Meryl Alper

Dr. Meryl Alper is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies (College of Arts, Media, and Design) at Northeastern University, with affiliate roles in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Her research focuses on the intersection of disability, digital media, and children's technology use, emphasizing ethical considerations and neurodiversity. She earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds a B.S. from Northwestern University. Alper’s work bridges academia and practice, informed by her 20-year career in children’s media with organizations like Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon.

• Education: Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication (USC, 2015 and 2013), B.S. in Communication Studies and History (Northwestern, 2005), Early Childhood Education Certificate (UCLA, 2010).
• Research: Explores technology’s role in the lives of neurodivergent youth, focusing on autism, media representation, and ethical design.
• Key Publications: Kids Across the Spectrums (2023), Giving Voice (2017), and Digital Youth with Disabilities (2014).

Her research highlights how digital media shape social experiences for autistic individuals, challenging stereotypes through ethnographic studies. Alper’s recent work examines TikTok’s role in neurodivergent communities and the ethics of emerging technologies for children.

Awards:

• 2025 CAMD Faculty Excellence in Research Award
• 2024 Choice Outstanding Academic Title (ALA)
• 2024 Honorable Mention, CITAMS Best Book Award
• 2018 PROSE Award Honorable Mention
• 2018 ASA Sociology of Disability Award

Alper collaborates on grants addressing autism and media, such as a Northeastern project on social media and autistic girls’ eating disorders. She advocates for inclusive media representation through partnerships with Sesame Workshop and PBS KIDS, promoting diverse portrayals of neurodivergent identities.

Labs/Teams: Engages in participatory research with neurodivergent communities, emphasizing ethical frameworks and technology access.