About me

Research topic

Digital literacy in theory and practice: Learning from how experts and advocates engage in civic life

Gianfranco’s academic interests include digital literacy and resilience, citizenship and education, participation and democratic theory. His interest in digital literacy encompasses not only a focus on education and the learning of how to be literate in the digital age, but also a focus on the civic opportunities that digital literacy entails for citizens of all ages. In addition, Gianfranco is interested in the phenomenon of misinformation and in the practical policy implications related to the promotion of digital literacy in the context of education, civic engagement and democracy.

Employing a mixed qualitative methodology, Gianfranco’s doctoral project looks at the intersection of digital literacy with civic engagement. It focuses on two social categories in the United Kingdom: digital experts (e.g. information, IT, media professionals) and civic advocates (e.g. community councillors, political party candidates, activists). By drawing on a dialectical understanding of utopian thinking as relying on both utopianism and dystopianism, Gianfranco approaches the notion of critical digital literacy as incorporating users’ utopian/dystopian imaginaries of society in the digital age. Such an approach suggests that as utopian thinking projects utopian possibilities in synergy with awareness of dystopian limitations, critical digital literacy is essential for users to pursue civic opportunities online provided they understand the internet’s democratising potentials and structural constraints.

Supervisors: Professor Sonia Livingstone and Dr Ellen Helsper

Biography

Gianfranco’s research at LSE is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. His academic background is in international communications studies, in which he has both bachelor's and master's degrees, with a focus on media studies and foreign languages. In addition to Italian, Gianfranco is fluent in English and French and has intermediate-level Mandarin Chinese. In 2008, he obtained his bachelor's degree in Italy, final mark 110/110 cum laude. Before doing his master’s, he worked in Gaziantep, Turkey, as an assistant to the Honorary Italian Consul and Italian teacher for the Italian Institute of Culture. After a couple of years, Gianfranco moved to Ningbo, China, to teach English as a second language and study Chinese. He then established an import/export company in Brussels, Belgium, for which he worked as a co-manager. After returning to university to focus on his academic career, in 2014 he was awarded his master’s degree with distinction from the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China, with the support of a Category A scholarship provided by the Chinese government. Gianfranco is now in the final stage of his doctoral research in the Media and Communications Department at LSE. He has worked in this department as a Research Assistant on the Toddlers and Tablets project, as a Graduate Teaching Assistant leading the Dissertation Study Skills course for MSc students, and as a Classroom Assistant for Professor Bart Cammaerts on MC401 Mediated Resistance and Activism. Currently, besides writing his PhD thesis, Gianfranco is working as a Research Associate on the EXPloRing undeErStandingS for a Digital Resilience Scale for pre-teens (EXPRESS DRS) project, led by Dr Simon Hammond from the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at the University of East Anglia.

Expertise Details

Media Literacy; Digital Literacy; Digital Resilience; Citizenship and Education; Participation and Democratic theory

Academic Articles

Polizzi, G. (2020). Digital literacy and the national curriculum for England: Learning from how the experts engage with and evaluate online content. Computers & Education, 152. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103859. Final open access version available at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131520300592?via%3Dihub

Book Chapters

Polizzi, G. (2020). Information literacy in the digital age: Why critical digital literacy matters for democracy. In S. Goldstein (Ed.), Informed societies: Why information literacy matters for citizenship, participation and democracy (pp. 1–23). London, England: Facet. Published version available at http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/102993/

Policy Briefs

Polizzi G. & Taylor, R. (2019). Misinformation, digital literacy and the school curriculum (Media policy brief 22). London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/101083/

Reports

Polizzi, G. (2019). Children’s data and privacy online: Challenges and solutions (Meeting report on behalf of the Children’s Data and Privacy Online project). London, England: London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/assets/documents/research/projects/childrens-privacy-online/Report-launch-event.pdf

Blog Posts

Polizzi, G. (2020). Why we need digital literacy to participate in democracy [Blog post]. Information Literacy Group. Retrieved from https://infolit.org.uk/why-we-need-critical-digital-literacy-to-participate-in-democracy/

Polizzi, G. (2019, October 23). We need to promote children's and adults' media literacy... Of course, but how? [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2019/10/23/we-need-to-promote-childrens-and-adults-media-literacy-of-course-but-how/

