Laura Visan

2013 - Freelance Consultant , Research and Communication

Toronto, Canada

-Communications-trained researcher, with seven years of experience in: policy research; preparation of syntheses, research reports and literature reviews; designing and implementing qualitative research; interpreting quantitative research data.
-Six years of teaching experience in two Canadian universities;
-Willing to relocate

Contact Laura Visan
Area of Expertise:
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
  • Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child
Professional Experience:

2013 -
Freelance Consultant - Research and Communication

2006 – 2012
Lecturer, Teaching Assistant – York University and Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
-Held assignments in: Introduction to Urban Studies; Introduction to Human Rights; Introduction to Communications; Families; Children’s Fiction (Ryerson University); Fairy Tales and Fantasies (Ryerson University).

2011
Researcher - CERA, the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation, Toronto (pro-bono position)
-Undertook a comparative analysis of Census Tracts in Toronto, to identify inequalities in housing access for newcomers

2009 – 2010
Administrative Assistant – Monitor for the OLC (Open Language Centre), York University, Toronto

2007
Graduate Assistant – Women’s Studies Department, York University
-Performed office, administrative and archival tasks as required by the Department Administrative Coordinator

2004-2006
Research Assistant - Brock University, St. Catharines ON
Conducted extensive archival research, reviewing the St. Catharines Standard editions from 1880 to 1900

2003- 2004
Project Coordinator – Youth for Youth Foundation, Bucharest
Coordinated the project “Prevention of HIV / AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Romanian Schools and Military Units”, financed by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

2002-2003
Public Relations Coordinator and Copywriter - Prospero, Bucharest

2000-2001
Public Relations Assistant
The Romanian Association for International Road Transport

Education:

PhD Communication and Culture - York University Toronto Canada, 2012
-investigated the civic participation practices and network development strategies of Romanian immigrants from Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area;
-designed and conducted qualitative research: semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 30 persons (approximately 50 questions per interview)

MA Communication, Popular Culture and Film - Brock University, St. Catharines, ON Canada, 2006
-conducted qualitative research: open-ended, semi-structured interviews

MA American Studies - University of Bucharest, Romania, 2003

BA Romanian and English - University of Bucharest

Affiliations and Achievements:

PUBLICATIONS (selected)

-“Creating Social Capital Resources: A Case Study of Romanian Immigrants in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area”. Working Papers series no. 93 / 2012, CERIS, the Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement”
available online at: http://www.ceris.metropolis.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/WP93_Visan.pdf

-“Partially Color– Rethinking Exterior and Interior Spaces in Communist Romania” – Anthropology of Eastern Europe Review, Vol. 29, No 2 / Fall 2011, 51-66;
available online at: http://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/aeer/

- “Houses that Cry: Online Civic Participation in Post-Communist Romania” – McMaster Journal of
Communication, Vol. 7, Issue 1, 2011; available online at: http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/mjc/vol7/iss1/3/

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS (selected)

-“Romanian Immigrants in Toronto and Civic Participation” (the role of online communities in mobilizing civic participation). Poster presentation at Future Immigration Policies: Challenges and Opportunities for Canada -The 14th National Metropolis Conference, Toronto, February 29th- March 3rd 2012
-“Citizenship and Immigrant Participation in a Global City: Bridging the gap between new elite and underprivileged citizens”. Presented at Migration, Citizenship and Inclusion: Redefining Boundaries and Borders - CERIS Graduate Student Conference, Toronto, April 18th 2009
-“Proud to Be Romanian?” Presented at Rethinking the Mosaic: Immigration, Settlement, and the Lived Experience - CERIS Graduate Student Conference, Toronto, April 17th 2008
- “The Social Non-Cohesiveness of the Romanian Immigrants to Canada”. Presented at Expanding the Debate: Multiple Perspectives on Immigration to Canada -The 10th National Metropolis Conference, Halifax, April 3rd – April 6th 2008
- “The Strawberry-Flavoured Spain”. Presented at Global Tensions, Global Possibilities, McMaster University - Hamilton, September 21th – 23th 2007
- “Pray Together, Stay Together?” Presented at Exploring Canada's Diversity, Today and Tomorrow The 9th National Metropolis Conference, Toronto, March 1st –March 4th 2007
_________________________________________
VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE

2011
-Social media contributor - “Marshall McLuhan 100” project
2011
-Editorial intern with the Communication Department of Environmental Defence Canada
2005 – 2007
-Volunteer – Red Cross Canada, York region
-Acted as adult advisor for a group of young volunteers (aged 14 to 25) on a landmine awareness campaign
-Supported them in preparing fundraising campaigns and a major outdoor event
-Provided orientations and gave presentations for potential volunteers
-Promoted the services offered by Red Cross to various target groups: seniors, newcomers and teenagers
-Provided office and administrative support
Awarded “Milestone Award” in appreciation of service to the Canadian Red Cross Society

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Internships / Fellowships

Years of Experience:

5-10 years

Highest Qualification:

Doctorate

Languages:

English, French, Romanian

Nationality:

Canada , Romania

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