DAY 13 May 7, 2008

Podcasting & the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies

Understanding how podcasting works was covered in yesterday's blog. Today I want to discuss its relevance to Ukrainian Canadian culture, specifically in relation to the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies (CUCS). For the CUCS podcasting presents an opportunity to share even more material with an even wider audience. Technically, anyone in the world with access to a computer and an internet connection can log on to the CUCS web site, it is completely accessible. This is a fantastic stage to dispel myths and stereotypes about Ukrainian Canadians; to investigate specific subject areas of Ukrainian Canadian history and culture; and to create an online discourse about the CUCS and its aims. 

Here at the University of Manitoba we have the privilege of being home to many influential and esteemed professional academics involved in the field of Ukrainian Canadiana. In the department of history alone the U of M is home to Ukrainian Canadian professors such as Dr. Oleh W. Gerus, Dr. Stella Hryniuk, and Dr. Olexandr Shevchenko. In the Education Faculty there is Dr. Denis Hlynka. At St. Andrew's College is Canada's leading Ukrainian Canadian folklorist, Dr. Robert Klymasz. These professionals are valuable and unique resources that can be captured and communicated to a much wider audience, should the technology available be put to use. Podcasting is just one of these new technologies that could potentially bring voices like these to a new generation, and more importantly, to new audiences.