Alison Bryant, PhD

Alison Bryant, PhD is Chief Research, Data, and Impact Officer at Sesame Workshop, where she oversees impact strategy and measurement, research, data, and analytics. She and her team ensure that insights and impact fuel strategic priorities, promote continued innovation, and further the Workshop’s global thought leadership on the power of media and outreach to educate and support kids and families. Dr. Bryant also oversees the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, Sesame Workshop’s independent research and innovation lab.  

Dr. Bryant is a renowned expert on the development and impact of media, technology, and play on consumers. Previously, she led AARP’s Research Center and the enterprise Technology and Digital Equity social impact area. At AARP, she transformed the Research Center with a focus on re-envisioning data storytelling, integrating insights, building research products, and expanding the impact of their work.   She concurrently built out and led the Technology and Digital Equity impact area and team, including impact strategy, partnerships, advocacy, education, and more. 

Prior to AARP, Dr. Bryant was the founder and CEO of PlayScience, a research and design firm that led innovation around branding, content creation, and development for marquee brands including Sesame Workshop, Disney, and Girl Scouts. Alison was also Senior Director of Digital Research for the Nickelodeon/MTV Networks Kids and Family Group and an assistant professor of communication at Indiana University. She has edited three books on media, families, and education. Her PhD is from the Annenberg School of Communication at University of Southern California.