The MDI Graduate Scholars’ Association represents students in the Media & Design Innovation doctoral (PhD) program at TMU. We support communication between students and program leadership, advocate for a strong and equitable graduate experience, and seek to create opportunities for scholarly exchange, professional development, and community across cohorts. We are registered as a Student Group with the TMU Graduate Student Union.

A diverse group of students engaging in discussion inside a college lecture hall.(Image: Yan Krukau via Pexels.com)

A diverse group of college students chatting outside a modern university building. (Image: RDNE Stock Project via Pexels.com)

Diverse group of friends laughing and enjoying coffee in a cozy café setting. (Image: RDNE Stock Project via Pexels.com)

Students and teacher engaged in an active discussion inside a bright university library. (Image: Kampus Production via Pexels.com)

What We Do...

Diverse group of students collaborating around a laptop. Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Advocacy and Representation

We bring student perspectives to program leadership and university committees, communicate shared concerns, and advocate for transparent, equitable, and accessible program practices.

Community and Connection

We create opportunities for students across cohorts to meet, exchange knowledge, and build a stronger interdisciplinary graduate community, including an annual fall gathering.

Students walking through a university campus archway. Photo by Brelyn Bashrum on Unsplash

Orientation and Cohort Support

We welcome incoming students through an annual summer orientation and connect them with peers, practical program knowledge, and resources for beginning the PhD.

20260415_MDI_NiaCampbell_01_GradRendezvous_600x400

Academic Programming

We organize scholarly events, workshops, peer exchanges, and the annual Winter Research Symposium, providing opportunities for students to present work, discuss methods, and learn across disciplines.

Association Events

Please make sure you are subscribed to our Emailing List to recieve announcements of upcoming events and meetings.

General Events
Summer Social
Saturday August 29th, 2026
See Email for Details!

Association Meetings

Fall Executive Meeting
Fall General & Exec. Meeting

Winter Executive Meeting
Winter General & Exec. Meeting

Association Elections Schedule
for the 2027 - 2028 Academic Year

Nomination Period:
March 1st to 16th, 2027

Voting Period:
March 19th to 26th, 2027

Voted-in Officers Take Office:
July 1st, 2027

Past Events

Past Meetings

Past Elections

Shape the MDI Student Experience

The Association gives MDI students a formal structure through which to raise concerns, propose activities, contribute to program discussions, and support one another. Participation can include attending an event, sharing feedback, joining a working group, supporting the annual symposium, or serving on the executive.

Ideas from students are always welcome. Contact us to suggest an initiative, identify an issue, or find a way to become involved.