Dr. Jacqueline Vickery

I’m a Colorado-based researcher, educator, and consultant who helps schools, families, and youth-serving organizations navigate digital life with clarity, developmental insight, and evidence-informed practice.

In my past life, I was a tenured professor of media education and founder of the Youth Media Lab at the University of North Texas. Across nearly two decades of teaching, research, and program leadership, my work has focused on media literacy, youth development, digital equity, and program design - with an emphasis on translating research into practice that communities can actually use.

Today, I lead Jacqueline Vickery Consulting, LLC, where I partner with organizations through Mindful Media, a media education program I designed to support healthier digital cultures for young people and the adults who care for them. I also continue to conduct contract-based research, collaborating with mission-driven organizations to generate qualitative and mixed-method insights that inform strategy, policy, and practice.

My work brings academic rigor together with real-world context, supporting research initiatives, professional learning, youth program development, and community education that is equity-centered, trauma-informed, and grounded in evidence.

When I’m not working, you can find me fanatically watching college sports (Boomer Sooner!), hiking and cycling beautiful trails, traveling with my favorite people, or juggling far too many books and pretending I know how to cook better than I actually do.

Researcher and Author

I’m the author of 3 books, including Worried About the Wrong Things (MIT Press), and other publications examining youth, gender, equity, and opportunity.

Trauma-Informed & Culturally Responsive Practice

Led programs and learning experiences with youth navigating mental illness, LGBTQ+ identity, foster care, and under-resourced systems using trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches.

Educator and Facilitator

Nearly 20 years of experience teaching, mentoring, and designing curriculum for youth, adults, and educators across schools, nonprofits, and universities.

Community Engagement

Active CASA volunteer in Larimer County and long-time collaborator with youth-serving organizations, bringing a trauma-informed, equity-centered approach to every partnership.

Program Founder and Director

Founded and directed the Youth Media Lab, designing, implementing, and evaluating media education and storytelling initiatives across school, nonprofit, and child welfare settings.

Speaker & Facilitator

Delivered keynotes, workshops, and trainings across the U.S. and internationally, translating research into actionable strategies for educators, caregivers, policymakers, and youth advocates.