Stephanie Flores-Koulish, Ph.D. to Chair the 2021 NAMLE Conference

Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education, Stephanie Flores-Koulish, Ph.D., curriculum and instruction for social justice program director, will chair the 2021 National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) Conference.  

This year’s global conference will be held virtually July 16 – 18, 2021. The conference theme, “Media Literacy + Social Justice,” presents a forum to examine how media literacy skills help us decipher what media makers want us to believe and why, whose perspectives are valued in mainstream media and whose are marginalized or missing, and how new media channels can elevate the voices of those on the margins. Media literacy examines the effects that propaganda and mis/dis-information have on our perceptions and politics, and helps us to understand issues of injustice and systemic inequity while also inspiring action and social change.

Participants will hear from nearly 350 speakers during 150 live and on-demand presentations, including a presentation from Educational Technology’s Assistant Professor, Dr. Marie Heath, about the latest research, best practices for classrooms, innovations in youth media creation as well as filmmakers and journalists tackling the intense national conversations about social justice, representation and equity in media. Research teams will also present on their projects related to NAMLE’s International Research Initiative. And NAMLE will honor people and organizations who have had a great impact on the media literacy community. Alumnae and affiliate faculty member, RaShawna Sydnor, was on the awards committee.

Flores-Koulish said about the conference efforts, “For me, social justice has always served as a foundation for my media literacy teaching and scholarship.  When we employ the media literacy key questions, how do other people understand this message differently from me, and what (or who) is missing from a piece of media, we inevitably consider representation and the implications of voices and faces who are often left out. It’s more important now than ever before that media literacy views its practice as one of social justice, for our democracy, and for our mutual understanding, respect, and uplift.”

To learn more about the conference, its presenters and presentations, keynote panel discussions, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and how to register, visit https://namleconference.net.