Michael Orsini – The Conversation

Bob Harper, former trainer for The Biggest Loser, who’s accused of berating contestants in the new documentary ‘Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser.’ (Netflix Courtesy Everett Collection)

September 17, 2025

Is the Biggest Loser documentary entangled in its own internalized fatphobia?

Darby M. Babin, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa and Michael Orsini, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

The three-part Netflix documentary trafficked in some of the same problematic aspects of the show.

Following news of Ozempic’s ability to help its users lose weight, it did not take long for fat-haters to surface. (Justin Katigbak/Disabled And Here)

August 23, 2023

Ozempic, the ‘miracle drug,’ and the harmful idea of a future without fat

Fady Shanouda, Carleton University and Michael Orsini, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

The messaging around Ozempic being a miracle cure is not only a lie, it has kicked up a new level of fatphobia.

The emotions we attribute to party leaders on the basis of partisan affiliation may no longer hold sway in this federal election. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

September 13, 2021

Seeing red and feeling blue? How emotions are colouring the federal election in unexpected ways

Kelly Gordon, McGill University and Michael Orsini, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

The emotions we attach to political affiliation are shifting during this federal election. The vote may turn out to be a master class in how a party can capture the political mood and use it to its benefit.

Autism awareness campaigns often portray autistic people negatively as mysterious puzzles to be solved. In contrast, the rainbow infinity symbol celebrates neurodiversity. (Shutterstock)

April 21, 2021

5 ways to challenge systemic ableism during Autism Acceptance Month

Patty Douglas, Brandon University and Michael Orsini, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Instead of supporting autism through awareness campaigns that may portray autistic people negatively, consider learning about initiatives led by autistic people themselves. Here are five ways to start.

Felicity Huffman leaves federal court with her husband William H. Macy, left, and her brother Moore Huffman Jr. rear center, after she was sentenced in a nationwide college admissions bribery scandal, Sept. 13, 2019, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

September 18, 2019

Felicity Huffman: White is the colour of remorse

Michael Orsini, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa and Linda Mussell, Queen's University, Ontario

The fallout from the Huffman case has been intense, with much anger centered on the light punishment meted out to a white A-list celebrity versus the excessive charges levelled at Black defendants.

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