The Center for Community-Engaged Media (CCEM) at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication is dedicated to strengthening the civic health of communities through participatory research, collaborative storytelling and inclusive communication practices. We believe that information is a public good—and that communities thrive when they have access to relevant, equitable and solutions-oriented media.
CCEM works at the intersection of journalism, media innovation and civic engagement. We support projects and partnerships that center the information needs, voices and lived experiences of local communities. Whether through collaborative research, support for grassroots media efforts or engagement with professional newsrooms, CCEM’s work is grounded in the belief that media should be created with communities, not just about them.
Our approach builds on years of community-centered work by faculty, students and media partners in Philadelphia and beyond. CCEM provides a home for this work to grow—offering structure, resources and space for experimentation that bridges academic research and real-world impact.
We collaborate with journalists, scholars, community organizations and residents to co-create media and research that reflects the realities and priorities of the people it serves. Through this work, we aim to inform more just communication infrastructures and contribute to stronger, more connected communities.