"Looks Pretty Bad for the Brand": Young Adult Authors, Twitter, and the Challenge of Public Intellectualism

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Youth Activism, Ethical Discussions, and Educational Reform

Abstract

This paper examines how two authors of YA literature –Marie Lu and Daniel José Older – utilize Twitter to engage the public on issues of politics and ethics, and, in doing so function as public intellectuals. A subset of a multiyear study exploring the social media engagement of popular YA authors, this work investigates intellectual work being enacted by individuals whose primary audience is youth, on platforms where youth are positioned as valued participants and their contributions are sought. Findings suggest that YA communities on Twitter may provide teachers insight into important intellectual issues with which youth are engaging. We consider ways this work can be leveraged to promote equity and activism by and with youth.

Authors

• Connor Warner, University of Utah

• Nora Peterman, University of Missouri - Kansas City