Meryl Alper Assistant Professor of Communication Studies m.alper@northeastern.edu 617.373.5161 @merylalper Expertise assistive technology, autism, children and media, disability and technology, mobile communication, new media, speech communication Meryl Alper in the Press CBC News Bluey’s surprise new episode was based on this dad’s chaotic family camping trip Meryl Alper, an associate professor in communication studies at Northeastern University in the U.S., tells us more about this charming blue heeler dog. Newsweek Prioritize Autistic Youth Mental Health Without Panicking Over Technology Op-ed by Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University. I Gave My Child a Smartphone and It’s Been the Best Thing for Her Meryl Alper, associate professor at Northeastern University, studies disabled children’s media use. She points out that the relationship between personal uses of screens and disabled kids can be very complicated. She says, “For some kids with attention and sensory challenges, a screen may be overly stimulating, especially after sundown, and disrupt a more natural bedtime routine. […] Disabled Do-It-Yourselfers Lead Way to Technology Gains Meryl Alper, assistant professor of communication studies at Northeastern University, argues in her book “Giving Voice,” that this app creates inequality. Tech Republic Microsoft’s new AI app to assist the blind could be a ‘game changer’ in accessibility Meryl Alper, assistant professor of communication studies at Northeastern University and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, said she believes the app could be useful, even for people who are not visually impaired. “What is obvious to one person can be invisible to another,” Alper told […] CBC Radio Can technology really give a voice to the voiceless? Assistive technologies are hailed as a way to “give voice to the voiceless.” But what exactly do we mean by giving voice? Meryl Alper is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University and the author of Giving Voice: Mobile Communication, Disability, and Inequality. The book explores how that concept of ‘giving voice’ can […] What ABC’s new TV series ‘Speechless’ can tell us about ‘voice’ There’s a lot of talk about the new ABC family sitcom Speechless, which premieres tonight. It marks the first time a network show will feature a lead character who uses an augmentative and alternative communication system (or AAC, as speech-language pathologists call it) instead of oral speech to express themselves. For many viewers, teenage J.J. […] Tech Insider If you have over 25 photos on Instagram, you’re no longer cool “Even though it’s decades old, the work of Erving Goffman is still super relevant here,” Northeastern University professor Meryl Alper tells TI. Goffman’s work explores human behavior as a theatrical performance, with a front and back stage. A person acts differently depending on the audience, which Goffman refers to as “impression management.” And on Instagram, teens […] Meryl Alper for Northeastern Global News April is Autism Acceptance Month. Public awareness helps those on the spectrum, expert says April is Autism Acceptance Month. Public awareness helps those on the spectrum, expert says About 75 million people around the world are on the autism spectrum, so chances are that includes someone living, studying or working nearby. Is TikTok helping autistic people self-diagnose? New research shows role app plays in diagnosis Is TikTok helping autistic people self-diagnose? New research shows role app plays in diagnosis Researchers examined the ways autistic people are using TikTok to find advice and sometimes themselves outside official diagnostic spaces. Cellphone bans in schools alone won’t curb distraction, says communication technologies expert Cellphone bans in schools alone won’t curb distraction, says communication technologies expert No-phone policies have swept districts after educators noticed that students were “glued to their devices” after returning to the classroom. What parents, not just children, can learn from watching ‘Bluey’ What parents, not just children, can learn from watching ‘Bluey’ The hit animated show about a family of Blue Heeler Dogs depicts an educational––and deeply relatable––picture of modern parenthood. The power of ‘voice,’ and empowering the voiceless The power of ‘voice,’ and empowering the voiceless Many people use their voices everyday—to talk to people, to communicate their needs and wants—but the idea of ‘voice’ goes much deeper. Having a voice gives an individual agency and power, and a way to express his or her beliefs. But what happens when that voice is in some way silenced? Meryl Alper, assistant professor of communication studies, found out. How new research and Sesame Street are expanding our understanding of autism How new research and Sesame Street are expanding our understanding of autism During National Autism Awareness Month, "Sesame Street" will air its first episode featuring a new Muppet: 4-year-old Julia, who has autism. Today the Northeastern chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma, along with the nonprofit Best Buddies, hosts its observance of Autism Awareness Day at Curry Crossroads. In recognition, we asked Northeastern experts to discuss some of the technologies being developed to help increase autonomy among people with autism. Professor examines benefits, social inequalities of voice technologies Professor examines benefits, social inequalities of voice technologies Professor Meryl Alper argues that while technologies that help people communicate are in the right direction, they have their shortcomings.
CBC News Bluey’s surprise new episode was based on this dad’s chaotic family camping trip Meryl Alper, an associate professor in communication studies at Northeastern University in the U.S., tells us more about this charming blue heeler dog.
Newsweek Prioritize Autistic Youth Mental Health Without Panicking Over Technology Op-ed by Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University.
I Gave My Child a Smartphone and It’s Been the Best Thing for Her Meryl Alper, associate professor at Northeastern University, studies disabled children’s media use. She points out that the relationship between personal uses of screens and disabled kids can be very complicated. She says, “For some kids with attention and sensory challenges, a screen may be overly stimulating, especially after sundown, and disrupt a more natural bedtime routine. […]
Disabled Do-It-Yourselfers Lead Way to Technology Gains Meryl Alper, assistant professor of communication studies at Northeastern University, argues in her book “Giving Voice,” that this app creates inequality.
Tech Republic Microsoft’s new AI app to assist the blind could be a ‘game changer’ in accessibility Meryl Alper, assistant professor of communication studies at Northeastern University and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, said she believes the app could be useful, even for people who are not visually impaired. “What is obvious to one person can be invisible to another,” Alper told […]
CBC Radio Can technology really give a voice to the voiceless? Assistive technologies are hailed as a way to “give voice to the voiceless.” But what exactly do we mean by giving voice? Meryl Alper is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University and the author of Giving Voice: Mobile Communication, Disability, and Inequality. The book explores how that concept of ‘giving voice’ can […]
What ABC’s new TV series ‘Speechless’ can tell us about ‘voice’ There’s a lot of talk about the new ABC family sitcom Speechless, which premieres tonight. It marks the first time a network show will feature a lead character who uses an augmentative and alternative communication system (or AAC, as speech-language pathologists call it) instead of oral speech to express themselves. For many viewers, teenage J.J. […]
Tech Insider If you have over 25 photos on Instagram, you’re no longer cool “Even though it’s decades old, the work of Erving Goffman is still super relevant here,” Northeastern University professor Meryl Alper tells TI. Goffman’s work explores human behavior as a theatrical performance, with a front and back stage. A person acts differently depending on the audience, which Goffman refers to as “impression management.” And on Instagram, teens […]