Covid-19 Updates

A new study has found that Black communities were able to effectively communicate about the COVID-19 pandemic through humor, while thoughtfully critiquing the very systems they’ve been disenfranchised by. The findings by Rachel Grant, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Journalism assistant professor, and UFCJC doctoral graduates…

David Cuillier, director of the  Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “What Are They Hiding? State Agency Quotes High Fees to Bog Down Requests” published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Sept. 8. The article focuses on public records requests made by the Las Vegas Review-Journal to find…

A new study has found that conservative media use is associated with greater perceived distance to COVID-19, while less partisan news use is associated with a smaller perceived distance. The findings by Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, UFCJC doctoral student…

Haoran Chris Chu, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations assistant professor, and colleagues have recently published research on deepfake resurrection narratives, vaccine communication and risk efficacy. Chu and University of Michigan Assistant Professor Hang Lu were the authors of “Let the Dead Talk: How Deepfake Resurrection…

A new study has found that factual tweets, regardless of whether they were COVID-related, were more engaging than misinformation tweets. The findings by Juliana Fernandes, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Advertising assistant professor, and a team of 10 scholars were featured in “People Still Care About the…

A new study has found that reactions to online COVID-19 death stories can be explained by narrative moral judgment theories. The findings by incoming University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations assistant professor Rebecca Frazer and colleagues at The Ohio State University are featured in “Demystifying Schadenfreude:…

Evan Kropp, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) executive director of Distance Education, is the author of “Advice for Choosing the Master’s in Communication Program that is Right for You” published on mastersincommunications.com. Kropp’s comprehensive guide is designed to help prospective students who are interested in a…

Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, was quoted in “America’s Culture Wars Extend Into Medicine” published in The Economist on Jan. 8. The article focuses on the decline in confidence in the medical establishment since 2021. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has…

A new study demonstrates that peoples’ social motivations for using voice assistants have a significant influence on how they perceive voice assistants’ character, persona and role. The findings by University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications doctoral student Fanjue Liu were featured in “Hanging Out with My Pandemic Pal:…

A new study has found that considering family conversation patterns in the fight against vaccine hesitancy is critical. The findings by University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) doctoral students Chelsea Moss and Shelby Thomas, and UFCJC Journalism associate professor Frank Waddell,  were featured in “Hesitancy in the…

A new study has found that the efficiency of a group’s adaptation to a threat is particularly pertinent to its survival. The findings by Cynthia Morton, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Advertising professor, doctoral students Sophia Mueller and Hye Soo Chang, alumnus Naa Amponsah Dodoo, Ph.D.…

Ann Searight Christiano, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Center for Public Interest Communications director, is the co-author of “Clinicians as Trusted Messengers – The ‘Secret Sauce’ for Vaccine Confidence” published on jamanetwork.com on Dec. 14. In the article, Christiano and Joanna Katzman focus on the global public…