J. Alison Bryant, Ph.D.
About J. Alison Bryant, Ph.D.
J. Alison Bryant, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Research, Education, Data, & Impact Officer at Sesame Workshop, where she leads initiatives to educate and support children and families. With extensive experience in research and education, she has held various leadership roles across notable organizations, including AARP and Nickelodeon.
Work at Sesame Workshop
J. Alison Bryant, Ph.D. serves as the Chief Research, Education, Data, & Impact Officer at Sesame Workshop, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she leads global thought leadership and innovation initiatives aimed at utilizing media and outreach to educate and support children and families. Dr. Bryant oversees the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, which functions as an independent research and innovation lab within Sesame Workshop. Her focus is on ensuring that measurable impact informs decision-making processes.
Previous Experience
Before joining Sesame Workshop, Dr. Bryant held several significant positions. She was the Senior Research Director at Nickelodeon from 2006 to 2009. Prior to that, she worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications from 1999 to 2003. Dr. Bryant also served as an Assistant Professor at Indiana University from 2003 to 2006. Additionally, she was the CEO & Chief Play Officer at PlayScience from 2010 to 2020 and held the role of Senior Vice President of Research & Enterprise Lead for Technology & Digital Equity Impact at AARP from 2017 to 2022.
Educational Background
Dr. Bryant has an extensive educational background. She earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Communication from the University of Southern California. She also holds a Master of Arts in Telecommunication & Film from The University of Alabama. Her undergraduate studies were completed at Davidson College, where she studied German, Political Science, International Studies, and Gender Studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Research and Impact Focus
In her current role, Dr. Bryant is recognized for her ability to translate consumer needs, experiences, and trends into actionable insights for various stakeholders, including C-suite executives and policymakers. She is passionate about uncovering future trends and finding solutions in complex situations. Her work emphasizes the importance of measurable impact in guiding decisions within the organization.