Past MDI Events
The MDI Graduate Scholars' Association organizes academic and social events that bring students together across cohorts, support research exchange, and create opportunities to connect outside the formal structure of the doctoral program. They also support and participate in student focused events organized by the program administration and leadership team.
Please find below an archive of previous events run by or involving MDI Students.
MDI Symposium 2026
Toronto Metropolitan University
May 2026
The 2026 MDI Symposium brought members of the Media & Design Innovation community together in The Catalyst for an opportunity to share research, discuss work in progress, and exchange ideas across the program's diverse areas of study and practice.
The symposium provided a forum for students to learn more about one another's research and to strengthen connections across MDI cohorts. The Symposium was organized by the Media and Design Innovation program administration team along with student volunteers.
Winter 2026 End-of-Term Social
Mick E. Fynn's, Carlton Street
May 2026
MDI students marked the end of the Winter term with an informal gathering at Mick E. Fynn's Irish pub on Carlton Street. The social provided an opportunity to reconnect after the academic term, welcome conversation across cohorts, and spend time together outside the university.
Special thanks to Kate for helping to organize!
Fall 2025 End-of-Term Social
Godspeed Brewery
December 2025
The Fall 2025 end-of-term social brought together members of the wider MDI community at Godspeed Brewery for an evening of food, conversation, and connection.
Open to students at all stages of the PhD program, as well as MDI faculty, professors, and staff, the gathering offered an informal opportunity to celebrate the end of the term, reconnect across cohorts, and spend time together outside the usual academic setting.
Fall 2025 First-Year Cohort Connector
Danforth Bowl
December 2025
Before the broader end-of-term gathering, first-year MDI students came together at Danforth Bowl to mark the completion of their first semester in the program.
This event gave new students an opportunity to connect outside the classroom over a Canadian classic: five-pin bowling in an authentic retro bowling alley, before heading into the Winter break. It provided an informal space to strengthen relationships within the incoming cohort and reflect on their first term in the PhD program.