Hiebert, B., Hall, J., Donelle, L., & Facca, D. (Submitted). “Let me know when I’m needed”: Exploring the gendered nature of digital technology use during the transition to parenting. 2021 Canadian Nursing Informatics Association Conference, Virtual Conference.

Hiebert, B., Hall, J., Donelle, L., & Facca, D. (2021, May). “Let me know when I’m needed”: Exploring the gendered nature of digital technology use during the transition to parenting. Oral presentation at Western University Nursing Legacy 2021 Research Conference, Virtual Conference.

Hiebert, B., Hall, J., Donelle, L., & Facca, D. (2021, May). “Let me know when I’m needed”: Exploring the gendered nature of digital technology use during the transition to parenting. Oral presentation at The 2021 Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research Conference, Virtual Conference.

Facca, D. (2020, October 22). Big Data in the Digital Health Landscape. Paper presentation at the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) Mediations Workshop, London, ON.

Canas, E., Facca, D., Walugembe, D.L., Ikenyei, U., Veenendall, J., & Slominska, A. (2020, October 16). Health Information Science: Perspectives on a discipline in development. Panel presentation at CAIS2020: Diverging Trajectories in Information Science Open Virtual Conference.

Facca, D. (2020, October 7). iKnow: Towards a co-designed digital health literacy assessment tool for children. Paper/Video presentation at CAIS2020: Diverging Trajectories in Information Science Open Virtual Conference.

Facca, D., Smith, M., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., & Donelle, L. (2020, October 2). Big Data, Little Direction: Towards the Co-production of Ethical Practice in Big Data Research with Minors. Paper presentation at The FIMS Doctoral Research Forum. London, ON. 

Facca, D., Smith, M., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., & Donelle, L. (2020, August 18). Towards the Co-Production of Ethical Practice in Big Data Research with Minors. Oral presentation at the Western Law & HELP Lab Colloquium. London, ON.  

Facca, D. (2020, June 4). Through the technological mouthpieces of data: Thinking through the use of digital data in research with children. Virtual presentation at Beyond Giving Voice: Advancing theory and methodologies for qualitative research with children.

Rudkovska, A., & Facca, D. (2020, June 3-5). Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Considering the Ethical Implications of Mood Tracking Apps. Oral presentation at the Canadian Bioethics Society 31st Annual Conference, Toronto, ON. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19)

Facca, D., Smith, M., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., & Donelle, L. (2020, June 3-5). Big Data, Little Direction: Towards the Co-Production of Ethical Practice in Big Data Research with Minors. Oral presentation at the Canadian Bioethics Society 31st Annual Conference, Toronto, ON. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19)

Facca, D. (2020, June 1-3). iKnow: Towards a Co-designed Digital Health Literacy Assessment Tool for Children. Oral presentation at the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences Congress 2020, London, ON. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19)

Facca, D., Smith, M., Shelley, J., Lizotte, D., & Donelle, L. (2020, May 28). Big Data, Little Direction: Towards the Co-Production of Ethical Practice in Research with Minors. Oral presentation at the Child Health Symposium 2020, London, ON. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19)

Facca, D., Donelle, L., Burke, S., Hiebert, B., Bender, E., & Ling, S. (2020, May 28). Exploring Children’s Computer Literacy Through a Digital Health Literacy Lens. Oral presentation at the Child Health Symposium 2020, London, ON. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19)

Facca, D., Donelle, L., Burke, S., Hiebert, B., Bender, E., & Ling, S. (2020, May 7-8). “You have to be careful”: Examining Children’s Perspectives Related to Digital Device and Social Media Use Through a Digital Health Lens. Oral presentation at the Legacy 2020 Research Conference Honoring our Past, Creating our Future: Transforming Education, Services, Systems and Policies that Impact Health, London, ON. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19)

Facca, D. (2020, May 7-8). The 'Digitally Health Literate' Child: Towards a Co-Designed Assessment Tool for Children. Oral presentation at the Legacy 2020 Research Conference Honoring our Past, Creating our Future: Transforming Education, Services, Systems and Policies that Impact Health, London, ON. (Conference postponed due to COVID-19)

Facca, D. (2020, February 4). The ‘Digitally Health Literate Child’: Towards a Co-Designed Assessment Tool For Children. Oral presentation at the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Research Conference, London, ON.

Facca, D., Donelle, L., Burke, S., Hiebert, B., Bender, E., & Ling, S. (2019, April 7-11). An Exploratory Study of Digital Device Engagement, Social Media, and Wellbeing Among Young Children. Oral presentation at the 23^rd IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion, Rotorua, NZ.

Facca, D. (2017, November 2-4). Transitive Space and Embodied Reading: Negotiating Perceptual Vagueness in the Modern Novel as Pedagogical Practice. Oral presentation at the Matters of Sensation Interdisciplinary Graduate Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Poster Presentations

Facca, D., Donelle, L., Burke, S., Hiebert, B., Bender, E. (2018, May 17). An Exploratory Pilot Study on Digital Device Engagement, Social Media, and Child Wellbeing. Poster presentation at the Child Health Symposium 2018, London, ON.

Professional Reports 

Donelle, L., & Facca, D. (2019, March 27). Technology’s Influence on Growing Up (TIGU) Phase 1: Exploring the Link Between Technology Use and Health in Canadian Youth. Research Proposal presented to the Research Officer and Research Committee of the Thames Valley District School Board.

Facca, D. (2019, January 18). Exploring Screen Time and Loneliness Among Canadian Elementary and High-School Students. Research Proposal presented to the Research Officers of the London Catholic District School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board.

Facca, D. (2018, November 5). Literature Review: Ethics of Passive Data Collection with Minors. Research Report presented to the TIGU research team at The University of Western Ontario.

Facca, D. (2018, September 19). Ethics of Passive Data Collection Scoping Review Report. Research Report presented to the TIGU research team at The University of Western Ontario.

Facca, D. (2018, August 20). Overview of Survey Instruments. Research Report presented to the TIGU research team at The University of Western Ontario.

Facca, D., & Bender, E. (2018, February 10). Learning it Together (LiT) Research Report: Social Media Use Among Primary School Children. Research Report presented to the Learning it Together Executive Team at The University of Western Ontario.

Invited Talks 

Facca, D. (2021, March 22). What Does the Data Actually Say? Exploring the Dually Limited Nature of Digital Data in Qualitative Inquiry. Guest talk for Qualitative Query at McMaster University. 

Facca, D. (2019, March 14). Digital Marketing and Youth Health. Guest Lecture for Health Science 4120B, The University of Western Ontario.

Facca, D. (2019, March 7). Technology’s Impact on Children and Youth. Guest Lecture for Health Science 9632, The University of Western Ontario.

Facca, D. (2018, February 15). Connected Children: Exploring Habits, Reconsidering Health. Guest Lecture for Health Science 9632, The University of Western Ontario.

Background

To date, I have consistently served in community outreach programs and student associations during my time at Western. Throughout all four years of my BA, I volunteered with Learning it Together (LiT): a student-led health promotion mentorship program for elementary grade children in London, ON. In my fourth undergraduate year, I served as Director for LiT and restructured its programming to focus on digital literacy.

I continued to volunteer with LiT while completing my MA, in addition to serving as a Councillor for the Graduate English Society (GES) at the Society of Graduate Students (SOGS).

At the start of my doctoral studies, I served as a PhD Faculty Council Representative for the Graduate Health Information Science Student Association (GHISSA) and advocated for its membership at departmental meetings. During the second year of my doctoral studies, I served as President for GHISSA and worked with my colleagues to strengthen intra- and inter-program collaboration within the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS).

Currently, I am serving as SOGS Vice President Academic for the 2020-2021 year where I oversee graduate student issues such as academic appeals and policy, Teaching Assistant support, and professional development. My VP portfolio affords me the opportunity to sit on over 17 university-sanctioned academic committees which address initiatives related to open access publication, program development and assessment, convocation, professional development, remote proctoring, student data protection, among many others.

Positions

2020-21 Vice President Academic, SOGS

2019-20 President, GHISSA

2018-19 Faculty Council Representative, GHISSA

2016-18           Research Coordinator, LiT

2016-17           SOGS Councillor, GES 

2015-16           Program Director, LiT

2014-15           Program Administrator/Research Coordinator, LiT

2013-14           Assistant Team Leader, LiT

2012-13           Mentor, LiT

Education

2018—       Doctor of Philosophy, Health Information Science

                   Western University  

                   Supervisor: Dr. Lorie Donelle

2017           Master's Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction Collaborative Graduate Specialization 

                   Western University  

2017     Master of Arts, English Language and Literature 

                   Western University  

2016           Bachelor of Arts Honours, Major in English Language and Literature, Major in Criminology

                   Western University