Abstract: Yellowface and whitewashing have a long history in United States (U.S.) media, which are then perpetuated globally through cultural imperialism/media imperialism (CI/MI). Despite improvements to representation in live action films, culturally inauthentic casting appears slower to change in the realm of animation. This research sought to explore how audiences perceive animated Asian and Pacific Islander (API) characters who are dubbed with voices from non-API actors in select films produced by Studio Ghibli. To answer this research question, 69 participants completed a qualitative survey in which they provided their thoughts on the relationship between voice actors, animated characters, and accurate racial/ethnic representation. Findings demonstrate three main responses when asked about the casting of authentic voice actors for animated characters: problematic (e.g., the voice actor should match the race/ethnicity of the character), unproblematic (e.g., the voice actor does not need to match the race/ethnicity of the animated character and should be cast based on “talent”), and complicated (e.g., factors like prioritizing live action representation and the consideration of business play a role in perceptions of voice actors). From these findings, I argue people’s perceptions of the importance of cultural authenticity in animation can be attributed to one of three factors: (1) the prevalence of visuals in the film medium, (2) the perceived inferiority of animated media compared to live action media, or (3) the effectiveness of CI/MI.

Bio: Matt Jardin is an Emmy®-nominated filmmaker and writer based in Anchorage, Alaska. Born in Juneau, Alaska, to Filipino immigrant parents, he developed a passion for media and storytelling at a young age. As Matt grew older, that passion expanded into sharing more diverse perspectives. He received his undergraduate degree in marketing and management from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2010 before jumping right into the marketing and communication career field. As a University of Alaska Fairbanks professional communication graduate student, Matt seeks to broadly examine the intersection of culture and communication. Specifically, he is interested in building on his professional, artistic, and cultural experience to study the dynamic between mass communication, racial identity, and social justice. When not busy with school, work, or art, Matt is spending time with his wife, son, and dog, or organizing local filmmaking events in the community.

Abstract: This paper presents a comparative analysis of the storytelling approaches employed by Indigenous podcasters and the most popular True Crime podcasts to see how their approaches contribute to the conversation surrounding murdered and missing Indigenous women (MMIW). To get a better understanding of the role of podcasters in narratives about MMIW, this research used content analysis of true crime podcasts focused on MMIW (N=14) from self-identified Indigenous hosts (N=15) and the most popular podcasts in Western culture (N=21). Findings from this analysis resulted in the development of two identities: Indigenous Storytellers and Contemporary Podcasters. Theoretically, this paper contributes a deeper understanding of storytelling dynamics within diverse cultural frameworks and identifies how podcasts can serve as valuable sites of disruption. Practically, this paper provides valuable insights for practitioners and scholars engaged in the production and analysis of True Crime narratives to consider the importance of culturally sensitive storytelling.

Bio: Marissa is a lifelong Alaskan, born in Fairbanks, and spent her summers in the coastal town of Cordova with her grandparents, who were commercial fishermen. Proud to be fully Alaskan educated, she received all of her schooling in the state. Marissa is currently completing her master’s degree in the One Health program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she also earned her undergraduate degree in biology. She is deeply passionate about the intersections of public health, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.

Marissa’s career aspirations focus on global public health outreach and policy, with a particular emphasis on community healing and wellness. She is committed to addressing health disparities in underserved populations and advocating for policies that promote holistic well-being. Her upbringing and experiences across Alaskan communities have instilled in her a strong belief in culturally informed, community-driven health solutions.

Throughout her academic journey, Marissa has developed a deep appreciation for the role of cultural understanding in public health initiatives. She recognizes the power of community-driven solutions and is determined to make a lasting impact on global health. By combining her scientific expertise with a compassionate approach to wellness and healing, Marissa is dedicated to advancing public health and improving lives in communities around the world.

