Carrie James

Director of Design Based Implementation Research

Carrie James directs the Design Based Implementation Research strand on the Democratic Knowledge Project. She is a Research Associate and Principal Investigator at Project Zero (PZ). A sociologist by training, over the past decade, James has led research and educational initiatives focused on ethical issues in digital life, participatory politics in a connected age, and cross-cultural online learning experiences. A core feature of her work is the design of classroom resources and pedagogical tools. With Emily Weinstein, James co-directs initiatives focused on supporting youth in a world of digital dilemmas, reimagining digital well-being, and supporting mindful digital engagement. In collaboration with Common Sense Education, James and Weinstein build classroom approaches for digital life and citizenship. James is also co-director of Out of Eden Learn, an online community designed to bring youth from diverse backgrounds together for learning experiences and meaningful dialogue. With Emily Weinstein, she is co-author of the forthcoming book, Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (and Adults Are Missing) (MIT Press, 2022). Her publications also include Disconnected: Youth, New Media, and the Ethics Gap (MIT Press, 2014) and numerous articles in peer-reviewed education and media journals. Carrie holds an M.A. (1996) and a Ph.D. (2003) in Sociology from New York University.