Virginia McKendry

Associate faculty

Communication & Culture
Environment & Sustainability

Dr. Virginia McKendry is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work traces the ways cultural systems of meaning are transmitted and (trans)formed through everyday texts, images, conversations, practices, institutions and material objects. Her graduate research in British social and cultural history drew substantially from the fields of visual communication and cultural studies, as well as critical theories of gender and class. Her interest in narrative, generative communication and complex systems frameworks connects her various research interests, including: the meaning of monarchy in modern age, women's experiences of public leadership, the history of women in Canadian public relations, and collaborative forms of leadership and cultural development. Her research draws on a range of qualitative methods - from archival research to storytelling and arts-based interventions, to cooperative action research. 

As an educator, she has dedicated her career to developing and delivering adult learning experiences that integrate academic, professional and ethical mastery. Currently, she teaches graduate-level courses in research methods and climate communication. 

Experience

McKendry earned a master's degree in Women's Studies (SFU) in 1991 and a PhD in British History (York) in 1994. Before joining Royal Roads in 2010, she served as a core faculty member at Wilfrid Laurier University and as a contract faculty member at Fanshawe College.  She then served for 11 years as a core faculty member and program head in the School of Communication and Culture at RRU.  

She retired in 2021, but continues to work part-time as a course developer, instructor, thesis advisor, and researcher. Currently, she is conducting research into how Clean Language (David Grove's work) and emergent knowledge processes impact student learning. Her work outside of the academy has included applied communication roles in web development, public relations, course development for private companies, and citizen engagement initiatives aimed at preventing violence against women and children. 

 

Education

1998
PhD in History

York University

1993
Master of Arts in Women’s Studies

Simon Fraser University

1991
Bachelor of General Studies

Simon Fraser University