The Center for Media and Information Literacy was established in 2012 at the Klein College of Media and Communication, Temple University as a hub for research, outreach, education, and professional development on issues involving media literacy and information literacy locally, nationally, and internationally.
Overview
According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), media literacy is the ability to “access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act” using all forms of communication.” The Association of College & Research Libraries defines information literacy as a “set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning”. The combined term “media and information literacy” was developed by Alton Grizzle at UNESCO to signify the interrelated nature of these two terms and how they work together to influence audiences and individuals.
Our work is strategically aligned around three areas:
Global expertise
The CMIL works with UNESCO’s Global MIL Alliance and their global university collaborative known as MILID (media and information literacy and intercultural dialogue), as well as other international partners to advance MIL research and practice internationally.
MEDIA PRODUCTION
The CMIL produces Media Inside Out, a television talk show bringing together industry and education experts for deep discussions about media literacy. The series has been in production since 2012 with over 65 episodes available for streaming.
LOCAL LEADERSHIP
The CMIL offers workshops, public programs, and professional educator development on media literacy education for Philadelphia and the surrounding region. The CMIL is a founding partner of the Philadelphia Youth Media Collaborative (PYMC) a network of youth media serving organizations in the Philadelphia region.
MISSION
The CMIL works with educators, scholars, parents, children, youth, and the media industry to advance critical analysis of media and the implementation of media literacy programs and advocate for media literacy education.
Vision
Highlights and Activities 2022-2023
(Upcoming) Lead a post-screening discussion of Barbie (the movie) for Temple University’s Reel Cinema on October 19, 2023.
Invited presentation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of the Association Country Women of the World. Presentation titled, “Surveillance Society: the power and influence of algorithms”. (March 2022)
Served as vice-chair for UNESCO Global MIL Alliance. (2019-2022)
Manage the Philly Youth Media Collaborative website. (2018-present)
Hold event annually for Global Media and Information Literacy Week (last week of October)
Hold annual Children’s Media Symposium (2024 will be the 6th annual)
Produced several episodes of Media Inside Out on topics including: The Growth of Latinx Media (Feb. 2023), A.I. in Education (Sept. 2023), Teens Making Media (March 2023), and two episodes produced with international partners during my Fulbright in Brazil and England.
Invited to lead a Prix Jeunesse youth jury in Philadelphia. Prix Jeunesse is the pre-eminent international children’s television festival held bi-annually in Germany. (2022)
Served as editor or co-editor for four MILID Yearbooks. https://en.unesco.org/themes/media-and-information-literacy/milidnetwork/milidyearbook
Invited panelist for “Trust Me” documentary post-screening discussion panel. Instituto Federal de Telecomunicacion (IFT). Mexico (virtual). (2022)
Appointment: Global Chair in Media Literacy
The CMIL represents Klein College and Temple University as an appointed “global chair” in media and information literacy (MIL) in UNESCO’s UNITWIN global university collaborative network. This designation connects the CMIL to a select group of universities worldwide collaborating on global media and information literacy initiatives. Responsibilities include participating in collaborative projects, attending the annual meeting, and advising on global media literacy issues.
Details here: https://en.unesco.org/themes/media-and-information-literacy/milidnetwork
The CMIL has been an integral part of several reports launched by UNESCO to solidify the notion of MIL including;
- Research study and report, Survey on Privacy in MIL with Youth Perspectives
- Production of the annual Global MIL Yearbook
- Production of the Global Framework for MIL Cities
CMIL is also a member of UNESCO’s Media & Information Literacy Alliance. Formerly known as “GAPMIL”, the Alliance was launched to give greater impetus to fostering media and information literate citizenries in the governance and development agenda.
More information here: https://www.unesco.org/en/media-information-literacy/alliance
Affiliations
- Poynter Institute’s Global Media Literacy Network. Advisory committee. (2022-present)
- National Association for Media Literacy Education. Organizational partner. (2012-present)
- UNESCO UNITWIN MILID (University Twining and Networking Programme in Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue) Invited member. (2012 to present)
- Journal of Media Literacy Education. Editorial board. (2018-2022)
- UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Alliance. Member. (2013-present)
- Vice-chair of MIL Alliance 2019-2022.
Klein College of Media and Communication
Temple University
Annenberg Hall, 1A
2020 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Phone: 215-204-3255
Sherri Hope Culver – Director
Email: shculver@temple.edu
Watch Our Show
Media Inside Out is a television talk show exploring media literacy topics airing every Wednesday at 12:30 and 8:30PM on Temple University TV (TUTV).
Each episode digs deep into a specific media theme or media property and is produced and hosted by Sherri Hope Culver.