Center for Media & Social Impact

Center for Media & Social Impact The Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) is an innovation lab and research center that studies, s

The Center for Media & Social Impact at American University, formerly the Center for Social Media, is an innovation incubator and research center that creates, studies, and showcases media for social impact. Focusing on independent, documentary and public media, the Center bridges boundaries between scholars, producers and communication practitioners across media production, media impact, public p

olicy, and audience engagement. The Center produces resources for the field and academic research; convenes conferences and events; and works collaboratively to understand and design media that matters. The Center’s activities include:
INCUBATING creative and cutting-edge media projects that address issues of misrepresentation, identity, and social change. INNOVATIVE RESEARCH to answer key questions underlying social impact media. RESOURCES to facilitate impact through media: issue briefs, fact sheets, blog, and models for documentary and impact campaign production. CONVENING issue experts, social scientists, technology specialists and producers to discuss and track trends, lessons learned, and new models for public engagement in media. As part of the American University School of Communication, the Center offers research assistantships, screenings, master classes and volunteer opportunities to SOC students. The Center also has fellows associated with funded projects, but has no stand-alone funding for fellows.

🎙️ Don’t forget — we sat down with Soo Hugh, the creator, writer, and showrunner behind Pachinko, the Peabody Award–winn...
06/30/2025

🎙️ Don’t forget — we sat down with Soo Hugh, the creator, writer, and showrunner behind Pachinko, the Peabody Award–winning series that brings Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel to life.

We talk about the emotional weight of adapting this multigenerational epic, why she was hesitant to read the book at first, and how the concept of home shaped every creative decision.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

A co-directed production from the Peabody Awards and the Center for Media & Social Impact.

🎙️ Comedian joins us to talk identity, family, and her new memoir I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying — alongside Pachinko...
06/21/2025

🎙️

Comedian joins us to talk identity, family, and her new memoir I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying — alongside Pachinko creator

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

A co-directed production from the and the Center for Media & Social Impact.

The (DPA) is proud to launch the Ethics Resource Library (ERL), a free, public, and centralized online database designe...
06/18/2025

The (DPA) is proud to launch the Ethics Resource Library (ERL), a free, public, and centralized online database designed to support ethical decision-making throughout the documentary and reality filmmaking process.

Built by and for filmmakers, the ERL brings together trusted resources to navigate complex industry challenges — from consent and authorship to funding transparency, working with vulnerable communities, and more. Whether you’re an emerging storyteller or a seasoned producer, the ERL is a living tool to help guide your work with care and integrity.

The Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) proudly supports the ERL and shares its commitment to ethical storytelling. Through research, education, and creative collaboration, CMSI continues to champion values-driven media that uplifts equity, accountability, and community engagement.

The ERL has already been endorsed by organizations including the Documentary Accountability Working Group (DAWG), DocuMentality, Film Fatales, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Columbia College Chicago, Jewish Film Institute, Peace is Loud, Kartemquin Educational Films, CMSI, and many others.

Access the library via the link in bio!

🎙️ This week on We Disrupt This Broadcast, we’re talking to , creator, writer, and showrunner of the hit series Pachin...
06/14/2025

🎙️

This week on We Disrupt This Broadcast, we’re talking to , creator, writer, and showrunner of the hit series Pachinko. Based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee, the show follows a Korean family across generations.

We’re also joined by comedian and author , whose own family’s Korean American experience echoes many of the themes in Pachinko. Known for her honest and hilarious takes on generational trauma, cultural identity, and family, Youngmi brings her unique voice from her podcasts Feeling Asian and Hairy Bu****le (yes, really), plus her new memoir I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying.

🎧Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

We Disrupt This Broadcast is a co-directed co-production of the Peabody Awards and the Center for Media & Social Impact.

In We Are Lady Parts, no one fades into the background. Every character, every look, every scene pushes back against tir...
06/11/2025

In We Are Lady Parts, no one fades into the background. Every character, every look, every scene pushes back against tired tropes and brings punk, pride, and purpose to the screen.

Don’t forget—the latest episode of We Disrupt This Broadcast is out! We’re joined by , comedian and host of Hulu’s Muslim Matchmaker, and Nida Manzoor, creator of the Peabody-winning series We Are Lady Parts.

We get into:
⚡ The joy and burden of representing Muslim women on-screen
⚡ Staying true vs. selling out
⚡ Comedy as a tool to disrupt stereotypes
⚡ And more

🎧 Listen now—available wherever you get your podcasts. Link in bio.

We Disrupt This Broadcast is a co-directed co-production of the and the Center for Media & Social Impact.

🚨 New book alert: Radical Reality: Documentary Storytelling and the Global Fight for Social JusticeHow do filmmakers cha...
06/05/2025

🚨 New book alert: Radical Reality: Documentary Storytelling and the Global Fight for Social Justice

How do filmmakers challenge power and spark change? Radical Reality uncovers how independent documentarians around the world use storytelling to resist repression, amplify marginalized voices, and drive social justice.

