Our Mission
The Center for Media Innovation & Social Impact (MISI) exists to rebuild trust — in science, in democracy, and in one another — through impactful communication.
Media audiences are fractured. Trust in government is near historic lows. Algorithms curate not just what people see, but what they believe. In this fractured landscape, facts are questioned and credibility itself is contested. MISI asks: What makes communication trustworthy — and for whom?
MISI at Boston University advances research and practice at the intersection of media, technology, and democracy. We investigate how the media influences democratic participation and trust in public institutions — particularly in New England. Our work is directly informed by those most affected by today’s pressing social challenges to build a more just future.
Our History
MISI continues the work first started by director Eric Gordon at the Engagement Lab at Emerson College. Founded in 2010, the Engagement Lab utilized a collaborative method of storytelling that will be central to MISI’s mission: instead of telling stories about the communities most impacted by society’s greatest challenges, the Engagement Lab recognized the power in telling stories with them.
The Engagement Lab pioneered initiatives like Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence (TNGV) and Transforming Narratives for Environmental Justice (TNEJ), bringing community, communication experts, and medical practitioners into the classroom to collaborate on impactful and sustainable projects. MISI will continue that work and support the growth of both initiatives at Boston University.