Mission
Based in Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, the Research on Comics, Con Events, and Transmedia Laboratory (RoCCET Lab) is a hub for interdisciplinary social-science research on comic books and related media. Grounded in the critical tradition of communication studies but embracing theoretical and methodological approaches from across the humanities and social sciences, our research examines the changing relationships between producers, intermediaries, and audiences in the contemporary popular media industries.
History
Building on the existing Comic Cons Research Project, the RoCCET Lab was established in 2019 by Professor Benjamin Woo on the basis of an Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Job Creation. The ERA program is designed to enable relatively early career researchers to recruit a team of “highly qualified personnel”; this award enabled the creation of the RoCCET Fellowships program, and the inaugural cohort of Fellows were recruited for the academic year beginning Fall 2020. This initial funding will last until 2025.
Values
¶ I want to be the very best, like no one ever was. Our research is often fun and sometimes even a little silly, but we believe that fun things are worth taking seriously. We read widely, consult broadly, and think deeply, striving for excellence in research and impact and upholding the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity.
¶ By your powers combined… We collaborate in a spirit of generosity and openness. More eyes and more ideas result in better work, especially when they help us see and think differently. Consequently, we commit to ensuring that there is always room for diverse voices and perspectives at the table and will proactively seek to recruit women, people of colour, and those who identify as LGBTQ2S+ as collaborators.
¶ With great power there must also come—great responsibility! Our work is collective and shared. No task is too menial nor above anyone’s paygrade. Guided by the principle of contributive justice, we strive to provide opportunities for all lab members to participate, develop skills, and realize their capabilities. We further commit to the fair evaluation of contributions and a fair distribution of both meaningful and tedious work.
¶ Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes! We believe that our work is important, but it is not more important than people. We commit to an ethic of care: we will prioritize the safety and welfare of our research participants, our fellow lab members, and ourselves; we will strive to maintain reasonable work–life balance and to model it for our colleagues; we will take time out to rest and to take care of the people who are important to us.
Logo
The RoCCET Lab’s logo was designed by Joel Nash.