Karen North, Ph.D. is a recognized expert in social media and in psychology. She is the Director of USC Annenberg's Digital Social Media (DSM) program, and a Clinical Professor in the School of Communication. DSM (formerly, Annenberg Program on Online Communities) is the world’s first master’s degree program and research center focused on the leadership and management of social media and online communities. Trained as a clinical and social psychologist and with considerable work experience in telecommunications policy and practice, Dr. North’s interests come together in the digital world where entrepreneurs and large companies seem most focused on using social and digital media to bring people together and form groups online. Dr. North teaches these skills and works with small and large companies in this sector. Prior to building USC’s online communities (social media) program, Dr. North was the Assistant Dean of the UCLA School of Public Policy. She previously worked in the Clinton Administration in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and before that she worked for Rep. Edward Markey, Chairman of the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.