Producing Youth: Producing Media

Research

In 2009 I received a masters degree from the Department of Communications, Media Studies program at Concordia University. For my thesis, I completed a project which took the form of a website and accompanying paper.

For this qualitative research project I used video interviews and on-site observation, as well as direct participation in several media projects to explore how ideological constructions of both 'youth' and 'media literacy' impact the lived experiences of youth and facilitators in media production workshops organized through my work with The Digital Literacy Project.

During the research interviewees discussed their experience working in community youth media, addressing issues such as collaboration, institutionalization of practice, motivation, emergent literacy practices, and the effect of the ‘new economy’ on community learning projects. Of particular concern is how ‘youth’ as a political and social category is conceptualized and mobilized in media projects, in ways that both compliment and challenge existing institutional and educational norms.

Visit the website: Producing Youth: Producing Media