My research intends to investigate the trance-like state of intentional yet mindless scrolling through social media or other forms of online content. Through exploratory qualitative inquiry, I seek to reveal habitual phone use with the motivation to have the mind go blank as a patterned social response caused by societal pressures, rather than a mere lack of individual discipline. With screen time across the globe steadily increasing, this research will aim to develop digital sociology concepts that can inform future research and policy on digital media use. My interest in digital sociology is broad, making me flexible in creating and executing my research project.

My research focuses on how to reduce youth recidivism rates by developing individualized, youth‑centered rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system, tailored directly by the lived experiences of previously incarcerated youth. Instead of relying on the current standardized, one‑size‑fits‑all approach, my approach recognizes that justice‑involved youth face diverse social, psychological, and structural challenges that require individualized supports to meaningfully disrupt cycles of reoffending. By centering youth lived experiences, my research aims to create knowledge that can guide more effective reintegration strategies within Canada’s youth justice system.

Biography

Aiden's doctoral work examines how humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping Canadian public understanding of these technologies, reproducing dominant sociotechnical arrangements while drawing on, yet often distorting, alt-right visions. Relying on qualitative methods, this exploratory study seeks to better understand contemporary sociotechnical imaginaries, specifically the processes and implications for Canadian development. The project will map the discursive landscape surrounding these technologies to uncover their role in shaping human-technological trajectories and, possibly, in perpetuating inequities.  Ultimately, the goal is to produce an adaptive framework that addresses contemporary sociotechnical conditions and challenges Big Tech hegemony.

Currently my research interests relate to examining transformative justice as a way to address female offending. While transformative justice is not a new concept, its popularity has been steadily increasing in recent years as a means to reduce criminal behaviour through addressing the root cause of criminality, alternatively to state-sanctioned punishment. With debate surrounding its effectiveness in successfully repairing harm and reducing recidivism, I would like to explore how using the lens of transformative justice has the potential to reduce and prevent crime through a nuanced understanding of the social and structural conditions which allow it to persist.