Dr. Ruprai receives SSHRC funding for Desi+: Digital Artistic Productions by Queer Sikhs

Mon. Sep. 16, 2024

Associate Professor and Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies, Sharanpal Ruprai, is one of six UWinnipeg faculty members who have recently received Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grants in 2024. Dr. Ruprai received $94,368 for the project, Desi+: Digital Artistic Productions by Queer Sikhs.

Sikh Canadians have made significant contributions to literature, film, and most recently social media; however, many of their contributions are under-examined and are not valued as sites of socio-political change and cultural expression.

To widen collective understanding of Queerness and the impact it has on socio-political change, this research looks at how South Asian artists represent, formulate, and negotiate their identities through artistic productions on social media.

Inspired by the recent rise of websites and social media profiles by Queer South Asian artists who use their cultural and religious backgrounds within their creations, this project will explore how these artists use social media to create new ways of cultural expression.

This research will look at the ways social media impacts belonging and changing culture, and examine how these new ways of cultural expression impact social change.

Congratulations Dr. Ruprai!