Polizzi, G. & Livingstone, S. (2019, July 9). Data and privacy in the digital age: From evidence to policy [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2019/07/09/data-and-privacy-in-the-digital-age-from-evidence-to-policy/

Polizzi, G. (2019, June 27). Misinformation and the school curriculum: Five key challenges and how we should promote digital literacy [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2019/06/27/misinformation-and-the-school-curriculum-five-key-challenges-and-how-we-should-promote-digital-literacy/

Polizzi, G., & Gilchrist, K. (2019, February 5). Changing media habits mean having a conversation with children is more important than ever [Blog post]. London, England: Parenting for a Digital Future, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2019/02/05/changing-media-habits-mean-having-a-conversation-with-children-is-more-important-than-ever/

Polizzi, G. (2018, December 3). Misinformation and critical digital literacy: To trust or not to trust? [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2018/12/03/misinformation-and-critical-digital-literacy-to-trust-or-not-to-trust/

Polizzi, G. (2018, July 9). Fake news and critical literacy: New findings, new questions [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2018/07/09/fake-news-and-critical-literacy-new-findings-new-questions/

Polizzi, G. (2018, May 21). Fake news and critical literacy in the digital age: Sharing responsibility and addressing challenges [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2018/05/21/fake-news-and-critical-literacy-in-the-digital-age-sharing-responsibility-and-addressing-challenges/

Polizzi, G. (2018, May 8). Higher education and collaborative learning: Why we need critical digital literacy [Blog post]. London, England: Contemporary Issues in Teaching and Learning, Teaching and Learning Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://lsepgcertcitl.wordpress.com/2018/05/08/higher-education-and-collaborative-learning-why-we-need-critical-digital-literacy/

Polizzi, G. (2018, March 4). The internet and higher education: Reclaiming expertise in the digital age [Blog post]. London, England: Contemporary Issues in Teaching and Learning, Teaching and Learning Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://lsepgcertcitl.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/the-internet-and-higher-education-reclaiming-expertise-in-the-digital-age/#more-67

Polizzi, G. (2017, December 15). Critical digital literacy: Ten key readings for our distrustful media age [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2017/12/15/critical-digital-literacy-ten-key-readings-for-our-distrustful-media-age/

Polizzi, G. (2017, May 25). The Blue Whale game paradox, digital literacy and fake news [Blog post]. London, England: Parenting for a Digital Future, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2017/05/25/the-blue-whale-game-paradox-digital-literacy-and-fake-news/

Polizzi, G. (2017, May 22). Tackling fake news: Towards a new approach to digital literacy [Blog post]. London, England: Media Policy Project, London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mediapolicyproject/2017/05/22/tackling-fake-news-towards-a-new-approach-to-digital-literacy/

Keynotes

Polizzi, G. (20 September 2019). La tecnologia digitale e il dark web: Immaginando internet ai confini tra l’utopia e la distopia. Keynote delivered at the 11th International Short Film Festival “Corti in Cortile” (11esimo Festival Internazionale del Cortometraggio), held at Palazzo della Cultura, Catania, and organised by Visione Arte and Catania City Council, Italy.

Polizzi, G. (31 October 2018). What critical digital literacy entails and why it matters: Discussing educational implications based on the UK as an example. Keynote delivered at the International Reading Education Forum 2018, held at the National Taiwan Library, Taipei, and organised by the CommonWealth Magazine Education Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan.

Conference Papers

Polizzi, G. (12 February 2020). How to promote digital literacy: Challenges and recommendations based on the UK as an example. Paper presented at the digital literacy session of the International Conference on Media & Conflict (ICMC), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Polizzi, G. (10 July 2019). How digital experts engage with and evaluate online content: What digital literacy entails and how it should be promoted through the UK school curriculum. Paper presented at the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Media Education Research Section. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Polizzi, G. (20 September 2018). Critical digital literacy in the context of education and civic, political engagement: Reflecting on practical policy implications. Paper presented at the Research Conference on Communications, Information and Internet Policy (TPRC) Graduate Student Consortium. American University, Washington DC, United States.

Polizzi, G. (23 June 2018). Citizen competence in the digital age: Towards a holistic approach to critical digital literacy in relation to civic, political engagement. Paper presented at the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Political Communication Research Section. University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States.