Written by Caty Borum and David Conrad-Pérez of the Center for Media & Social Impact, this book shows why nonfiction storytelling matters now more than ever.

📚 Published by Oxford University Press
💸 Use code AUFLY30 for 30% off
🔗 Hit the link in bio to get your copy!

🚨 It’s the final week to apply for the 2025–26 Yes, And… Laughter Lab (YALL) Fellowship! 🎭✨YALL is a collaborative progr...
06/03/2025

🚨 It’s the final week to apply for the 2025–26 Yes, And… Laughter Lab (YALL) Fellowship! 🎭✨

YALL is a collaborative program supporting comedians and writers who use humor to drive social change. If that sounds like you, don’t miss this opportunity!

🗓 Deadline: June 8, 2025
🔗 Apply now at yesandlaughterlab.com/apply — or hit the link in our bio!

🎤 What do punk music and Muslim matchmaking have in common? Representation, disruption, and a whole lot of comedy.On the...
05/30/2025

🎤 What do punk music and Muslim matchmaking have in common? Representation, disruption, and a whole lot of comedy.

On the latest episode of We Disrupt This Broadcast, we’re joined by , comedian and host of Hulu’s Muslim Matchmaker, and Nida Manzoor, creator of the Peabody-winning series We Are Lady Parts.

We get into:
⚡ The joy and burden of representing Muslim women on-screen
⚡ Staying true vs. selling out
⚡ Comedy as a tool to disrupt stereotypes
⚡ And more

🎧 Listen now—available wherever you get your podcasts. Link in bio.

We Disrupt This Broadcast is a co-directed co-production of the and the Center for Media & Social Impact.

Big news from CMSI! 🎉 Our incredible executive director, , has been promoted to Full Professor at American University. ...
05/29/2025

Big news from CMSI! 🎉 Our incredible executive director, , has been promoted to Full Professor at American University. A trailblazer in communication, comedy, and social change, Caty has led the Center for Media and Social Impact with vision and heart since 2017. Her leadership has been truly transformational.

She now joins the ranks of only about 36% of full professors nationwide who are women, and we couldn’t be prouder. Congrats, Caty! 💫

⏳ LAST CHANCE! The final day to participate is THIS Saturday, May 31!📢 Documentary storytellers and nonfiction professio...
05/28/2025

⏳ LAST CHANCE! The final day to participate is THIS Saturday, May 31!

📢 Documentary storytellers and nonfiction professionals — don’t miss your chance to be part of the largest global study of the industry.

Since 2016, the Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) has led this biennial survey, the only ongoing research tracking revenue, funding, distribution, and lived experiences in nonfiction film.

Why take part?
• Shifting political economy of distributors
• Documented resistance to human rights content
• Rising global political, social, and economic instability

🧠 This year includes new questions on artificial intelligence and censorship to better understand their impact on nonfiction work.

✅ Confidential, available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese — and only takes 20 minutes.

👉 Visit link in bio to take the survey

The NEW episode of We Disrupt This Broadcast is out NOW, featuring award-winning writer and creator Nida Manzoor! 🎤Join ...
05/22/2025

The NEW episode of We Disrupt This Broadcast is out NOW, featuring award-winning writer and creator Nida Manzoor! 🎤

Join the mind behind the Peabody-winning series We Are Lady Parts as we explore:

-The intersections of culture and identity

-Disrupting stereotypes about Muslim women

-The power of comedy in storytelling

-and more!

🎧 Podcast available on all major platforms
👉Visit the link in bio to listen now!

We Disrupt This Broadcast is a collaboration between the and the Center for Media & Social Impact.

📢 Reminder for documentary storytellers and nonfiction professionals!🗓️ Deadline to participate: MAY 31!The largest glob...
05/22/2025

📢 Reminder for documentary storytellers and nonfiction professionals!

🗓️ Deadline to participate: MAY 31!

The largest global study of documentary storytellers is back with its biennial industry survey. This is the only ongoing study that tracks trends in revenue, funding, distribution, and lived experiences in nonfiction film.

Conducted by the Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) since 2016, the survey offers critical insight into the state of the field.

Why participate?
• Navigating a shifting political economy of distributors
• Documented resistance to human rights content
• Rising global political, social, and economic instability

This year includes new questions about artificial intelligence and censorship to better understand their growing influence on nonfiction work.

✅ The survey is confidential and available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. It takes about 20 minutes to complete.

👉Visit the link in bio to take tue survey

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4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20016

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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The Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) is based at American University’s School of Communication. Focusing on independent, documentary and public media, the Center bridges boundaries between scholars, producers and communication practitioners across media production, media impact, public policy, and audience engagement. The Center produces resources for the field and academic research; convenes conferences and events; and works collaboratively to understand and design media that matter. CMSI is directed by Caty Borum Chattoo and was founded (as the Center for Social Media) by Patricia Aufderheide in 2001.

Our work spans four major categories:

1) Civic Media Storytelling & Social Justice

2) Documentary, Independent Storytelling & Democracy