My research explores how language plays an integral part in the processes of constructing individual and group identities. The focus of my current work is on personal names. As symbols of identity, I investigate how names influence self-perception and the unequal treatment of people whose names do not fit into the legal, institutional and conventional frameworks for the structure, spelling and pronunciation of names in Canada. Names are especially important in issues related to immigration, social integration and belonging. One aim of this research is to promote understanding, respect and equality in a linguistically and culturally diverse society. I am also interested in the processes surrounding the use of personal names in public places, such as for naming streets and schools. Controversies about particular name choices can make visible social structures and cultural values. See here to learn more about my research and for other interesting studies, news articles and videos about names.

Another topic that has captured my research interest is verbal art. Working with undergraduate students, I have been analyzing data sets of verbal art centring on experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and racism, posted in online platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. We are investigating the relationship between performers and audiences in the online environment, and the role of verbal art in times of social upheaval. I have published one article on this topic so far:
Pennesi, Karen (2021) “What Does a Pandemic Sound Like: The Emergence of COVID Verbal Art.” Anthropologica 63(1). DOI: https://cas-ca.journals.uvic.ca/index.php/anthropologica/article/view/229

Here is the web page describing a study on Allyship in Anti-Racist Online Verbal Art done by two Undergraduate Summer Research Interns who worked on this project.

My past work examines the multiple meanings of weather and climate forecasts in different sociocultural and environmental contexts, including Northeast Brazil and the Canadian Arctic. An ethnographic and discourse-based perspective highlights communication issues emerging in these domains where science, local knowledge, culture and subjective experience intersect.

Other areas of research that interest me include: linguistic issues related to social justice, linguistic expressions of Indigenous experience and traditional knowledge, and communication between scientists and the public.

You can follow my work here:

• Names and Identity in Canada
• Academia.edu
• Research Gate
• Facebook