Riley Tinlin

“I have always been interested in interdisciplinary study and CCT is a program that has mastered this.”

Academic Background: BA in Critical Media and Cultural Studies

Area of focus in CCT: Dissecting the interplay between media and public discourse by identifying the visual, rhetorical, and semiotic tools that shape our sociocultural landscape.

What did you do before CCT? I came to CCT directly after finishing my undergraduate degree where my primary focus of study was addressing the linguistic barriers within addiction treatment spaces, examining how language hinders comprehensive treatment for substance users, often leading to their dehumanization within both clinical and social contexts. My undergraduate thesis was a documentary film that discussed how the interaction of different marginalized identities (such as being a person of color or a queer person who uses drugs) prevents access to treatment spaces. Through a variety of both field experts and lived experiences, the film highlighted the myriad of factors that can lead to higher rates of substance abuse among marginalized communities, noting how new anti-queer legislation will directly lead to higher usage and mortality rates and the ways in which current systems lack the specific supports needed for these groups.

What activities do you participate in at CCT? I am the CCT Communications and Content Creation Assistant, which means I am responsible for managing and creating the content on the CCT social media pages and website. I am also involved with Gnovis, serving as a peer-reviewer for the 2024 Journal and as the audio-engineer on the Gnovis Podcast Team and am a teaching assistant for CCTP-5005: Introduction to CCT: Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods.

Why did you choose CCT? I have always been interested in interdisciplinary study and CCT is a program that has mastered this. Being able to approach my research interests through so many different perspectives from faculty who are experts in their fields has not only made me a stronger researcher but improved my intellectual confidence. I also love that CCT allows students to foster a sense of creativity in their studies, we’re constantly encouraged to try new things and play around with the ways we collect and disseminate information. At CCT, there is always something new to learn.

What surprised you about CCT? The sense of community! Both the students and the faculty are so approachable and really go out of their way to support you.