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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · 13h

This work was supported by my Fellowship (09-12/2025) at THE NEW INSTITUTE in Hamburg thenew.institute/en

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · 13h

Big shout-out to my stellar international team of co-authors: @hendrikmeyer.bsky.social, @mikefarjam.bsky.social, @snurb.info, Helena Rauxloh & Michael Brüggemann. Grateful for such sharp minds and great collaboration! 🌍👏

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · 13h

New mixed-methods study out in Media International Australia! We compare 🇦🇺 & 🇩🇪 news framing of climate movements — revealing media polarisation: right-leaning outlets often frame activists as threats, while centre/left ones portray them less negatively. 👉 doi.org/10.1177/1329...

Polarised media framing of climate movements: A comparative mixed-methods analysis of Australia and Germany - Katharina Esau, Hendrik Meyer, Mike Farjam, Axel Bruns, Helena Rauxloh, Michael Brüggemann...

This study investigates the media framing of climate movements in Australia and Germany. Media frames are powerful tools for shaping public perceptions of socia...

doi.org

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

QUT Digital Media Research Centre @qutdmrc.bsky.social · 3d

Delegate registration will open the week of the 13th October 2026, so please keep an eye out on our socials and webpage for the release. To sign up to our Summer School mailing list and for further information, visit our website:

2026 DMRC Summer School – QUT Digital Media Research Centre

2026 DMRC Summer School | 2 - 6 February 2026The DMRC 2026 Summer School is back again for another year, featuring interactive sessions showcasing digital...

research.qut.edu.au

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

QUT Digital Media Research Centre @qutdmrc.bsky.social · 4d

Congratulations to Senior Research Associate, Dr Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social on her new publication with Axel Bruns and our colleagues in Germany - Hendrick Meyer, Mike Farjam, Helena Rauxloh and Michael Brüggemann.

Polarised media framing of climate movements: A comparative mixed-methods analysis of Australia and Germany - Katharina Esau, Hendrik Meyer, Mike Farjam, Axel Bruns, Helena Rauxloh, Michael Brüggemann, 2025

This study investigates the media framing of climate movements in Australia and Germany. Media frames are powerful tools for shaping public perceptions of social issues. While previous research has...

journals.sagepub.com

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

QUT Digital Media Research Centre @qutdmrc.bsky.social · 25d

To our Hamburg colleagues, please do attend this valuable talk from @kathaesa.bsky.social on the 25th of September at 12pm! She will be speaking about news media polarisation both in Australia, and beyond, and providing her expertise on destructive polarisation. 🎤 💭

Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung | Hans-Bredow-Institut @bredowinstitut.bsky.social · Sep 4

📣 Invitation #LeibnizMediaLunchTalk, Sept 25th, 12-1 pm, via Zoom, with @kathaesa.bsky.social from @qutdmrc.bsky.social about "Measuring and Comparing News Media Polarisation in Australia and Beyond"👉 leibniz-hbi.de/en/hbi-event...
@lisamerten.bsky.social

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Leibniz-Institut für Medienforschung | Hans-Bredow-Institut @bredowinstitut.bsky.social · Sep 4

📣 Invitation #LeibnizMediaLunchTalk, Sept 25th, 12-1 pm, via Zoom, with @kathaesa.bsky.social from @qutdmrc.bsky.social about "Measuring and Comparing News Media Polarisation in Australia and Beyond"👉 leibniz-hbi.de/en/hbi-event...
@lisamerten.bsky.social

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Alice Fleerackers (she/her) @fleerackers.bsky.social · Aug 19

Huge thanks to my wonderful, interdisciplinary, international team: @inesengelmann.bsky.social @riedlinm.bsky.social @kimosman.bsky.social ‪@voddenlaura.bsky.social‬ @kathaesa.bsky.social Arjun Srinivas & @snurb.info

Read the full article (OA) here: doi.org/10.1080/1751...

#scicomm #envirocomm

Amplifying the News: An Analysis of the Factors Driving Republication and Facebook Engagement with News

This study examines the factors that influence republishing, sharing, and engagement with news in a digital media environment. It does so using a sample of 69 stories about climate emergency prepar...

doi.org

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Alice Fleerackers (she/her) @fleerackers.bsky.social · Aug 19

New study — out today in Journalism Practice!

In it, we analyze the qualities of a news story (about climate-related emergencies) that predict whether/how much it is shared/engaged with on Facebook and republished by other media outlets.

Screenshot of journal article titled Amplifying the News: An Analysis of the Factors Driving Republication and Facebook Engagement with News.

