Changing How Students
Engage with the World
Kruu's Code^Shift and Startup Garage programs bring together school students from across India and South Asia, challenging them to tackle real-world problems through research, media analysis and entrepreneurship. This report summarises participation, project themes and impact across both programs.
CODE^SHIFT — Media & Society Research
Research · Media Analysis · Data Equity · Inclusive Storytelling
What is Code^Shift?
Code^Shift is a research-oriented program where student teams investigate the intersection of media, technology, and society. Teams produce research posters and video presentations exploring how modern media shapes culture, identity, and behaviour.
CODE^SHIFT is a research hub focused on data equity and inclusive storytelling, founded at Texas A&M University in 2021, now at the Newhouse School, Syracuse University.
Led by Dr. Srividya "Srivi" Ramasubramanian
Dr. Srividya "Srivi" Ramasubramanian
Newhouse Professor & Endowed Chair · S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University · Founding Director, CODE^SHIFT
Dr. Srivi is the founding director of CODE^SHIFT, a 'collaboratory' focused on data equity, inclusive storytelling, and social transformation. She has authored a textbook on quantitative methods for social justice, delivered over 125 presentations, and published extensively across journals and public media.
She serves as editor in chief of Communication Monographs and is a recipient of the Presidential Impact Fellowship.
Code^Shift School Teams
| School | Team Members | Research Poster |
|---|---|---|
Gateway College, Negombo Sri Lanka | Nethika Rangajeewa, Susheyain Loraj Perera, P. Uvin Chanuth | Effects of International Social Media on Youth Culture Examined how Instagram and YouTube reshape Sri Lankan youth's self-expression and cultural identity. With 93.7% digital literacy, social media is an inseparable part of youth life — encouraging creativity and global awareness while challenging traditional values. |
DLF Public School India | Udbhav Bandhani, Prajjwal, Aadyaa Singh, Vihaan Koul | How did transformations in media systems shape public discourse during communal conflicts? Compared the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition (elite-controlled print, 75% elite voices) with the 2019–20 CAA Protests (polarized digital, 40% citizen voices). Digital platforms transformed conflict reporting into an emotionally charged arena deepening polarization. |
K.S.N Senior Secondary School India | Tanmayi Saladi, Rishabh Karthik, K P Tharun Sathreesh, Sriragni S | Femininity in Fantasy Worlds: From the Lost Boys to the Madrigals Compared Disney's Peter Pan (1953) and Encanto (2021) to trace female character evolution from passive domestic archetypes (Wendy) to proactive independent leaders (Mirabel). Challenges traditional matriarchal stereotypes in modern cinema. |
Darshan Academy India | Jubilee Sonta, Isha Bains, Sakshi Sinha, Sanchi Singh, Ruchi Rani | How Feminist Indian Films 'Pink' and 'Thappad' Challenge Traditional Gender Roles and Empower Women Examined how Pink and Thappad challenge patriarchal norms through themes of consent, dignity, and female agency. Key scenes — the slap, the courtroom 'No means No' dialogue — show women reclaiming power by refusing silence. |
Santhanam Vidhyalaya India | S. Boomikha, P.S. Vijitha, S.R. Prathiksha, V.L. Vasutharani, G. Maghalakshmi | How Do Teenagers Vary in their Levels of Online Safety Awareness and Media Literacy? Mixed-method study with 100 teenagers aged 13–17. Found 95% use social media 'almost constantly' yet only 3 out of 10 actually use built-in safety tools. Teens are creative, content-savvy, but often unaware of hidden online dangers. |
P.S Senior Secondary School Mylapore, Chennai – 600004 | V. Akhshay, Aradhana Suresh, Avinash Krishna, Ananya M | A Study on the Impact of AI Generated Misinformation on Social Media Platforms Studied AI misinformation's effect on trust and perception of youth aged 15–25. Analysed responses from a sample of 50 individuals. Most users struggle to differentiate authentic content from AI fabrications — AI is a primary driver of misinformation spread. |
Notable: The Gateway College (Sri Lanka) team brought an international lens, examining how social media integrates into Sri Lankan youth daily life with a digital literacy rate of 93.7%.
Research Poster Highlights
Each team produced a public-facing research poster and video presentation. Here's what they found:
Code^Shift Key Themes
Student research clustered around three major thematic areas:
Digital Identity & Culture
How social media reshapes self-expression, cultural values, and youth identity — especially across South Asia. Explored by Gateway College and DLF Public School.
Gender & Media Representation
Evolution of female characters in film and how cinema drives conversations on consent, agency, and equality. Explored by K.S.N School and Darshan Academy.
AI, Truth & Media Literacy
Investigating AI misinformation, algorithmic bias in conflict coverage, and teens' ability to spot synthetic content. Explored by Santhanam Vidhyalaya and P.S School.
STARTUP GARAGE — Student Entrepreneurship
Venture Building · Market Analysis · Product Design · Revenue Modelling
What is Startup Garage?
Startup Garage challenges students to develop viable business ideas, pitching real startup concepts covering market analysis, product design, revenue models, and growth strategy. Teams present end-to-end business proposals as if they were founding entrepreneurs.
Led by Professor Sean Branagan
Professor Sean Branagan
Director, Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship · S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
Professor Sean Branagan is a serial entrepreneur, educator, and startup mentor who returned to Newhouse to build programs connecting students with faculty, industry partners, and real-world venture opportunities.
Under his leadership, Startup Garage offers practical masterclasses, hands-on incubation, mentoring, and pathways to seed support for top student ventures.
Student Startups at a Glance
Each team built a complete startup pitch — from concept to revenue model.
Overall Impact & Highlights
Across both programs, students demonstrated an impressive breadth of skills — from academic research methodology and media analysis to market sizing, product design, and financial modelling.
Cross-border participation
Gateway College from Sri Lanka joined Indian schools, making Code^Shift a truly regional program.
Social impact focus
All four Startup Garage teams addressed real societal gaps — urban commuter stress, disability inclusion, informal labour, and financial literacy.
Grade diversity
Participants ranged from Grade 9 to Grade 12, demonstrating that entrepreneurial and research thinking can be nurtured across all secondary school years.
Rigorous methods
Code^Shift teams used quantitative surveys, content analysis, comparative film studies, and mixed-method approaches — evidence of genuine research rigour.
With Gratitude to
Our Mentors
This program was made possible through the expert mentorship of the CODE^SHIFT team. Special thanks to the following individuals for their commitment to fostering the next generation of talent:
Dominic Boakye
CODE^SHIFT Mentor
Shannon Burth
CODE^SHIFT Mentor
Manaswini Pillai
CODE^SHIFT Mentor
Irene Ghosh
CODE^SHIFT Mentor
Hannah Frazier
CODE^SHIFT Mentor
Lydia Asare
CODE^SHIFT Mentor