Iftin Abshir

Ph.D. student
iftinabshir@ucla.edu
www.bacheloredgic.wordpress.com

Iftin Abshir is continually drawn to explorations of ontological and phenomenological means: What is the essence of media and how does it impact society? In her doctoral studies, Abshir is exploring two projects looking at the intersection of digital media, society and our everyday lives with particular emphasis on virtual dating, both in reality television dating shows and virtually through dating apps such as Tinder.

Research Interests

Television studies, fan studies, digital humanities, new media and influencer culture

Education

M.A., Cinema and Media Studies, University of Southern California
Graduate Certificate, Business of Entertainment, SCA/Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
B.A., Screenwriting, Loyola Marymount University
B.S., Chemistry, Loyola Marymount University; Minors: Film Studies & Theatre

Presentations

“A Beauty Guru Made Me Buy It: Consumerism and Participation in the YouTube Beauty Community”
Panel: Internet Cultures, Popular Cultural Association 2021 Virtual Conference (June 2021).

“Somalia, The Nation of Poets: Diasporic Culture in the Age of Online Communities”
Panel: Diaspora and Trauma, Society of Cinema and Media Studies 2018 Conference, Toronto, Canada (March 2018).

“Somalia, The Nation of Poets”
Panel: Literature and Other Arts, Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association 2017 Conference, Honolulu, HI (November 2017).