Let’s face it - most people don’t think of research as sexy and exciting. But at Open Youth Networks we think that research is radical!
Why? Because research is an essential way that youth media groups can understand and expose the problems that youth face using concrete data and evidence. Research also gives us insight, not only about the problems but about the solutions. Research empowers us to advocate to policy makers and our constituencies why the work we do is necessary and effective.

That is why we are happy to announce that Open Youth Networks will serve as the “Guest Editor” for the March edition of IssueLab. This brand new exciting website collects and publishes nonprofit research on important social issues from across the political spectrum. OYN will be highlighting recent studies that give new insights on the importance of youth media organizations in areas such as public and democratic media, global justice, community-based economies, education, environmental activism, civic engagement and arts access. We will feature research, case studies, white papers, community ethnographies, surveys and other data sets about the following:

• Digital learning and media literacy
• Copyright, fair use and intellectual property
• Net neutrality and public media
• On-line behaviors of young people
• News industry bias (youth, race and gender)
• How African American youth view politics and civic engagement
• The role of youth and technology in global change movements
• Youth and social entrepreneurism

We will also be asking non-profit leaders in the field for their suggestions on Research Worth Reading. In fact, if you have any ideas, please let us know in the comments box below! Thanks.