Julie Smith

Julie Smith is a media literacy expert whose career focuses on equipping students, educators, and the public with critical thinking skills for navigating the complex media landscape. Smith has taught at the college level for 18 years, serving as a professor at both Webster University and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Her areas of specialization include media literacy, advertising analysis, social media, digital literacy, and Web 2.0 strategies. Smith's expertise covers topics such as identifying online misinformation and understanding the psychological effects of social media.

Smith is the author of "Master the Media: How Teaching Media Literacy Can Save Our Plugged-In World" and "Wake 'em Up! Supercharging Engagement in Your College Classroom." She is also a co-author of "Media Literacy: Keys to Interpreting Media Messages." In addition to her books, Smith co-hosts the "What the Media?!" podcast with KMOX News and is a frequent guest on television and radio programs discussing media-related issues.

Smith has presented in 20 states and 14 countries at business and education conferences, as well as to student, teacher, and parent groups. Her keynote topics include digital forensics, online information verification, and the evolving role of social media in the news ecosystem. Smith's work explores the intersection of social-emotional learning and media literacy, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence and online misinformation on public understanding. She has been featured in major media outlets, including Washington Post, Huffington Post, and KWMU St. Louis Public Radio.

Smith advocates for a coaching approach to digital citizenship education, encouraging audiences to approach media with healthy skepticism. She emphasizes that media literacy empowers individuals to manage their online identities and counteract apathy and misinformation. Smith's academic background and practical experience position her as a leading voice in media literacy, digital citizenship, and information evaluation.