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Ioana Literat
Assistant Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University
Ioana Literat is currently an Associate Professor in the Communication, Media and Learning Technologies Design program at Teachers College, Columbia University.13 She is also the Associate Director of the Media & Social Change Lab (MASCLab).3
Literat's research focuses on young people's creative and political expression online, particularly examining how online participation enables new forms of creativity and learning, and how youth's creative and civic practices intersect in digital contexts.3 Her work aims to understand these practices to better support the next generation of thinkers, voters, and activists.
Key aspects of Literat's career and research include:
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Educational background:
- Ph.D. in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California
- M.A. in Communication from the same institution
- B.A. in Film and Media Culture from Middlebury College1
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Research interests:
- Online participation, especially youth digital practices
- Online creativity, including Internet-based art and memes
- Online political expression, focusing on youth online political socialization and media literacy1
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Notable publications:
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Public scholarship:
- Regularly quoted in major news outlets like the New York Times, NBC News, and The Globe and Mail
- Featured on PBS Newshour, Vox, and Vice on Showtime
- Provides expert commentary on topics such as Gen-Z voters on TikTok, youth utilization of social media for discussing social issues, and the impact of social media on youth mental health4
Literat's work has gained significant attention, particularly her research on TikTok and its role in youth political expression and engagement.4 Her public scholarship demonstrates a commitment to making tangible social change through her research and expanding the impact of her work beyond academia.




