Ellen Helsper

Ellen Helsper is a Professor of Digital Inequalities at the London School of Economics (LSE) within the Department of Media and Communications. She serves as Doctoral Programme Director and has held visiting scholar roles at institutions such as USC Annenberg and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Her research focuses on digital inequalities, media literacy, and the socio-cultural impacts of digital technologies. Helsper earned her PhD from LSE in 2007 and has contributed to major projects like Global Kids Online and Connected Cities and Inclusive Growth. Her work bridges quantitative and qualitative methodologies to address disparities in digital engagement, particularly among disadvantaged groups.

Education:

• PhD in Media and Communications, LSE (2007)
• MSc in Media Psychology, Utrecht University (1998)

Research Interests: Digital inequalities, mediated communication, youth online behavior, and policy-relevant methodologies. She explores how socio-cultural contexts shape digital engagement and advocates for inclusive digital policies.

Key Projects: From Digital Skills to Tangible Outcomes (DiSTO), Global Kids Online, and EU Kids Online. These projects analyze barriers to digital inclusion and measure outcomes of digital literacy interventions.

Teaching: Convenes advanced research methods courses (MC4M2/MC5M2) and teaches Media and Globalisation (MC411). Former Director of the MSc Media and Communications (Research Track).

Collaborations: Consults for governments and organizations on digital engagement strategies. Co-developed the play 'Cookies' addressing cyberbullying, blending research with public outreach.

Labs/Teams: Leads research teams within LSE’s Department of Media and Communications, collaborating internationally through initiatives like the REMEDIS project.