Amanda directs the Pew Internet & American Life Project's research on teens, children and families. Her other research interests include education, gaming, and networked communication tools like mobile phones, social networks, blogging and microblogging. For her research about and knowledge of youth and their use of technology, Amanda has testified before a congressional subcommittee, the FTC and the U.S. States’ Attorneys General, and presented her work at numerous academic and non-academic conferences and briefings as well as to the media.

Amanda has been with the Project since its inception, and prior to that worked in communications and journalism, notably as editorial coordinator of Civilization magazine. She graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with a double major in English and Anthropology, and earned a Masters with distinction from Georgetown University in Communications, Culture and Technology.