Media literacy, which is defined by Ofcom as, ‘the ability to use, understand and create media literacy across a multiple formats and services’, has a foundational role to play in Ofcom’s overall mission to, “make communications work for everyone”. Advancing media literacy is crucial to ensuring that people can navigate content safely and flourish online. To realise the full potential of media literacy in the UK, contributions and collaboration from all corners is essential.
Aims
The MSOM advisory panel is a collection of media literacy experts, providing Ofcom with insight and challenge whilst driving collaboration. We recently published, ‘A Positive Vision for Media Literacy’, Ofcom’s Three-Year Media Literacy Strategy.
The MSOM advisory panel advise Ofcom on the opportunities and challenges of the final strategy, which is focussed on the three key areas of the strategy: Research, Evidence and Evaluation, Engaging Platforms, and People and Partnerships.
The panel have a key role to play in our ‘collaboration first’ approach and providing access to diversity of perspectives, experience and expertise.
Panel members will be asked to use individual area of expertise, whether in traditional media literacy or edge of remit, to highlight opportunities and issues for our current strategy and where longer-term collective effort may be necessary.
We envisage that this will not only deliver for Ofcom but influencing sector level and societal change.
The Panel will be advising Ofcom’s MSOM programme and team as they work to deliver the outcomes in Ofcom’s Three-Year Media Literacy Strategy- with a specific focus on the following activities;
- Sounding board and critical friend; providing advice and critical challenge, ensuring the Ofcom ML work programme and activities delivers on key policy challenges and meets the stated objectives.
- Connector; ensuring we are in touch with the right people at the right time to inform evidence, initiatives and sector wide best practice.
- Horizon scanning; supporting our edge of remit thinking on media literacy, highlighting new themes and issues for consideration with a particular focus on identifying opportunities for early intervention and issues where longer-term collective effort may be necessary.
The MSOM Panel is a non-statutory voluntary forum and membership is by Ofcom invitation. Membership of the panel is for 24 months, with the option for Ofcom to extend membership by a further twelve months.
- Advisory Panel members are drawn from a cross section of expert individuals and organisations with an interest in media literacy, either because they work in media literacy, in and with communities, or on issues that overlap or intersect with media literacy.
- There are additional opportunities engage, inform and collaborate via our Network and events programme Making Sense of Media Network and Panel - Ofcom.
Chris Ashworth OBE, Nominet
Chris is the Head of Social Impact at Nominet where he oversees the organisations commitment to research and funding that tackles some of the most significant issues where digital technology impacts UK citizens. From digital inclusion to internet safety for young people, from digital skills and careers through to online harms, Chris has helped deliver innovative Tech for Good programmes with the likes of IWF, Samaritans, Young Minds, Princes Trust and Scouts for over 7 years. Chris is the founder of 'Click Zero' that campaigns for free access to online public services and is a member of the Digital Inclusion APPG. Formally of Oxfam, Chris founded Oxfam in Korea and developed humanitarian partnerships with some of the world's largest organisations.
Dr Melisa Basol, Founder & CEO, Pulse
Dr. Melisa Basol, a social psychologist and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, is at the forefront of leveraging psychology to build societal resilience against misinformation and online harms. Through leading award-winning initiatives like "Go Viral!" and large-scale prebunking campaigns against election misinformation, her work has reached hundreds of millions of citizens, safeguarding democratic integrity. As founder of Pulse, Dr Basol leads an innovation lab crafting evidence-based strategies that drive resilience through responsible, human-centred tech.
Ewan Bennie, EY Foundation
Ewan is the Director of Communications and Influence at the young people charity, the EY Foundation. Its long-term ambition is to ensure the two million young people eligible for Free School Meals have the same employment and earnings potential as their peers. Technology offers opportunities to achieve systemic change, providing new ways to break down the barriers between employers and young people. To realise this potential, media literacy must evolve in parallel with the development of new technology-based communication channels. In previous roles, Ewan led on climate change communications in central government and was a television producer at the BBC.
Lee Edwards, London School of Economics and Political Science
Lee Edwards is Professor of Strategic Communications and Public Engagement in the Department of Media and Communications at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is particularly interested in the relationship between strategic communications and inequalities, social justice, democracy, and media literacy. She has published a wide range of articles, books, chapters and reports on topics including deliberative engagement in media policymaking, media literacy, public relations as a cultural intermediary, diversity in public relations, and public relations and democracy.