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · Jul 16

Thank you @vstetka.bsky.social! The concept of the illiberal public sphere is powerful. I really enjoyed learning about your methods and findings and am now keen to see how this might apply elsewhere.

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Vaclav Stetka @vstetka.bsky.social · Jul 14

Very much enjoyed the panel on the rise of the illiberal public sphere at #IPSA2025, organised by the Political Communication section, as well as the panel on "destructive polarization" covened by @kathaesa.bsky.social - thanks for the opportunity to promote our work with @sabinamihelj.bsky.social!

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Crikey @crikey.com.au · Jul 9

Leaked results from the social media ban tech trial found most age verification providers do not have a commercially ready product, despite public claims the tech was set to go. @cameronwilson.bsky.social reports.

Leaked social media ban tech trial results don't support public claims, experts say

Australia's age-assurance technology trial released 'preliminary findings' that the tech was ready to go. Now experts have seen the underlying data, they're not sure that's right.

www.crikey.com.au

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · Jul 8

@snurb.info: "It's your birthday. You can cry if you want to!" Celebrating @qutdmrc.bsky.social DMRC's 10th bday with a stellar panel 🥳

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Axel Bruns @snurb.info · Jul 8

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the @qutdmrc.bsky.social today. What a ride it’s been, and thanks so much to our international friends who sent in messages of congratulations.

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

QUT Digital Media Research Centre @qutdmrc.bsky.social · Jun 16

Ten years ago today, Donald Trump announced his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2016 United States presidential election.

To mark the occasion, the Read Them Sideways team came together to record a roundtable episode of 10 Years of Trumpism.

open.spotify.com/episode/6PoX...

Episode 27: Ten Years of Trumpism DMRC Roundtable

Read Them Sideways · Episode

open.spotify.com

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

martin johannes riedl @martinriedl.bsky.social · May 30

🗞️ Our special issue on "Connective Democracy and Political Divisiveness" is out in Social Media + Society

Edited by Dr. Gina Masullo (@ginammasullo.bsky.social) and myself, a project of the Center for Media Engagement (@engagingnews.bsky.social)

TOC: journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...

Thread 🔽

$The illustration shows a bridge that has broken in the middle, and illustrates fracturing societies.$

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Reposted by Katharina Esau

Julian Fell @jtfell.com · May 6

It is often said that after young people buy a house, they tend to gravitate towards conservative politics.

But that step — a crucial marker of adulthood — has fallen increasingly out of reach for younger generations.

An old voting trend is breaking down.

www.abc.net.au/news/105253600

Trends show how younger, richer and rental areas voted

What data about voters' age, income level and home ownership status can tell us about the election result.

www.abc.net.au

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 3

😂

Reposted by Katharina Esau

Axel Bruns @snurb.info · May 3

I reckon we can say that Antony just called it, hey. #ausvotes

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 1

@snurb.info (hmm for some reason the linking didn't work)

Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 1

And last but not least: many thanks to @snurb.info for his thoughtful feedback on an early draft—and for his ongoing mentorship and support! 🙏

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 1

I also want to thank Gina M. Masullo & @martinriedl.bsky.social for their excellent work in organising this special issue on Connective Democracy. Check out the other articles here: journals.sagepub.com/topic/collec...

journals.sagepub.com

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 1

I would like to thank friends and colleagues @nicolecurato.bsky.social, Selen Ercan, John Dryzek, Simon Niemeyer, Jordan McSwiney, Hans Asenbaum, Friedel Marquardt for inspiring discussions early on this work @deldemucan.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lWz...

Deliberative Reciprocity and Listening as Antidote to Polarisation, 28 February 2023, Katharina Esau

YouTube video by Delib Dem

www.youtube.com

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 1

The article links my current research on polarisation @qutdmrc.bsky.social and earlier work at @hhu.de on deliberation online. It shifts the focus from “good messages” to constructive relationships in online public debate.

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Katharina Esau @kathaesa.bsky.social · May 1

✨ New article out in Social Media + Society on "The Quality of Connections" ✨ or how reciprocity & #listening can counter destructive #polarisation dynamics online
🧠 Read here (open access 🔓): journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

The Quality of Connections: Deliberative Reciprocity and Inclusive Listening as Antidote to Destructive Polarization Online - Katharina Esau, 2025

Conflict and disagreement are integral to healthy democracies, but the extreme polarization observed on many social media platforms poses a serious risk to the ...

journals.sagepub.com

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