Abstract: This study explored United States (U.S.) media outlets’ narrative coverage of the 2024 Texas border crisis at Eagle Pass and its role on people’s attitudes toward immigration. A qualitative analysis of ten media outlets on YouTube (e.g., three videos per outlet n=30) with left, center, and right-leaning bias, as well as the top three comments under each video (n=90), sought to understand how the narrative of the incident was created and how people reacted to the different narratives presented. Findings demonstrate that media outlets use powerful visuals and language (e.g., extremist rhetoric versus neutral language) to cultivate strategic narratives related to immigration. As a result, commenters often parroted the language used by media outlets that aligned with their self-identified political party to show their (dis)agreement with media outlets narratives of the event. Further, it was identified that self-identified immigrants shared negative sentiments about those interested in immigrating to the U.S., creating an “us versus them” mentality. From these findings, I underscore the critical role media narratives play in shaping public discourse and attitudes toward immigrants legal or illegal through four key extensions: (1) when considering the intersection of immigration and power, oftentimes negative stereotypes and portrayals of immigrants from right-leaning media outlets are based in racism and colonialism, (2) while left-leaning outlets took a neutral narrative stance, taking a neutral stance or sharing both sides of an argument can unintentionally further harmful anti-immigration narratives, (3) the terms immigrant/immigration have been co-opted from neutral to negative showing a significant shift in discourse related to immigration, and (4) the U.S.-Mexico “border” has become a new linguistic space of oppression that has far reaching consequences outside of the tangible border space.

Bio: Anne Moore is a communication scholar and non-profit consultant deeply committed to social justice. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master’s in International Relations. Anne was born and raised in the mountains of Guatemala, lived in six different cities worldwide, and traveled to 40 countries. She migrated to the United States in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and now lives in Alaska. She draws inspiration from the state’s natural beauty and diverse communities. Her academic and professional work focuses on working with historically marginalized communities across the United States. Anne is working on her master’s thesis, which explores the role of social media, particularly TikTok, in shaping immigration narratives from Latin America to the United States. Her research involves qualitative analysis and examines these narratives’ power dynamics, opportunities, and challenges. This work is deeply informed by her background as a migrant and her extensive experience working in the non-profit sector with immigrant communities.

Anne brings a unique perspective to communication studies, combining her lived experience with a rigorous academic approach to understanding the intersection of digital media, immigration, and equity. She is fluent in English and Spanish and loves learning new languages; she studied Arabic for two years and loves diverse cultures.

Abstract: This qualitative study explores the influence of gender on communication dynamics from the perspective of the coaching staff of a coed rifle team. Focusing on the communication and perceptions of the coaching staff, the research investigates how gender shapes communication patterns, roles, and power dynamics in this unique sporting context. This study employs semi-structured interviews and a narrative approach to content analysis within a constructivist paradigm. These methods allow for a nuanced exploration of participants' perspectives and experiences, facilitating rich insights into the impact of gender on communication dynamics. Analysis of semi-structured interviews with two coaching staff members revealed the manifestation of socialized gender norms. The male coach exhibited communication patterns aligned with masculine norms, while the female coach demonstrated feminine norms. Both coaches acknowledged gender's influence on communication dynamics, with the male perceiving minimal impact and the female perceiving a moderate impact. These findings align with existing literature on socialized gender norms, underscoring the complex interplay between gender identities and communication styles. The contrasting perceptions of gender’s impact on communication highlights the importance of gender diversity and identifies the ongoing influence of socialized gender norms and gender-based stereotyping.

Bio: Graham Sachtleben is a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, pursuing a degree in Communication. Born in Petersburg, Alaska, Graham has cultivated a passion for sports and a deep connection to his community.

His athletic journey includes playing and coaching soccer at the collegiate and youth levels. Prior to joining the University of Alaska Fairbanks athletic department, Graham served as the Director of Camps and Tournaments for a non-profit sports organization in Dayton, OH. In this role, he led a team in developing accessible programs for community members.

As a communication graduate student, Graham is particularly interested in how gender, culture, and social roles shape communication within the context of sports. He believes sports can be a powerful force for unity and awareness, and is committed to exploring ways to expand and enhance communication channels within athletic communities.

When not immersed in his studies or work, Graham enjoys spending time outdoors with his fiancée Maria and their golden retriever Atlas.