Kate FitzGerald
@katemfitzgerald.bsky.social
PhD Candidate & Research Analyst @ Digital Media Research Centre, QUT.
Research information disorder, conspiracy theories, and knowledge production practices.
Read Them Sideways podcast co-host and producer.
(she/her) 🇦🇺 🇮🇪
Research information disorder, conspiracy theories, and knowledge production practices.
Read Them Sideways podcast co-host and producer.
(she/her) 🇦🇺 🇮🇪
A new article by me in @theconversation.com about forthcoming research with fab colleagues @snurb.info, @riedlinm.bsky.social, @phzerosounds.bsky.social, @timothyjgraham.bsky.social, and @antmandan.bsky.social. Looking forward to presenting this at the #AANZCA2025 conference this week! 🎉
PhD researcher Kate FitzGerald has a new article out in The Conversation today looking at generative AI chatbots and conspiracy theories.
AI chatbots are encouraging conspiracy theories – new research
If you interact with chatbots about conspiracy theories, research shows you can can easily fall down the rabbit hole.
theconversation.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 AM
A new article by me in @theconversation.com about forthcoming research with fab colleagues @snurb.info, @riedlinm.bsky.social, @phzerosounds.bsky.social, @timothyjgraham.bsky.social, and @antmandan.bsky.social. Looking forward to presenting this at the #AANZCA2025 conference this week! 🎉
Academic hot take: getting stood up for a research interview is significantly worse than getting stood up on a date 😭
November 13, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Academic hot take: getting stood up for a research interview is significantly worse than getting stood up on a date 😭
Excellent new paper from an excellent colleague! Anybody looking at user practices online should engage with this paper and model. Well done @kkasianenko.bsky.social!
Congratulations to research fellow Kateryna Kasianenko (@kkasianenko.bsky.social) on her recent publication in Communication Theory!
"Elements of practices in digital publics: a model for identifying collective doings on social media platforms" can be read here now! academic.oup.com/ct/...
"Elements of practices in digital publics: a model for identifying collective doings on social media platforms" can be read here now! academic.oup.com/ct/...
November 3, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Excellent new paper from an excellent colleague! Anybody looking at user practices online should engage with this paper and model. Well done @kkasianenko.bsky.social!
It's the last day of October and the last day of the One Foot Forward challenge! I met my distance goal, but would love any last minute donations to help further my fundraising goal! Thanks in advance everyone.
Hi all, in October I am participating in the One Foot Forward initiative by the Black Dog Institute, to raise money to support Australians impacted by mental illness.
www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...?
www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...?
Support my 40km challenge for mental health research!
Together, we can help create better mental health for all.
www.onefootforward.org.au
October 31, 2025 at 6:25 AM
It's the last day of October and the last day of the One Foot Forward challenge! I met my distance goal, but would love any last minute donations to help further my fundraising goal! Thanks in advance everyone.
Hi all, in October I am participating in the One Foot Forward initiative by the Black Dog Institute, to raise money to support Australians impacted by mental illness.
www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...?
www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...?
Support my 40km challenge for mental health research!
Together, we can help create better mental health for all.
www.onefootforward.org.au
September 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Hi all, in October I am participating in the One Foot Forward initiative by the Black Dog Institute, to raise money to support Australians impacted by mental illness.
www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...?
www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...?
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
Australian media and politicians have taken a huge interest in an overseas figure the vast majority of their constituents would have never heard of prior to September 10, @theshufflediary.bsky.social writes.
Charlie Kirk's martyrdom in the US is to be expected. Here, it's baffling
www.crikey.com.au
September 16, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Australian media and politicians have taken a huge interest in an overseas figure the vast majority of their constituents would have never heard of prior to September 10, @theshufflediary.bsky.social writes.
It was great to listen to @essideh.com discuss his new book, The Discursive-Digital Link this week! 📖 📚 🎉
After a brief hiatus, the Read Them Sideways podcast is back! In this week's episode, Klaus Groebner (@gklaus.bsky.social) interviews Dr Ehsan Dehghan (@essideh.com) about his new book: The Discursive-Digital Link.
Listen to Klaus and Ehsan chat about the new book below!
Listen to Klaus and Ehsan chat about the new book below!
Episode 32: The Discursive-Digital Link with Ehsan Dehghan
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:45 AM
It was great to listen to @essideh.com discuss his new book, The Discursive-Digital Link this week! 📖 📚 🎉
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
You guys
Laura Loomer, who the president has consulted for decisions on who to fire, is arguing with a chatbot
August 18, 2025 at 10:20 AM
You guys
Some super interesting case studies in this issue - would highly recommend for fandom scholars!
Two of our postdoctoral research associates, @svegaard.bsky.social and @vilkins.bsky.social , have guest edited the latest issue of M/C Journal. They have curated some excellent articles around the theme of fandom and politics.
Read the issue here! journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mc...
Read the issue here! journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mc...
M/C Journal
M/C Journal - a journal of media and culture, founded in 1998.
journal.media-culture.org.au
August 18, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Some super interesting case studies in this issue - would highly recommend for fandom scholars!