Polizzi, G. (20 April 2018). Critical digital literacy: Reflecting on its importance for democracy and civic, political engagement. Paper presented at the 2nd International Media Literacy Research Symposium. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon, Portugal.

Polizzi, G. (10 October 2017). Democracy, citizenship and critical digital literacy. Paper presented at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Conference: Ways of Being in a Digital Age. Liverpool Foresight Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Polizzi, G. (16 June 2017). Digital citizenship and critical digital literacy: A few policy recommendations. Paper presented at the International Conference for Education and Democratic Citizenship (ICEDC). UCL Institute of Education, London, United Kingdom.

Polizzi, G. (9 June 2017). Critical digital media literacy and political engagement. Paper presented at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Symposium. London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.

Written Evidence

Polizzi, G. (2017). Written evidence submitted by Gianfranco Polizzi (FNW0071). “Fake news” inquiry – publications. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. UK Parliament. Retrieved from http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/culture-media-and-sport-committee/fake-news/written/48186.html (reported to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the 2017 LSE Annual Report as an example of impact for having been published on the UK Parliament website)

Oral Evidence

Roundtable meeting on news literacy and disinformation, organised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, UK Parliament. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Westminster, London, United Kingdom, 11 October 2019.

Roundtable meeting on media and digital literacy, organised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, UK Parliament. Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Westminster, London, United Kingdom, 31 January 2019.

Committee meeting on fake news, organised by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, UK Parliament. Portcullis House, Westminster, London United Kingdom, 22 March 2017.

Additional Meetings with Government Officials

Meeting with officials from the Pakistani Federal Ministry for Information and Broadcasting on digital literacy and misinformation. Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom, 20 November 2020.

Meeting with the Danish Agency of Digitisation on digital inclusion, organised by the London School of Economics and Political Science. Parish Hall, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom, 19 November 2019.

Selected Roundtables and Meetings with Industry and Civil Society

Phone meeting with BBC Education on their fake news campaign for teenagers, 4 December 2019.

Phone meetings with the UK Digital Life Skills Company on their digital literacy training and resources, 15 October 2019, 12 September 2018.

Adobe Creative Campus executive roundtable on digital literacy. Adobe Headquarters, London, United Kingdom, 15 May 2019.

Presentations Delivered at Meetings with Industry and Civil Society

Polizzi, G. (6 February 2020). Digital literacy and civic engagement: How to promote digital literacy and reach adults. Paper presented at the News Literacy Network meeting. The Economist Group, Cabot Square, London, United Kingdom.

Panel Discussions

Panel discussion titled “The threat of fake news”, organised by the Financial Times. Festival of Higher Education, University of Buckingham, Buckingham, United Kingdom, 27 June 2019.

Press Interviews

Kung. N. (2018, December 9). 社群當道、閱後即焚、同溫層效應⋯⋯在真假難分的時代，閱聽人該如何自處？Crossing, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://crossing.cw.com.tw/blogTopic.action?id=1041&nid=11081

Kung. N. (2018, December 9). Gianfranco Polizzi：一個四處為家的媒體研究者，如何看待世界？Crossing, Taiwan. Retrieved from https://crossing.cw.com.tw/blogTopic.action?id=1041&nid=11080

Lee, J. (2018, November 28). How to tackle fake news. CommonWealth Magazine. Retrieved from https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=2202

Lee, J. (2018, November 5). 如何從假新聞中突圍？波里西：大人小孩最需要這兩大能力. CommonWealth Magazine – Education, Parenting, Family, Lifestyle – Taiwan. Retrieved from https://flipedu.parenting.com.tw/article/5040

Ying, C. Y. (2018, November 1). 數位素養待加強，僅2%英國學童能分辨真假新聞. CommonWealth Magazine – Education, Parenting, Family, Lifestyle – Taiwan. Retrieved from https://flipedu.parenting.com.tw/article/5036?fbclid=IwAR303l8ROfwv999ORh-Q_srLKRunofNsRjOlmgxLbxEaneH82G1bU1q90hc

Other Interviews

London School of Economics and Political Science (2019). Q&A with Gianfranco Polizzi. Retrieved from https://lse.ac.uk/Research/researcher-profiles/Gianfranco-Polizzi

Gianfranco Polizzi

PhD Reseacher

Department of Media and Communications