Brett Caraway

Media, Economics, & Sustainability

Associate Professor

Institute for Management & Innovation

University of Toronto

Announcements

The Master of Science in Sustainability Management Program is delighted to welcome the Honourable Bob Rae, the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, as the 2024 Sustainability Leaders’ Series keynote as MScSM celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary. Over the last 10 years MScSM has grown rapidly, surpassing expectations, with a unique blend of core curriculum designed to prepare students for global sustainability challenges, and a broad range of experiential opportunities to acquire concrete experience. Ambassador Rae will join us virtually on November 7th from New York, where he will be discussing “Meeting the Moment: Canada and the Sustainable Development Goals.” For more information and registration: CLICK HERE

I have a new opinion piece in the Toronto Star that draws attention to the recent lawsuit initiated by several school boards in Ontario against the owners of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The school boards are seeking accountability for costs related to administration, IT, and mental health stemming from the widespread and extensive use of smartphones and social media apps among adolescents. The suit comes as the Government of Ontario has introduced new restrictions on cellphone use in schools. To read: CLICK HERE

 

I was invited to address the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the House of Commons. This was part of the Committee’s series of meetings on the Use Of Social Media Platforms For Data Harvesting And Unethical Or Illicit Sharing Of Personal Information With Foreign Entities. These meetings came in the wake of the government’s decision to ban TikTok on the mobile devices of public employees and as the Canadian Government undertakes a major revision of its approach to AI and privacy regulation. For more information: CLICK HERE

On October 9, I will be speaking about the relationship between the business model adopted by many social media platforms and the mental health implications for users. This panel is part of the Michael Wilson Lecture Series at CAMH.

Navigating the opportunities and perils of social media: According to CAMH data, almost one-third of Ontario students report spending five hours or more on social media daily. While debates about social media often focus on privacy and links to low self-esteem and loneliness, the opportunities for new kinds of connection and community building are immeasurable. What advice do mental health experts have for navigating the opportunities and perils of social media. For more information: CLICK HERE

I am very pleased to announce that I have accepted a five-year appointment as the Director of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM) program in the Institute for Management & Innovation at the University of Toronto Mississauga. I have been teaching and supervising in the program since 2019. MScSM is a professional masters degree program intended for students looking to pursue management careers in sustainability-related divisions and organizations. MScSM allows students to specialize in a management or science concentration. I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead this amazing program. For more information on the program: CLICK HERE

I am happy to announce that my new book Digital Media Economics: A Critical Introduction is now available for purchase. Written for a wide audience, from undergraduate and graduate students to citizens and activists, this book will teach you about how economics has influenced the digital technologies that we use every day. Most media textbooks won′t tell you much about economic terms, concepts or principles; this book will explain to you the economic theory and history underpinning everything from advertising to computers, social networking sites and streaming services. To read the preface: CLICK HERE