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
Apparently a completely peaceful march across Sydney Harbour Bridge today was extremely perilous.
Yet somehow fewer people (i.e. nobody) died today than when NSW Police were asked to assist with a 95-year-old nursing home resident behaving erratically.
Yet somehow fewer people (i.e. nobody) died today than when NSW Police were asked to assist with a 95-year-old nursing home resident behaving erratically.
Never change Australian coppers www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
August 3, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Apparently a completely peaceful march across Sydney Harbour Bridge today was extremely perilous.
Yet somehow fewer people (i.e. nobody) died today than when NSW Police were asked to assist with a 95-year-old nursing home resident behaving erratically.
Yet somehow fewer people (i.e. nobody) died today than when NSW Police were asked to assist with a 95-year-old nursing home resident behaving erratically.
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
Good shit Sydney
NEW: Incredible scenes in Sydney, Australia today as tens of thousands march for Gaza, demanding an end to the genocide.
#MarchForHumanity
(🎥 Ema Franklin)
#MarchForHumanity
(🎥 Ema Franklin)
August 3, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Good shit Sydney
Happy publication week! 🎉
I had the genuine pleasure of chatting with @arielbogle.bsky.social and @cameronwilson.bsky.social last week about their new book, CONSPIRACY NATION.
Can confirm, it’s an excellent read.
You can hear their thoughts on the link below: open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
I had the genuine pleasure of chatting with @arielbogle.bsky.social and @cameronwilson.bsky.social last week about their new book, CONSPIRACY NATION.
Can confirm, it’s an excellent read.
You can hear their thoughts on the link below: open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
Episode 31: Conspiracy Nation Book Launch with Ariel Bogle and Cameron Wilson
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 1, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Happy publication week! 🎉
I had the genuine pleasure of chatting with @arielbogle.bsky.social and @cameronwilson.bsky.social last week about their new book, CONSPIRACY NATION.
Can confirm, it’s an excellent read.
You can hear their thoughts on the link below: open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
I had the genuine pleasure of chatting with @arielbogle.bsky.social and @cameronwilson.bsky.social last week about their new book, CONSPIRACY NATION.
Can confirm, it’s an excellent read.
You can hear their thoughts on the link below: open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
We were lucky to be joined by @arielbogle.bsky.social and @cameronwilson.bsky.social on the Read Them Sideways podcast to talk about their new book with host, @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social.
open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
August 1, 2025 at 10:54 AM
We were lucky to be joined by @arielbogle.bsky.social and @cameronwilson.bsky.social on the Read Them Sideways podcast to talk about their new book with host, @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social.
open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
open.spotify.com/episode/00Go...
It was fantastic to collaborate with my colleague @phzerosounds.bsky.social on this piece! The Epstein files drama doesn't seem to be going away, so watch this space for further thoughts...
Trump loyalists have been baying for the release of the Epstein files for years. Now, Trump wants his supporters to forget about them — and MAGA is pissed.
Donald Trump stokes the flames of conspiracy — but the Epstein saga may burn him to the ground
Donald Trump's Justice Department has corroborated the official story of the death of Jeffrey Epstein. MAGA is pissed.
www.crikey.com.au
July 15, 2025 at 2:57 AM
It was fantastic to collaborate with my colleague @phzerosounds.bsky.social on this piece! The Epstein files drama doesn't seem to be going away, so watch this space for further thoughts...
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
New research shows that believers in conspiracy theories have no idea how fringe their own beliefs are, and they vastly overestimate their own abilities
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:37 AM
New research shows that believers in conspiracy theories have no idea how fringe their own beliefs are, and they vastly overestimate their own abilities
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
This was one of the most fun (and longest...) episodes we have recorded! Was great to chat 10 years of Trumpism with @phzerosounds.bsky.social, @timothyjgraham.bsky.social, @kkasianenko.bsky.social and our excellent host @svegaard.bsky.social.
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...
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
June 16, 2025 at 3:57 AM
This was one of the most fun (and longest...) episodes we have recorded! Was great to chat 10 years of Trumpism with @phzerosounds.bsky.social, @timothyjgraham.bsky.social, @kkasianenko.bsky.social and our excellent host @svegaard.bsky.social.
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
BREAKING: Judge Breyer orders Trump to return control of the National Guard back to California, saying the call-up was illegal. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
June 13, 2025 at 12:59 AM
BREAKING: Judge Breyer orders Trump to return control of the National Guard back to California, saying the call-up was illegal. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Great work from my co-host @svegaard.bsky.social and my good colleague Vish on the most recent episode of the podcast! They chat #Netflix Adolescence, #radicalisation, and the manosphere. Definitely worth a listen for everyone who also binge watched this show!
Some weekend listening from the Read Them Sideways podcast team and guest Vish Padinjaredath Suresh!
@svegaard.bsky.social chats with Vish about Netflix's recent miniseries Adolescence and how it relates to their work on the manosphere and radicalisation.
open.spotify.com/episode/4YJv...
