Student Speaks at Canadian House of Commons

on the potential harms of social media

UHI Perth student Naomi Holland was recently invited to speak before the Canadian House of Commons on the potential harms of social media. 

Naomi, studying MSc Applied Social Sciences: Globalisation & Crime, delivered a powerful five-minute testimony to the Heritage Committee, followed by an extensive two-hour Q&A session. Her contribution highlighted critical issues surrounding social media platforms and their impact on society, drawing on evidence-based arguments and insights developed during her postgraduate studies. 

Reflecting on the experience, Naomi credited her MSc programme for equipping her with the skills and confidence to take part in such an important international discussion. 

“The opportunity I had was an extension of the MSc. Speaking in classes, formulating reasonable responses to tutorial tasks, and making evidence-based arguments really helped prepare me for this moment,” Naomi said. 

Dr Claire Taylor, Programme Leader for the course, expressed her pride in Naomi’s achievement: “It’s always inspiring to see our students applying what they’ve learned in real-world contexts. Naomi’s involvement in this global conversation demonstrates the value and impact of the skills developed through our programme.” 

The recording of Naomi’s presentation can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqu6MIjGOe8