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About the speaker
Ann Reardon is an Australian food scientist, dietitian, author, and YouTube creator best known for her innovative work in debunking dangerous viral food hacks and promoting media literacy through her channel, How To Cook That. With a background in food science and nutrition, Reardon holds a degree in food science and post-graduate in dietetics from Curtin University. She uses her expertise to educate her global audience on the science behind cooking and the importance of critical thinking in the digital age. In 2021, Reardon was named the world’s best online chef in the 12th Annual U.S. Taste Awards and was recognized as the 2024 Rode Science Creator of the Year.
Reardon’s popular "Debunking" series has made her a trusted voice in the fight against misinformation, particularly in the culinary space. Her ability to deconstruct viral food videos and expose misleading or harmful practices in an apolitical way has gained widespread recognition. Publications such as Wall Street Journal, BBC, MIT Technology Review, Forbes, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Huffington Post have highlighted her unique approach to media literacy and her campaign against hazardous "life hacks." She has also been featured on Radio New Zealand and 7NEWS Australia, where she has discussed the importance of online accountability and consumer safety.
Through her work, Ann Reardon has become a compelling media educator, empowering her audience to question the validity of viral content and approach the online world with curiosity and skepticism. Beyond her YouTube presence, she continues to inspire change and foster a more informed digital landscape, using her expertise to make the internet—and the kitchen—a safer place.
About this speaker series
Discussions of technology often revolve around a loose notion of a future-orientated “innovation,” with little regard about the nature of those imagined futures. This series aims to add a little friction to these sleek ideas about innovative technologies, by providing a platform to discuss the complexities of living in an increasingly technological world. The series showcases experts whose work intersects research methodologies and the creative process and technology. Each featured speaker will deliver a lecture and provide a brief demonstration of their process. Whether they are a research-based creator or a researcher who makes, these speakers do not approach technology as a definitive answer but as a question: How does technology reflect the issues, inequities and injustices in our society and what is there to be done about it?
Support from the VCU Foundation, The Department of Kinetic Imaging and Humanities Research Center helped make this year's session possible.
Registration is required in order to receive the link for the presentation.
Previous recorded sessions:
Creative Inquiries: Mimi Onuoha (2022)
Creative Inquiries: Bridget Todd (2023)
Creative Inquiries: Suzanne Kite Ph.D. (2024)
For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Ryan Pander, event manager, rbpander@vcu.edu or 804-828-0593.