Michael Levine, PhD

Michael Levine, PhD, is the founding director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, an action research and innovation hub devoted to harnessing the potential of digital media to advance young children’s learning and healthy development. Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Levine served as Vice President of New Media and Executive Director of Education for Asia Society, managing the global nonprofit’s interactive media and educational initiatives to promote understanding of Asia and other world regions, languages, and cultures. Previously, Dr. Levine oversaw Carnegie Corporation of New York’s groundbreaking work in early childhood development, educational media, and primary grades reform, and was a senior advisor to the New York City Schools Chancellor, where he directed dropout prevention, afterschool, and early childhood initiatives. Dr. Levine often serves as an adviser to government and public media organizations such as the U.S. Department of Education, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and he writes for policy groups such as the National Governors Association, Democracy Journal, and Education Week. He serves on numerous nonprofit boards and advisory councils, including for the Forum for Youth Investment, Teach For America, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Healthy Apps Challenge, and Talaris Institute.