CURRENT:
7th Children’s Media Career Symposium
This symposium for students and the community offers two panels of children’s media professionals discussing trends in children’s media and career opportunities within the industry, while sharing real-world experiences and advice with attendees. It has been held annually since 2018, and the next one is scheduled for April 2nd, 2025.
Media Inside Out
Our television talk show exploring media literacy topics airing every Monday at 12:00PM and 8:00PM on Temple University TV (TUTV).
Children’s Media Professionals of Philly (CMPoP)
CMPoP was founded in June 2023 by Kaz Long & Sherri Hope-Culver to foster a community of children’s media professionals in the local Philly area. As of March 2024, there are 60 CMPoP participants on the event email list and bi-monthly meetings.
Philadelphia Youth Media Collaborative (PYMC)
CMIL is a founding partner of the PYMC. The Collaborative brings together the myriad of organizations in the Philadelphia region working in youth media in the areas of production, professional development, and education to build and enhance the youth media community and distribution of their creative projects.
UNESCO/UNAOC University Network on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID)
The CMIL has been named as a Global Chair in Media and Information Literacy in a collaboration between UNESCO and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). The UNESCO/UNAOC initiative is developing research, education, and collaborative planning of global media and information literacy initiatives with eight international partner universities.
Certificate in children's media
The Children’s Media Certificate, started by Sherri Hope Culver, offers students an opportunity to explore and prepare for careers in the growing children’s media industry. The certificate provides academic courses that cover a range of fields, including media research, platform management, and content creation for children and youth. It is open to all Temple University students and is ideal for those studying media, education, psychology, and other child-focused disciplines.
The Children's Media Industry in LA
The Children’s Media Industry in LA program is a two-week immersive experience led by Sherri Hope Culver. The program provides students with firsthand exposure to the children’s entertainment industry, including television, podcasts, streaming, educational media, casting, and influencers. Participants engage in exclusive visits to media companies and meet directly with executives shaping the future of children’s media. The program offers a unique opportunity to gain industry insights and expand professional networks without requiring relocation to Los Angeles.
COMPLETED:
Annual Children’s Media Career Symposium: In early April, the CMIL hosted a Children’s Media Career Symposium for students at Temple University and the surrounding community, featuring two panels of children’s media professionals with discussions surrounding trends in children’s media and career opportunities within the industry. Speakers revealed real-world experiences and gave advice to students looking to pursue a path within the field.
UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance (MIL Alliance): Sherri Hope Culver served as Vice-Chair of the International Steering Committee (ISC) for the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Alliance, a global initiative dedicated to promoting media and information literacy. Founded in 2013 at the Global Forum for Partnerships on MIL, the Alliance brought together organizations and individuals from over 100 countries to foster collaboration, shape policy, and enhance MIL education. Through strategic partnerships and global networking, it aimed to ensure widespread access to essential MIL skills in the digital era.
Elizabeth Thoman Media Literacy Archives: now available through Temple University library. To access the archive contact Jenifer Baldwin, Head of reference and instructional services, Temple Library 215- 204-4585 or jbaldwin@temple.edu.
UNESCO research report – “Survey on Privacy in Media and Information Literacy with Youth Perspectives“: This report explores how privacy is taught in MIL education environments. A second section explores youth perspectives and understandings of MIL. Research for this report was lead by CMIL Director, Sherri Hope Culver and Alton Grizzle, Program Specialist for Media and Information Literacy, UNESCO. This global survey was conducted through the UNESCO higher education collaborative known as UNITWIN. This publication is part of the UNESCO book series on Internet freedom.
Documentary screenings: previous screenings and discussions have included Screenagers and a discussion about youth engagement with media, and The Problem with Apu and a discussion about representation and media.
New Media Technology Charter School (NMTCS): CMIL worked with the school to create a integrated media literacy curriculum.
K-CAPA High School Media Literacy Program: A program to help undergraduate students gain teaching and media literacy skills that they can apply in media and documentary classes.
New Media Technology Charter teaching “circle”: Project Manager David Cooper Moore meets weekly with a small group of teachers for an intensive, eight-week session including brainstorming, coaching and lesson-planning focused on media and information literacy and focused on the specific and ongoing needs of the participating teachers
Visiting Fellow: During 2013 the CMIL is hosting a visiting fellow from Korea, Sojin An. Sojin is an accomplished director with EBS (the Korean Educational Broadcasting Service) and media literacy advocate. She is exploring issues relating to children in Media.
Annual meeting 2013: “Meet the Sproutlets”
Each year the CMIL holds an annual event to introduce students and the community to key players in the children’s media community. This year we met executives from the children’s cable network, SPROUT, including executives from programming, marketing and product. After the presentations, the students, guests and speakers had an opportunity to network and learn more about the field.
International Children’s Media presentation
During this presentation visiting fellow Sojin An screened two of her films, one of which was nominated for an international children’s Emmy award. the screening was followed by a presentation about Korean children’s programming.
Annual meeting 2012: “Children and Digital Media: Trends, Challenges, and Inspiration”
For this annual event students and guests were treated to inspiring presentations from Erica Branch Ridley (Sesame Workshop) and Makeda Mays Green (Nickelodeon) about their work in children’s media and the future of the field. The event was also an opportunity for students to meet leaders in children’s media and learn about their career path.
Hunger Games Symposium:
This event was a co-production from the CMIL and the Center for Media and Destiny. Scholars and authors provided insights into the power of the Hunger Games brand on the heels of the release of the first film. CMIL Director Sherri Hope Culver presentation was titled, “Searching for Reality in a Fictional World: How The Hunger Games Plays on Our Enjoyment of and Knowledge of Reality TV”.
My Pop Studio: Members of CMIL were part of the team that developed My Pop Studio, an online interactive game designed to teach media literacy skills to preteen girls. The website integrates games, blogs, and user-generated content with development in critical thinking.