Current Research
Our Research
Research that is timely and relevant and of use to Canadian content creators is critical to our work. And we not only provide a short summary of “what the research tells us” but also “how to put the research into practice.” We know that everyone is busy, so the research we do is to bring to the forefront issues and information that is relevant for content creators and their work today, and in the future. It’s critical to sometimes stop and take a look at the children’s media industry to see where we are succeeding and where there is work to be done, especially around being reflective of kids and teens’ world.
The Children’s Media Lab aims to bridge the gap between academia/research and the children’s content industry so that the best and most relevant content for children can be created. Our approach is simple: show you WHAT the research is, HOW you can use it, and WHY it is important. The ultimate goal is to help you make great content for young people, inspire new ideas, new awareness, and a real passion for thinking about the audience every step of the way.
The Children’s Media Lab Explores How Families are Impacted by Race
This guide, created through a research collaboration between the Children’s Media Lab and Noggin and Paramount’s Content for Change Initiative provides insights on the many ways in which families discuss and experience racism.
Read the guide, published by Sparkler Learning, here:
Examining Children’s Animated Television in Canada
This report is a follow up to our “Landscape” report, where it was discovered that there was a larger gender gap in Canadian animated programs for children than live action programs for children. This study examines 121 main characters across 27 Canadian animated television programs, and delves further into representations of gender, race, body types, character species, and disabilities.
Download the report here. (external link, opens in new window)
(PDF file) Read the press release here. (opens in new window)
Landscape of Children’s Television in Canada and the US
This comprehensive study examines the defining characteristics of television programs targeting children up to age 12. The study was commissioned by IZI (the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television in Germany) and included 7 other countries, including the US. The Children’s Media Lab worked with our partners at the Center for Scholars and Storytellers at UCLA to promote these findings. Research results and actionable insights are included in categories ranging from on screen characters (gender, race, age, economic diversity) to behind the scene teams (directors, writers, creators, and producers).
Some findings were compared to the results of a previous study conducted 10 years earlier in 2007.