Dr. Colleen Russo Johnson is a developmental psychologist with an expertise in children’s interactions with and learning from media. Her work spans both cognitive and social development, with research interests including more traditional media (television, apps, eBooks, video chat), as well as newer technologies such as virtual/augmented reality and artificial intelligence.

After first discovering her passion for this field through an internship in children’s television, she has maintained an active presence in the children’s media industry through consulting and industry-academic collaborations. She completed her PhD at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she held the prestigious National Science Foundation graduate student fellowship and was a Curb Center scholar.

Dr. Russo Johnson is the Co-Director of the new Children’s Media Lab at Ryerson University, and an Adjunct Professor of Creative Industries. She is passionate about bridging the gap between academia and the children’s media industry by conducting meaningful, applicable research and through thoughtful dissemination.