Why Partnership Matters
Media literacy crosses traditional boundaries. It connects education with communication, technology, community engagement, research, lifelong learning, and responsible participation in society. Partnerships can bring together people and organizations that approach these challenges from different perspectives while sharing an interest in helping people become more thoughtful users and creators of media and information. DIMLE views partnership as an opportunity for shared learning as well as shared work.
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
Educational institutions are important environments for developing media-literacy knowledge and habits. DIMLE welcomes conversations with schools, colleges and universities interested in media-literacy education, educational resources, student learning, research, emerging media, or other areas of shared interest. Potential collaboration may include exploring educational-resource development, learning initiatives, research or public education, and other projects that align with the missions and capabilities of the participating organizations.
Libraries
Libraries connect people with information, technology, educational resources, and lifelong-learning opportunities. They also serve diverse communities across ages and levels of experience. DIMLE welcomes opportunities to explore how media-literacy resources, educational activities, public learning, or other collaborative efforts might support libraries and the communities they serve.
Community Organizations
Community organizations often understand local needs, relationships, and audiences in ways that broader institutions cannot. DIMLE is interested in conversations with nonprofit organizations, civic and cultural institutions, educational organizations, and other community groups seeking to strengthen opportunities for media-literacy learning. Collaboration can begin by identifying the questions and needs that matter to the community rather than assuming that one program will fit every setting.
Media Organizations
Media organizations play an important role in the communication environments that media literacy seeks to understand. DIMLE welcomes constructive conversations with media organizations interested in public education, media-literacy awareness, educational resources, community engagement, or other appropriate areas of collaboration. Such relationships should support inquiry and learning while preserving DIMLE's educational independence.
Educators and Researchers
Educators and researchers contribute knowledge that can strengthen media-literacy education and help identify emerging questions. DIMLE welcomes opportunities to exchange ideas, explore educational resources, consider research and publication, and identify areas where scholarly knowledge and public education can inform one another. Collaboration should maintain appropriate standards for evidence, attribution, intellectual independence, and responsible communication.
Emerging Media and Technology
Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are changing how media can be created, distributed, and experienced. DIMLE is interested in thoughtful collaboration that helps people understand these changes through the broader principles of media literacy. The purpose is not to promote a particular technology. It is to strengthen people's capacity to ask informed questions, evaluate evidence and output, understand context and consequences, and retain thoughtful human judgment as technologies evolve.
What Partnership Can Look Like
Partnership does not have to begin with a large project. A conversation may identify opportunities involving:
Learning and Education
- Educational resources and learning materials
- Student and educator learning
Community Access
- Community or public education
- Libraries and lifelong learning
Knowledge and Understanding
- Research and publication
- Media-literacy awareness
- AI and emerging-media literacy
Shared Resources
- Resource sharing and educational outreach
- Other mission-aligned initiatives
The appropriate form of collaboration depends on the goals, responsibilities, resources, and capabilities of the participating organizations.
Principles for Collaboration
DIMLE seeks partnerships that support its educational mission and strengthen public access to thoughtful media-literacy learning. We value collaboration grounded in:
- Educational purpose The work should contribute meaningfully to media-literacy learning or public understanding.
- Credibility Information and educational materials should be supported by appropriate evidence and responsible sourcing.
- Accessibility Resources and activities should seek to reach people with different needs, backgrounds, and levels of experience.
- Independence Collaboration should not require DIMLE to surrender its educational judgment or organizational identity.
- Transparency Roles, responsibilities, sources, and organizational relationships should be communicated clearly.
- Mutual respect Effective partnership recognizes the knowledge, responsibilities, and contributions each participant brings to the work.
Start a Conversation
A partnership can begin with a simple question:
What could we accomplish together that would strengthen media literacy education? If your school, college or university, library, community organization, media organization, educational institution, research group, or other organization sees an area of shared interest with DIMLE, we welcome the opportunity to learn more.
Tell us about your organization, the community or audience you serve, the idea or need you are exploring, and what you hope a collaboration might accomplish.
Contact DIMLE
