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
Dimitrova, D. V., Bock, M. A., Bucy, E. P., Coleman, R., & Dan, V. (2026). The power of visual framing in the age of AI. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 103(2), 409-429. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990251392597
Kirchmair, T., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2026). Annotation in action: Experimental perspectives on perceiving and labeling digital hate across four European countries. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, Article 3332187. https://doi.org/10.1155/hbe2/3332187
Khaleghipour, M., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (Accepted/In press). The strategic provocation of digital hate: Empowered targets’ perceptions of perpetrators and bystanders. Information, Communication & Society.
Weitzl, W., Sengupta, S., & Filieri, R. (2026). When service recovery promises meet bystander comments: a cross-cultural study of complaint responses. Electronic Commerce Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10660-026-10132-5
Khaleghipour, M., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2026). Caught in the storm: A qualitative study on digital hate targeting scholars. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 22, Article 101059. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101059
Kanková, J., Stevic, A., Binder, A., & Matthes, J. (2026). Time to BeReal! Exploring users' well-being in relation to BeReal use duration. New Media & Society, 28(5), 2101-2120. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448251317689
Khaleghipour, M., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2026). Over-time relationships of direct and indirect digital hate victimization on fundamental needs and prosocial bystander intervention: A two-wave panel study. Media Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2026.2636055
Kanková, J., Vranken, S., Matthes, J., Lazic, A., Hodzic, S., Seki, M., Kawano, Y., Ito, A., Sakagami, Y., & Iwakuma, M. (2026). Is generative AI your new therapist? A cross-cultural model of generative AI affordances, trust, use intentions, and willingness to attend in-person therapy. SSM - Mental Health, 9, Article 100630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2026.100630
Koban, K., Bührer, S., & Matthes, J. (2026). All roads lead to hate? Examining five prediction paths for online incivility and intolerance perpetration. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990261429081
Haberl, M., Hokamp, D., Urbániková, M., Waschková Císařová, L., Hanusch, F., & Lecheler, S. (2026). (In)visible bonds: Towards a dynamic conceptualisation of emotion in journalist- politician relationships. Journalism. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849261443681
Nguyen, P. Q. G., Bührer, S., Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2026). Where hate finds its home: Exploring digital hate perpetrators’ priorities across social media affordances and experiences with content moderation and user intervention against them. Information, Communication & Society.
Ahrens-Schwabe, A., Kosch, L., Stocker, G., & Boomgaarden, H. (2026). Who cares about artificial intelligence? Human and artificial voices in audiobooks. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2026.101068
Matthes, J., Nanz, A., Stubenvoll, M., & Kaskeleviciute, R. (2026). Disentangling the longitudinal relationship between social media use, political expression and political participation: What do we really know? Communication Research (CR). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502261430387
Matthes, J., Hodzic, S., Stevic, A., Nanz, A., Binder, A., Chan, M., & Bojić, L. (2026). There are risks, but I will use it anyway: Predicting the urge to regulate and the intended use of generative AI among youth in four countries. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1155/hbe2/3060652
Tóth, T., Bozdağ, U., Szabó, L. P., Háló, G., Demeter, M., da Silva, A. V., Matthes, J., & Major, Z. B. (2026). What have we learned, and what is yet to be learned about social media populism? A scoping review and meta-research. Annals of the International Communication Association. https://doi.org/10.1093/anncom/wlag014
Van Houtven, E., Dekoninck, H., Harff, D., & Schmuck, D. (2026). Adolescents as citizen scientists: Insights into their exposure to social media influencers’ sociopolitical content. Youth & Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X261431803
Koban, K., & Matthes, J. (2026). Subjektive Sicherheitsgefühle in hybriden Medienlandschaften. Evidenzgeleitete Empfehlungen für die Sicherheitskommunikation öffentlicher Institutionen. SIAK - Zeitschrift für Polizeiwissenschaft und polizeiliche Praxis, (1), 71-84. https://doi.org/10.7396/2026_1_F
Kanková, J., & Matthes, J. (2026). Think twice, scroll once: Encouraging critical reflection as a shield against health misinformation and overgeneralized messaging by social media influencers. Computers in Human Behavior, 177, Article 108896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2025.108896
Spielvogel, I. K., Matthes, J., & Binder, A. (Accepted/In press). When warnings fail and ads feel good: How advertising disclosures affect children’s understanding and feelings about narrative product placements. Communications - The European Journal of Communication Research.
Partheymüller, J., Aichholzer, J., Wagner, M., Plescia, C., Kritzinger, S., Eberl, J.-M., Meyer, T., Boomgaarden, H., & Müller, W. C. (2026). AUTNES Online Panel Study 2017-2024 (SUF edition): Version 2. Software or database, AUSSDA. https://doi.org/10.11587/HNUFCC
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Vision - Mission
We want to be core reference point for addressing media- and communication-related challenges, nationally and internationally.
Ian Ehm -
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.
Ian Ehm