Karen North

Karen North is a Clinical Professor of Communication at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. She is the founder and former director of the Digital Social Media (MS) program, the world's first master's degree program focused on social media leadership and online community management. Trained as a clinical and social psychologist, her expertise bridges digital media strategy, brand development, privacy issues, and political persuasion in the digital age.

Education:

• PhD in Clinical and Social Psychology

Research Focus: Examines how digital/social media influences group formation, corporate/individual branding, political campaigns, and safety protocols. Her work intersects technology innovation with media industry practices, particularly in leveraging social platforms for organizational and governmental strategies.

Professional Experience: Prior to USC, she served as Assistant Dean at UCLA School of Public Policy. She held roles in the Clinton Administration's White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and worked for U.S. Representative Edward Markey on telecommunications policy.

Program Leadership: Launched the groundbreaking Digital Social Media program in 2006, now a cornerstone of USC Annenberg's curriculum.