Good tidings came early for SC&I this season! Traveling from PBS Headquarters, researchers from PBS KIDS visited the School of Communication and Information (SC&I) to meet with our Youth Cluster and discuss how their latest research is being utilized in educating children at a recent Ph.D. Colloquium. The panel included Linda Simensky, Vice President of Children’s Programming at PBS, Anne Lund, Director of Curriculum and Content for Ready To Learn at PBS KIDS, Jeremy Roberts, Senior Director of Learning Technologies at PBS KIDS, David Lowenstein, Senior Director of Ready To Learn at PBS KIDS, and Jennifer A. English, Senior Director of Strategy and Partnerships for Children’s Media & Education at PBS.

The collaboration was spearheaded by Amy Jordan, Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, Dafna Lemish, Associate Dean for Programs and Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, and Vikki Katz, Associate Professor of Communication, all of whom have longstanding relationships with PBS.

Entitled Research at PBS KIDS: Informing and Assessing Educational Media Content for Children, Families and Communities, the event included a presentation to our doctoral students, as well as discussions with Dean Jonathan Potter and Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Communication Mark Aakhus.

The convening of SC&I and PBS was a natural fit. Lemish said, “We share the same commitment for enhancing the positive impact of quality media on children’s development and the importance of engagement with underserved communities. It is also an outstanding opportunity to role model the value of bridging academia with media industries for the benefit of both.”

Jordan, who also serves as Chair to the Youth Cluster, shared this enthusiasm, saying, “Our common goal of using media to support children’s learning allows us to share knowledge and expertise.”

Plans are already in the works for SC&I to venture to PBS’ neighborhood for a visit in the future. “We were very happy with how the day went and it was great meeting everyone,” Simensky commented. “We are looking forward to having you here to do the same kind of colloquium with us!”

For more information on SC&I’s Youth Cluster, click here

For more information on SC&I’s Ph.D. program, click here