Research
The research conducted by the Department of Communication tackles processes in public communication (via the media) and their infrastructure conditions, as well as their impact on society and individuals. From a comparative perspective, these include system and organizational research, journalism research, historical media research, and research into media content and impact. In terms of subject areas, our professors and academic staff work on such central issues as media regulation, media entertainment, media history, media innovation and media change, political communication, advertising and public relations. The use and further development of methods for empirical media and communication research are particularly key focuses, especially with respect to Computational Communication Science.
Publications
2026
Kulichkina, A., Balluff, P., Righetti, N., & Waldherr, A. (2026). Connective action and digital repression during China’s COVID-19 protests: A computational analysis of multilingual coordinated activity on Twitter. EPJ Data Science, 15(1), Article 39. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjds/s13688-026-00637-2
Beelen, E., Vranken, I., & Karsay, K. (2026). #mentalhealth: Mental Health Content on TikTok and Instagram Shared by Influencers and Organisations. European Journal of Health Communication, 7(3), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.47368/ejhc.2026.302
Wiesner, D., Eberl, J.-M., & Lecheler, S. (2026). Science on the political stage: analysing representations of science in Austrian parliamentary debates. JCOM, 25(6). https://doi.org/10.22323/385320260718153107
Lazic, A., Khaleghipour, M., & Matthes, J. (2026). Whose voices and which effects? A scoping review of migration and social media effects. Information, Communication & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2026.2733513
Saumer, M., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2026). Nudging against judging? Mitigating anti-LGBTQIA + online hostility by raising bystanders’ awareness and behavioral intentions. Information, Communication & Society, 29(13), 4059-4080. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2026.2636134
Binder, A., Stevic, A., Kanková, J., & Matthes, J. (2026). AI on dating apps: Links between usage frequency, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and willingness to use AI. Telematics and Informatics, 110, Article 102460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2026.102460
Zoizner, A., Matthes, J., Corbu, N., de Vreese, C. H., Esser, F., Koc-Michalska, K., Schemer, C., Theocharis, Y., & Zilinsky, J. (2026). Can AI-attributed news challenge partisan news selection? Evidence from a conjoint experiment. International Journal of Press/Politics, 31(4), 926-951. https://doi.org/10.1177/19401612251342679
Nassen, L.-M., & Karsay, K. (2026). Digital Agency Tools: A Way to Buffer the Negative Effects of Excessive Phone Use? Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 29(10). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/21522715261489910
Dan, V. (2026). Making truth easier to see: How to make fact-checks work on TikTok in the age of AI. Paper presented at Inaugural online workshop of the For Your Information (FYI) Network.
Knupfer, H., Weiß, P., & Matthes, J. (2026). Mobilizing potential? Right-wing terrorism-related social media use, fear, and civic engagement among German Muslims. Mass Communication and Society . Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2026.2731919
Neureiter, A., & Matthes, J. (2026). Inspired by “greenfluencers”: Young people’s use of greenfluencers’ content, compensatory green beliefs, and fashion consumption. Journal of Current Issues and Research in Advertising.
Weubel, D., Bauer, H., Karsay, K., Wendt, R., & Camerini, A.-L. (2026). "This didn't exist back then": A focus group study on adolescents' account of mental illness perceptions in the context of family, peers, and social media. Social Science & Medicine, 408, 119746. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119746
Rousseau, A., & Trekels, J. (2026). Selfies as a tool for self-presentation: Relations between strategic selfie-behavior, peer feedback and appearance dis/satisfaction among Belgian teens. Journal of Children and Media. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2026.2694774
Sarikakis, K., Ventista, O. M., Baumgartner, L., Gudkova, O., & Becerir, A. (2026, Sept 1). A guide for kids who love video games. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22232760
Sarikakis, K., Ventista, O. M., Baumgartner, L., Gudkova, O., & Becerir, A. (2026, Sept 1). A guide for parents of young gamers. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22233138
Thomas, M. F., Binder, A., & Matthes, J. (2026). Decision-making on dating apps: Is swiping more less and swiping right wrong? Media Psychology, 29(5), 867-898. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2025.2555430
Sarikakis, K., Ventista, O. M., Baumgartner, L., Gudkova, O., & Becerir, A. (2026, Sept 1). Ein Leitfaden für Eltern junger Gamer und Gamerinnen. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22233862
Sarikakis, K., Ventista, O. M., Baumgartner, L., Gudkova, O., & Becerir, A. (2026, Sept 1). Ein Ratgeber für Kinder, die Videospiele lieben! Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22233624
Wahl, I., & Einwiller, S. (2026). DEI communication and climate for inclusion in Germany and the U.S.: The mediating role of managerial integrity. Public Relations Review, 52(3), Article 102705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2026.102705
Forrai, M., Balaban, D. C., & Schmuck, D. (2026). Disclosures and literacy as determinants of AI-influencer recognition and well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 182, Article 108978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.108978
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Vision - Mission
We want to be core reference point for addressing media- and communication-related challenges, nationally and internationally.
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Studies
Nearly 3,800 students are enrolled at our Department. With one Bachelor’s program, two Master’s programs, and a Doctoral program, we offer a diverse range of study opportunities.
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Staff
In research, teaching, and administration, our staff shape who we are as a Department and contribute to its daily work.
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Open Positions
Join us in advancing innovative research and high-quality teaching at the Department of Communication.
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