Alexandra Evans, Digital Childhood Agency
Alexandra Evans is the Co-Founder of the Digital Childhood Agency. Her work focuses on understanding and responding to the impact of technology on children and childhood. She has played a key role in developing age-appropriate design standards. Her perspective is shaped by her experience working as a content regulator (BBFC), a child online safety advocate (5Rights Foundation) and within a global tech company (TikTok). Before focusing on childhood and digital, Alexandra was a solicitor (Mishcon de Reya) where she advised on public policy, discrimination and human rights law.
Anna-Sophie Harling, Epic Games
Anna-Sophie Harling is Director of Public Policy at Epic Games, where she works on the company’s online safety public policy efforts. Prior to joining Epic, she was an Online Safety Policy Principal at Ofcom, working on issues ranging from transparency reporting to child safety on video-sharing platforms. She previously served as a member of Ofcom’s Content Board and was Managing Director for Europe at NewsGuard.
Katie Heard, Good Things Foundation
Katie Heard is Head of Research and Data Insights at Good Things Foundation. She is responsible for evolving the way Good Things Foundation understands the impact they are making: how many, who, how and the change that is happening.
Katie’s expertise spans across many roles and sectors, where she has led projects and programmes that transform approaches to supporting people who are (digitally) excluded or have long term and life limiting health conditions. Her approach to research and evaluation ensures that these populations are fully included and their needs are considered and amplified as a result of the research.
Laura Higgins, Roblox
Laura Higgins is Senior Director of Community Safety and Civility at Roblox with years of experience building safeguarding, online safety and civility programs. Roblox’s digital civility initiative is focused on providing the community with the knowledge and skills needed to create positive online experiences, working with the world’s leading safety and industry organizations.
In her previous role with the UK Safer Internet Centre, Laura founded several award-winning helpline services, and worked with the biggest names in tech. She has spoken on digital safety topics across the globe and regularly appears in the media sharing her expertise with industry experts, parents and kids.
Rhianne Jones, BBC R&D, Lead, Responsible Innovation Centre
Rhianne is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and leads the Responsible Innovation Centre for Public Media Futures which is funded by UKRI and hosted by BBC R&D. Rhianne has 10+ years of experience working in research and development at the BBC. She is a member of the BBC AI literacy and digital inclusion working groups, a member of the ESRC’s Digital Good Network management team, and a partnership lead on the AHRC’s Bridging Responsible AI Divides programme – all of which have a strong focus on questions of inclusion and literacy in relation to digital technologies and AI respectively.
Julian McDougall, Bournemouth University
Julian McDougall (he/his) is Professor in Media and Education; Principal Fellow of Advance HE and Programme Leader for the Professional Doctorate (Ed D) in Creative and Media Education at Bournemouth University. He is co-editor of the Journal of Media Literacy Education and Routledge Research in Media Literacy and Education and Chair of the Media and Information Literacy Alliance (the UK Chapter of Unesco MIL). In the fields of media literacy, media education, communications and cultural studies, he is author / editor of a wide range of books, articles, chapters and research reports and has conducted a diverse body of research for funding councils, government departments, media and technology industries, charities and non-profit organisations. He is currently working as a media literacy consultant with Ofcom and his next book will be published by Palgrave in 2025 – Media Literacy for the Communication Ecosystem: A Theory of Change for a Healthier Future.
Konrad Shek – The Advertising Association
Konrad serves as the Public Policy & Regulation Director at the Advertising Association, spearheading the organisation's initiatives in AI, digital technology, and data privacy. He also oversees the association's EU public policy and external affairs work and sits on the Executive Committee of the European Advertising Standards Alliance (EASA).
Konrad holds an MSc in Public Policy and a BEng in Electronic Engineering and Mathematics. He is an IAPP Certified Information Privacy Professional (Europe) and has completed several AI safety, ethics and governance certification programmes.
Fran Yeoman, Liverpool John Moores University
Fran Yeoman runs the journalism department at Liverpool John Moores University, where she teaches at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Her research interest is around news and media literacy, a subject on which she has worked with stakeholders including Ofcom, DCMS, DSIT and the News Literacy Network. She is a trustee of the Media and Information Literacy Alliance. Before moving into academia, Fran was a newspaper journalist with publications including the Times, the Independent and the i newspaper.
Natalie Foos/Anna Lindsay
VoiceBox is an international youth content platform and social enterprise dedicated to empowering creators aged 13-25 worldwide. Through their content platform and Ambassador programme, VoiceBox acts as an Early Warning System for decision-makers, bringing their attention to emerging trends and topics that young people care about. VoiceBox leads on a variety of research, projects, and campaigns, including their Coded Companions report. They have been commissioned by world leaders in tech to ensure that young voices are included in shaping future innovations and policies.
Jonathan Baggaley
Jonathan has been Chief Executive of the PSHE Association since September 2016. He was previously the Head of Education at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre