Monica Yousofi is a PhD student at the University of British Columbia and holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication from Simon Fraser University. Her research examines the intersections of migration, digital media, technology, and social justice, with a particular focus on how marginalized communities use digital spaces to build community, resist exclusion, and advocate for social change. Monica recently completed her master’s thesis on Afghan refugee women in Canada, exploring how digital platforms facilitate transnational activism, community support, and advocacy for girls’ and women’s education in Afghanistan. Her broader research interests include digital activism, artificial intelligence, platform governance, affect, and the social implications of emerging technologies.

Alongside her doctoral studies, Monica is Lab Manager at the Digital Democracies Institute at Simon Fraser University, an international hub for multidisciplinary research in, and the creation of, democratic technologies and cultures. She is also committed to teaching and community engagement, including her work with Partnership Afghanistan Canada, where she develops and teaches research methods courses for university students in Afghanistan. Monica is dedicated to advancing equitable and socially just approaches to technology, education, and public life.