Media Ethics LAB

Open research, integrated learning, and Civic Engagement

It's time to explore new ethical perspectives and sustainable frameworks
to underpin the building blocks of our human-technology ecosystem.

Established in 2019 at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, the Media Ethics Lab is a research hub that studies the ways that digital media practices and emerging technologies are marked by ethical issues and decisive political, societal and cultural questions.
Serving as a focal point for information related to academic programs, research, and public policy initiatives in the field, the Media Ethics Lab fosters open research, integrated learning, and civic engagement to explore the potential that information and communication technologies hold for enacting positive social change.

Our Research Areas

Our current research efforts are centered around Digital Equity, Digital City, and Digital Literacy.
We bring an interdisciplinary and multi-faceted approach to these topics, through our 3 pillars of action:
Open Research, Integrated Learning, and Civic Engagement.

Digital Equity

or what it means to foster inclusive and equitable communities for all.

Digital City

or how merging technology with urban environments requires rethinking internet accessibility and privacy.

Digital Literacy

or how to empower communities through cultivating important skills for the 21st Century.

Global Goals

The academic research and collaborative efforts we lead are nothing if not for the greater good, as we must not only work towards a healthier digital world, but a more equitable planet. All of the Media Ethics Lab’s efforts to better understand and improve digital realms such as digital cities, equity and literacy are done in support of the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Design Thinking

A major component of our research methodology relies on open and collaborative discussion. It is with this intention that we host periodical design thinking sessions that holistically aim to create a respectful, collaborative platform for bridging gaps evident in our contemporary digital media environment.

Advancing SDGs @UofT

The Media Ethics Lab, in partnership with the School of Cities, hosted a day of design thinking to explore opportunities for pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the University of Toronto.
The Media Ethics Lab to host a one-day design thinking event to develop a framework applicable to our topic: Literacy Now: designing building blocks for education and civic engagement in the digital age.

SDG Digital Inclusion Framework

This framework provides commentary and recommendations on how digital inclusion and digital equity initiatives can allign to and help accelerate progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Future Ways of Living Charrette Report

This is the first report of the Media Ethics Lab Charrette series, aiming to serve as the springboard for a larger media ethics dialogue. Published in partnership with George Brown College's Institute without Boundaries, this is equally a summary of the charrette findings as it is a blueprint for future discussion and innovation in the field.

Our Network

Our associate partner organizations beyond academic institutions include the Mozilla Foundation, the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the Institute without Boundaries (IwB), the World Wide Web Foundation, the City of Toronto, and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

...and you!

If you run an organization, university program or learning community, we want to hear from you. We’re passionate about sharing our knowledge on experiential learning and the charrette methodology with you. Our minds are open to whatever future project you want to discuss with us, and we look forward to growing our community with you.

Latest Resources