Allor joined the department in 1984. He taught cultural studies, media criticism, documentary and television studies, video production and discourse analysis, media criticism, reception theory, and cultural policy.
“Marty was a formidable intellectual who made a significant mark on the development of cultural studies in North America,” said Sandra Gabriele, current department chair.
“He was a tremendous, important part of the history of our department, shepherding us into our new building and always on the ready to serve the university.”
Allor’s influence in his field extended well beyond Concordia.
“Marty was a gentle, incredibly smart man who changed the lives of innumerable young scholars, artists, activists and media creators,” says Will Straw, of McGill’s Art History and Communication Studies Department.
“His teaching wove together the most exciting and progressive currents in cultural scholarship from around the world. Few newcomers have become a Montrealer so quickly, or understood Quebec so well. In his modest, institution-building way, he brought communications studies in Canada into an exciting new phase in its history.”
Allor passed away several days after suffering an aneurysm, and was surrounded by friends and colleagues throughout his final hours.
Concordia's Department of Communication Studies has published their own tribute to Allor and invites the community to attend a memorial service on Friday, March 18, at 12:30 p.m. in the Loyola Chapel.
The department has asked that staff, students and faculty members be informed of the following support channels, which are available to them during this difficult time:
• Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). All contact with the EAP is confidential, and is available at no cost to staff and faculty members who are eligible for Health Benefits.
• Students can access support via Mental Health Services.