We Are Civic Media

A discipline-crossing introduction to civic media via accounts from grassroots practitioners

"Civic media" is the use of contemporary technologies to connect communities, inspire action, build civic capacity, and sustain social change efforts. Written by artists, creators, storytellers, organizers, and others working at the intersections of technology, social justice, and culture, this book summons civic media through the lived experiences of its contributors.

Latoya Peterson delves into the therapeutic power of gaming; Akilah Hughes discusses identity and community through the lens of her campaign to change her high school's racist mascot; and Tyree Boyd-Pates emphasizes the potential power of museum curation to challenge power dynamics and bridge digital and physical realms. Through the experiences of these grassroots practitioners and many others, We Are Civic Media offers accessible insights for those interested in understanding, respecting, and practicing civic media.

Author: Sangita Shresthova
Publisher: Northwestern University Press
Published: 08/15/2025
Pages: 230
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 9.90h x 7.00w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780810149069

About the Author

SANGITA SHRESTHOVA is the associate research professor of communication and a principal investigator for the Civic Paths group at the University of Southern California. She is the coauthor of Practicing Futures: A Civic Imagination Action Handbook and a coeditor of Transformative Media Pedagogies and Popular Culture and the Civic Imagination: Case Studies of Creative Social Change.

DAN SINKER is the founder of the influential magazine Punk Planet and served as director of journalism nonprofit OpenNews. He cohosts the current events podcast Says Who and has contributed to Esquire, The Atlantic, and The New York Times.

PRATIK NYAUPANE is a doctoral student at USC Annenberg, where he explores the intersection between society, technology, culture, and politics.

SOPHIE MADEJ is the program administrator at USC's Annenberg Innovation Lab. She has helped to implement and manage the Civic Media Fellowships from their inception.

COLIN MACLAY is a research professor of communication and the executive director of USC's Annenberg Innovation Lab. He works on innovation and change at the intersections of media, technology, and culture in support of human and planetary well-being.