RRI Presents Research on Youth Civic Engagement at International Conference in Rome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ – June 19, 2026 — The Ramos Research Institute (RRI) sent representatives to the 2026 International Media Literacy Research Symposium (IMLRS) in Rome, Italy to present three Institute research projects in early June. This opportunity reflects RRI’s commitment to advancing youth civic engagement, democratic participation, and leadership development in the US and abroad.  

The 2026 IMLRS was attended by Executive Director Alejandro J. Ramos and Systems Thinking Fellow Sophia Portillo of the Institute's Gonzalez Civic Fellowship. They joined Dr. Belinha De Abreu, the founder of IMLRS, and Scholar of Media Literacy on RRI’s Scholar’s Council. 

Dr. De Abreu emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for collaboration within research communities. "The International Media Literacy Research Symposium opens up a space for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers at whatever stage of their career," she said. "In doing so, we build the media literacy community by bringing people together to learn from one another, network, and grow their collective body of work."

Ramos gave two presentations and a roundtable discussion across June 5 and 6. The June 5 presentation was on Ramos’s work conducted in tandem with Dr. Jimmeka Anderson of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), "From Highest to Lowest: High Youth Voter Turnout in Low Media Ecosystems." This study investigates factors that contribute to strong youth voter turnout in communities with limited media access. 

On June 6th, Ramos presented “Democracy at the Crossroads: A Qualitative Analysis of Youth Perspectives", a preliminary study that examines how young people understand democratic systems in a complex political landscape. It was based on research collected by RRI and focuses on themes of youth civic attitudes and participation. Read the report here. 

“It was an honor and privilege to return for this year’s installment of the symposium. I am grateful for the global community that Dr. De Abreu has cultivated and for allowing me to be a part of it,” said Ramos. “I am looking forward to the opportunity of attending the 2028 symposium in Dingle, Ireland and through the support of our generous donor bring the next cohort of Civic Fellows with me!”

Earlier in the day Ramos, alongside Portillo, presented a roundtable discussion based on RRI’s Gonzalez Civic Fellowship Program, “Empowering the Next Generation.” The roundtable served as the culmination of the fellowship where Ramos and Portillo presented the work fellows have done over the past months to foster thoughtful dialogue and democratic participation among students. 

"Attending the 6th Annual International Media Literacy Research Symposium in Rome was an unforgettable experience, not only as a Gonzalez Civic Fellow, but as a student,” said Portillo. “I had the privilege of being surrounded by experienced and rising scholars, professors, and advocates from the global media literacy community, who deepened my understanding of how so many factors alter how we perceive the media and the world around us." 

RRI's participation in the IMLRS reflects the Institute's ongoing commitment to producing research and creating opportunities that empower young people to engage thoughtfully in civic and democratic life.

For more information about the Ramos Research Institute and its initiatives, please visit https://www.ramosresearchinstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn.

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About the Ramos Research Institute:

The Ramos Research Institute (RRI) is an emerging research institution dedicated to original research, polling, and policy analysis focused on addressing today’s most complex societal challenges. Founded by Alejandro J. Ramos, RRI produces rigorous, relevant, and accessible research across key areas including civic education and engagement, media literacy, democratic resilience and renewal, education policy, and the voting behavior of minority communities. Through evidence-based inquiry and public-facing scholarship, RRI seeks to generate insights that strengthen democratic culture and inform policy and practice.

Contact:

McKinley Coontz

Public Engagement Associate

Ramos Research Institute

Cliffside Park, NJ 07010

www.ramosresearchinstitute.com

Email: mckinley.coontz@ramosresearchinstitute.org