Essays, Journalism, Opinion Editorials, and Podcasts
In addition to conducting academic research, I enjoy research and writing projects that transcend the boundaries of the academic / non-academic world and mobilize knowledge outside of the academy.
Much of this work focuses on issues of free expression, academic freedom, public accountability and transparency, the state of public discourse, and the right to know. I also have some experience in journalism, where I've expanded the reach and versatility of my research and writing.
I'm an occasional blogger at the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, occasional contributor to Sault This Week, publisher of Substack newsletter focused on my hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, and creator and host of two different podcasts (see below for podcast links).
You can find a selected assortment of my knowledge mobilization below, including podcasts and published work. These links don't include my newsletter (you can see those posts in the link above).
Much of this work focuses on issues of free expression, academic freedom, public accountability and transparency, the state of public discourse, and the right to know. I also have some experience in journalism, where I've expanded the reach and versatility of my research and writing.
I'm an occasional blogger at the Centre for Free Expression at Toronto Metropolitan University, occasional contributor to Sault This Week, publisher of Substack newsletter focused on my hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, and creator and host of two different podcasts (see below for podcast links).
You can find a selected assortment of my knowledge mobilization below, including podcasts and published work. These links don't include my newsletter (you can see those posts in the link above).
Podcasts
Free Expression: The Future of a Fundamental Freedom
This podcast series is an intimate look at one of the most controversial topics in Canadian public discourse at the moment: free expression. This project is hosted by the Centre for Constitutional Studies at the University of Alberta, with host Dax D'Orazio.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify, the first season of the podcast includes 11 episodes featuring in-depth interviews with a range of legal academics and experts. Blending academic insight with current affairs, the podcast will appeal to anyone interested in the law of free expression, and especially those wanting to make sense of contemporary politics.
The series addresses a number of important questions, including: Why is free expression so important for democratic societies? When can a state or community legitimately restrict expression? And why has debate about free expression become so polarized on university campuses and in society more broadly?
Season 2 of this podcast was recently released and you can read about it HERE.
This podcast series is an intimate look at one of the most controversial topics in Canadian public discourse at the moment: free expression. This project is hosted by the Centre for Constitutional Studies at the University of Alberta, with host Dax D'Orazio.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Spotify, the first season of the podcast includes 11 episodes featuring in-depth interviews with a range of legal academics and experts. Blending academic insight with current affairs, the podcast will appeal to anyone interested in the law of free expression, and especially those wanting to make sense of contemporary politics.
The series addresses a number of important questions, including: Why is free expression so important for democratic societies? When can a state or community legitimately restrict expression? And why has debate about free expression become so polarized on university campuses and in society more broadly?
Season 2 of this podcast was recently released and you can read about it HERE.
Extremism, Polarization, and the Future of Democracy
This podcast project, Extremism, Polarization, and the Future of Democracy, is hosted by the Centre for Constitutional Studies at the University of Alberta, with hosts Dax D'Orazio and Kaitie Jourdeuil (Doctoral Candidate), both in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University.
This podcast mini-series is comprised of seven episodes, six of which feature an in-depth interview with an expert. The series includes an introduction, and the first substantive episode features an interview with journalist and filmmaker Daniel Lombroso (The New Yorker).
The podcast was inspired by a course taught by D'Orazio in 2022, a third-year political theory course focused on the twin phenomena of extremism and polarization. Students read articles and watched documentaries, and then submitted questions in response to the material. Using these questions, common themes were found and scripts were created for interviewing the featured authors and filmmakers. This allowed for students to be included in the process of creating a podcast and to co-produce knowledge.
The series grapples with timely issues related to public discourse and will appeal to listeners outside of the academy.
You can read an article about the podcast in University Affairs HERE.
This podcast project, Extremism, Polarization, and the Future of Democracy, is hosted by the Centre for Constitutional Studies at the University of Alberta, with hosts Dax D'Orazio and Kaitie Jourdeuil (Doctoral Candidate), both in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University.
This podcast mini-series is comprised of seven episodes, six of which feature an in-depth interview with an expert. The series includes an introduction, and the first substantive episode features an interview with journalist and filmmaker Daniel Lombroso (The New Yorker).
The podcast was inspired by a course taught by D'Orazio in 2022, a third-year political theory course focused on the twin phenomena of extremism and polarization. Students read articles and watched documentaries, and then submitted questions in response to the material. Using these questions, common themes were found and scripts were created for interviewing the featured authors and filmmakers. This allowed for students to be included in the process of creating a podcast and to co-produce knowledge.
The series grapples with timely issues related to public discourse and will appeal to listeners outside of the academy.
You can read an article about the podcast in University Affairs HERE.
Published Work
2025. “Access Denied: Health Ministry Refuses to Release Records.” Sault This Week. February 24.
2025. “Great News for Sault Ste. Marie: The CBC is (Finally) Coming.” Sault This Week. February 3.
