Carrie James

Carrie James is a Lecturer on Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Research Associate/Principal Investigator at Project Zero. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from New York University (2003) and an M.A. from the same institution (1996). Her work focuses on youth’s digital, moral, and civic lives, emphasizing ethics in new media contexts. Key roles include co-directing The Good Play Project (MacArthur Foundation-funded), leading the Good Participation project (Youth and Participatory Politics network), and co-PI for Out of Eden Learn, an online learning platform linked to Paul Salopek’s global walk. She also co-directs PZ Connect, offering teacher professional development in Australia. Her research has led to publications like Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap (2014) and informs classroom materials addressing digital citizenship and social media use.

Her research spans digital dilemmas, youth civic engagement, and empathy development. Recent projects explore how youth navigate online political dialogue and design interventions for digital wellbeing. Collaborations include Facing History and Ourselves, emphasizing intercultural exchange and ethical digital practices. She regularly contributes to educational initiatives like the Project Zero Classroom and Future of Learning institutes. Grants and awards include MacArthur Foundation support for digital media studies. Labs/teams include Project Zero, Out of Eden Learn, and YPP network partnerships.