Kaitlynn Mendes, PhD, is a Professor of Sociology and Canada Research Chair in Inequality and Gender at Western University, Canada. A leading voice on how digital technologies shape gender-based harm, she researches online abuse, sexual violence, and youth digital culture — from #MeToo activism to emerging risks like deepfakes and sextortion. She is Interim Academic Director of CREVAWC (2026-2027), leads the DIY: Digital Safety project and directs the Gender, Equity, Media, and Society (GEMS) Research Lab. Her work bridges academic research and real-world impact, informing policy, schools, and public understanding of how young people navigate life online.