Most of us have had experiences playing with traditional playsets. In fact, many of us have fond memories and attachments to particular figurines or characters. Reminiscing about these experiences may bring up memories of your childhood imagination, your love to create stories and explore imaginary worlds, or even a desire to share these experiences with another person. If you’re like the two of us, you might have a couple cherished pieces sitting in a box somewhere hoping that one day someone will find them as meaningful as you do.

Let’s play the “what if” game for a minute. What if your playset knew you were playing with it? What if there was a “magic window” you could look through to see your playthings “come to life”? What if that character you just moved around could dynamically react to the scenarios you set up, talk to you, ask you questions, and encourage you to engage in other creative ways?

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The Cooney Center Fellows Program encourages research, innovation, and dissemination to promote children’s learning. Fellows participate in a wide range of projects and, in doing so, develop broad exposure to scholarship, policy, and practice in the field of digital media and learning. This professional development program offers opportunities to:

•  – Conduct and/or support research on digital media use among elementary school-age children;
•  – Translate research to respond to practical industry and practitioner needs;
•  – Expand the influence research has in government, education, philanthropy, and industry decision making;
•  – Develop new skills and perspectives that are critical to becoming a leader in the field of digital media and learning.

Current and former Fellows have led research investigations and published reports and articles on digital media innovations, industry trends, and policy solutions. They have also developed public presentation and media outreach skills, organized major cross-sector convenings, and contributed to the overall growth of the Cooney Center.

The Fellowship

For a period of one year beginning in Fall 2012, the Fellow will work in residence at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, which is located in New York City. Fellows also play a substantive role in ongoing Cooney Center projects and initiatives, and participate in the day-to-day operations of the Center, including publication production, annual leadership forum planning, and contributing to the website and newsletter. Fellows occasionally travel to present research for dissemination and professional development purposes.

Apply to be a Cooney Center Fellow

The Cooney Center Fellows Program attracts a wide range of applicants with expertise in digital media and/or in the fields of communication, child development, education, learning sciences, psychology, computer science, design, and public policy. We are seeking early career investigators, including recent graduates of masters and doctoral programs. Applicants from ethnic minority and underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.