2024. “What if Trudeau Got His Ass Kicked?” Sault This Week. December 30.
2024. “Does Algoma Public Health Think We’re Stupid?” Sault This Week. November 25.
2024. “Well Played, Mr. Ferrari, Very Well Played.” Sault This Week. October 14.
2024. “Proposed Gateway Redevelopment Betrays a Simple Life Lesson.” Sault This Week. October 1.
2024. “Canadian Journalism Is In Deep Trouble – Academics Can Help.” University Affairs. August 14.
2024. “ASI Pollution Records Claimed Not About Public Health or Safety.” Sault This Week. May 28.
2024 [with Kaitie Jourdeuil]. "Podcasting is Research Too." University Affairs. January 4.
2023. "Campus Tensions and the Mideast Crisis: Will Ontario and Alberta's 'Chicago Principles' on University Free Expression Stand?" The Conversation. November 8.
2023. "Splash pad highlights need for better air pollution research." Sault This Week. October 16.
2023. "In a drug-abuse epidemic, where does problem gambling stand?" Sault This Week. August 21.
2023. "Timothy Mitchell Lawsuit Against Sault Police Quietly Ends." Sault This Week. July 17.
2023. "Ontario Must Make Judicial Appointments Process More Accountable." Centre for Free Expression. June 26.
2023. "Sault PUC Doesn't Get High Marks for Transparency." Sault This Week. June 20.
2023. "Tenacity of Sault's Karen Pietkiewicz Moved Gov't to Action." Sault This Week. April 24.
2023. "Steel Town (Still) Down?" Sault This Week. April 10.
2023. "Regulators Cut A Deal with Ontario Steel Mill Over Carcinogens." Canada's National Observer. March 15.
2022. "The Crazy Train of Corporate Welfare." Sault This Week. January 31.
2022. "Shoemaker Reflects on Campaign Success, Current Priorities." Sault This Week. December 30.
2022. "Neighbours Have Their Say on Formal Hospital Site." Sault This Week. December 19.
2022. "Rick Webb Reflects on His Time on Police Services Board." Sault This Week. November 7.
2022. "Industrial Pollution Hinders Development at Mill Market Site." Sault This Week. October 3.
2022. "Sault Ste. Marie's War on the Poor." Sault This Week. August 30.
2022. "Free Expression Walks Into a Bar, Part 2: How Stand-up Comedy Became the Target of Censorship." Centre for Free Expression. June 24.
2022. "The Importance of Free Expression." Sault This Week. June 20.
2022. "Details Few About Cyberattack Against Sault Police." Sault This Week. June 13.
2022. "Laurentian University Debacle Should Be An Election Issue." Sault This Week. May 22.
2022. "What Killed the Downtown? Reflections on 'Plazagate.'" Sault This Week. May 10.
2022. "ASI Community Liaison Rep Resigns." Sault This Week. May 3.
2022. "PUC Plan Could Aid Noront Project." Sault This Week. April 12.
2022. "Free Expression Walks into a Bar: The Case of Mike Ward and the Future of Canadian Comedy: Part 1." Centre for Free Expression. March 28.
2022. "To Be Informed." Sault This Week. March 8.
2022. "Police Board Mix Under New Rules to Reflect Community." Sault This Week. February 28.
2022. "Where We Go From Here: The Meaning of the Ottawa Trucker Protest." Sault This Week. February 21.
2022. "Algoma Steel Charged for Alleged Wastewater Discharge to St. Mary's River." Soo Today. February 23.
2022. "Environment Ministry Unlikely to Sanction Algoma Steel." Sault This Week. February 7.
2022. "What's in the Air?" Sault This Week. January 18.
2022. "Finding Silver Inside the Cloud." Sault This Week. January 4.
2021. "Local Anti-vaxxers Adopt More Confrontational Stance." Sault This Week. December 21.
2021. "Life Without Laurentian: The Case for (Northern) Higher Education." Sault Online. April 9.
2021. "To which normal should we return?" Sault Online. March 13.
2021. "What do you think about Trump?" Sault Online. March 6.
2021. "Free Expression on Campus: Assessing the Alberta Ministerial Directive." Centre for Free Expression. March 25.
2020. “The Complexity of Protecting Free Speech on Campus.” Policy Options. January 10.
2020. “Freedom of Information, Universities & Transparency: Lessons from Emily Eaton and the University of Regina.” Centre for Free Expression. November 12.
2020. “Freedom of Expression, Misinformation, and Anti-vaxxers: The Right Thing to Do is Not Obvious.” Centre for Free Expression. March 25.
2020. “Gender-critical Views No Grounds for Stifling Academic Freedom.” Edmonton Journal. June 13.
2019. “UCP Promises Would Imperil Free Speech.” Edmonton Journal. May 14.
2025. “Great News for Sault Ste. Marie: The CBC is (Finally) Coming.” Sault This Week. February 3.
2024. “What if Trudeau Got His Ass Kicked?” Sault This Week. December 30.
2024. “Does Algoma Public Health Think We’re Stupid?” Sault This Week. November 25.
2024. “Well Played, Mr. Ferrari, Very Well Played.” Sault This Week. October 14.
2024. “Proposed Gateway Redevelopment Betrays a Simple Life Lesson.” Sault This Week. October 1.
2024. “Canadian Journalism Is In Deep Trouble – Academics Can Help.” University Affairs. August 14.
2024. “ASI Pollution Records Claimed Not About Public Health or Safety.” Sault This Week. May 28.
2024 [with Kaitie Jourdeuil]. "Podcasting is Research Too." University Affairs. January 4.
2023. "Campus Tensions and the Mideast Crisis: Will Ontario and Alberta's 'Chicago Principles' on University Free Expression Stand?" The Conversation. November 8.
2023. "Splash pad highlights need for better air pollution research." Sault This Week. October 16.
2023. "In a drug-abuse epidemic, where does problem gambling stand?" Sault This Week. August 21.
2023. "Timothy Mitchell Lawsuit Against Sault Police Quietly Ends." Sault This Week. July 17.
2023. "Ontario Must Make Judicial Appointments Process More Accountable." Centre for Free Expression. June 26.
2023. "Sault PUC Doesn't Get High Marks for Transparency." Sault This Week. June 20.
2023. "Tenacity of Sault's Karen Pietkiewicz Moved Gov't to Action." Sault This Week. April 24.
2023. "Steel Town (Still) Down?" Sault This Week. April 10.
2023. "Regulators Cut A Deal with Ontario Steel Mill Over Carcinogens." Canada's National Observer. March 15.
2022. "The Crazy Train of Corporate Welfare." Sault This Week. January 31.
2022. "Shoemaker Reflects on Campaign Success, Current Priorities." Sault This Week. December 30.
2022. "Neighbours Have Their Say on Formal Hospital Site." Sault This Week. December 19.
2022. "Rick Webb Reflects on His Time on Police Services Board." Sault This Week. November 7.
2022. "Industrial Pollution Hinders Development at Mill Market Site." Sault This Week. October 3.
2022. "Sault Ste. Marie's War on the Poor." Sault This Week. August 30.
2022. "Free Expression Walks Into a Bar, Part 2: How Stand-up Comedy Became the Target of Censorship." Centre for Free Expression. June 24.
2022. "The Importance of Free Expression." Sault This Week. June 20.
2022. "Details Few About Cyberattack Against Sault Police." Sault This Week. June 13.
2022. "Laurentian University Debacle Should Be An Election Issue." Sault This Week. May 22.
2022. "What Killed the Downtown? Reflections on 'Plazagate.'" Sault This Week. May 10.
2022. "ASI Community Liaison Rep Resigns." Sault This Week. May 3.
2022. "PUC Plan Could Aid Noront Project." Sault This Week. April 12.
2022. "Free Expression Walks into a Bar: The Case of Mike Ward and the Future of Canadian Comedy: Part 1." Centre for Free Expression. March 28.
2022. "To Be Informed." Sault This Week. March 8.
2022. "Police Board Mix Under New Rules to Reflect Community." Sault This Week. February 28.
2022. "Where We Go From Here: The Meaning of the Ottawa Trucker Protest." Sault This Week. February 21.
2022. "Algoma Steel Charged for Alleged Wastewater Discharge to St. Mary's River." Soo Today. February 23.
2022. "Environment Ministry Unlikely to Sanction Algoma Steel." Sault This Week. February 7.
2022. "What's in the Air?" Sault This Week. January 18.
2022. "Finding Silver Inside the Cloud." Sault This Week. January 4.
2021. "Local Anti-vaxxers Adopt More Confrontational Stance." Sault This Week. December 21.
2021. "Life Without Laurentian: The Case for (Northern) Higher Education." Sault Online. April 9.
2021. "To which normal should we return?" Sault Online. March 13.
2021. "What do you think about Trump?" Sault Online. March 6.
2021. "Free Expression on Campus: Assessing the Alberta Ministerial Directive." Centre for Free Expression. March 25.
2020. “The Complexity of Protecting Free Speech on Campus.” Policy Options. January 10.
2020. “Freedom of Information, Universities & Transparency: Lessons from Emily Eaton and the University of Regina.” Centre for Free Expression. November 12.
2020. “Freedom of Expression, Misinformation, and Anti-vaxxers: The Right Thing to Do is Not Obvious.” Centre for Free Expression. March 25.
2020. “Gender-critical Views No Grounds for Stifling Academic Freedom.” Edmonton Journal. June 13.
2019. “UCP Promises Would Imperil Free Speech.” Edmonton Journal. May 14.