@svegaard.bsky.social chats with Vish about Netflix's recent miniseries Adolescence and how it relates to their work on the manosphere and radicalisation.
open.spotify.com/episode/4YJv...
Episode 25: The Manosphere and Netflix's "Adolescence" with Vish Padinjaredath Suresh
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
May 16, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Great work from my co-host @svegaard.bsky.social and my good colleague Vish on the most recent episode of the podcast! They chat #Netflix Adolescence, #radicalisation, and the manosphere. Definitely worth a listen for everyone who also binge watched this show!
Reposted by Kate FitzGerald
🚨 “Would the Coalition’s plan reduce energy bills by more than Labor’s?”
The Conversation asked five experts, and all of them said “no”. Here are their detailed responses. ⤵️
#auspol
theconversation.com/would-the-co...
The Conversation asked five experts, and all of them said “no”. Here are their detailed responses. ⤵️
#auspol
theconversation.com/would-the-co...
Would the Coalition lower energy bills by more than Labor? We asked 5 experts
Both Labor and the Coalition say their energy policies are the best way to bring household power costs down – but which side is right?
theconversation.com
April 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM
🚨 “Would the Coalition’s plan reduce energy bills by more than Labor’s?”
The Conversation asked five experts, and all of them said “no”. Here are their detailed responses. ⤵️
#auspol
theconversation.com/would-the-co...
The Conversation asked five experts, and all of them said “no”. Here are their detailed responses. ⤵️
#auspol
theconversation.com/would-the-co...
I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with @vilkins.bsky.social for the Read Them Sideways podcast about our recent work on the Australian federal election campaign. We talk about the trends we've observed on Facebook and Instagram so far. #ausvotes #auspol
open.spotify.com/episode/2eHG...
open.spotify.com/episode/2eHG...
Episode 24: Social Media Trends During the Australian Federal Election Campaign with Sam Vilkins
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
I had the opportunity to have a quick chat with @vilkins.bsky.social for the Read Them Sideways podcast about our recent work on the Australian federal election campaign. We talk about the trends we've observed on Facebook and Instagram so far. #ausvotes #auspol
open.spotify.com/episode/2eHG...
open.spotify.com/episode/2eHG...
So good to be surrounded by talented colleagues doing such innovative work in our field. :)
New article from an excellent group of QUT DMRC researchers, presenting a novel analytical method that will be of benefit to the field as a whole: practice mapping!
We have already started used this method in various conference presentations, so read the below paper to learn more. 🧠 📖
We have already started used this method in various conference presentations, so read the below paper to learn more. 🧠 📖
💡 NEW ARTICLE ALERT 💡
My article with @qutdmrc.bsky.social colleagues @kkasianenko.bsky.social, @vishneww.bsky.social, @essideh.com, and @voddenlaura.bsky.social is now out in Social Media + Society.
We introduce a new analytics method: #PracticeMapping.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
My article with @qutdmrc.bsky.social colleagues @kkasianenko.bsky.social, @vishneww.bsky.social, @essideh.com, and @voddenlaura.bsky.social is now out in Social Media + Society.
We introduce a new analytics method: #PracticeMapping.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
April 28, 2025 at 12:04 AM
So good to be surrounded by talented colleagues doing such innovative work in our field. :)
Some interesting insights we've observed so far in the election campaign! #auspol
Researchers from our Laureate team, @snurb.info, @vilkins.bsky.social, @voddenlaura.bsky.social, and @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social have written a mid-campaign update on the Australian Federal Election.
research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/2025/04...
research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/2025/04...
2025 Federal Election: Mid-Campaign Update - QUT Digital Media Research Centre
As in previous elections the QUT Digital Media Research Centre team is tracking how election campaigning is unfolding across the social media landscape, with a particular focus on candidate and party ...
research.qut.edu.au
April 23, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Some interesting insights we've observed so far in the election campaign! #auspol
It was great to have @carlylubicz.bsky.social on the Read Them Sideways podcast this week!
💡 A new episode of the Read Them Sideways podcast for your long weekend! 💡
PhD researcher Carly Lubicz-Zaorski @carlylubicz.bsky.social chatted with @phzerosounds.bsky.social about energy and climate debates in the lead up to the 2025 Australian Federal election. 🗳️
open.spotify.com/episode/3FEc...
PhD researcher Carly Lubicz-Zaorski @carlylubicz.bsky.social chatted with @phzerosounds.bsky.social about energy and climate debates in the lead up to the 2025 Australian Federal election. 🗳️
open.spotify.com/episode/3FEc...
Episode 23: Debating Energy and Climate in the Australian Election with Carly Lubicz-Zaorski
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
It was great to have @carlylubicz.bsky.social on the Read Them Sideways podcast this week!
Can't wait to read this! My research looks largely at international conspiracy theories, so can't wait to see what Cam and Ariel have uncovered here at home.
Our secret plot has finally been revealed:
Ariel Bogle and I have written a book: 'CONSPIRACY NATION: Exposing the dangerous world of Australian conspiracy theories'
We have a lot to share about what we uncovered, but for now you can pre-order it here: bio.to/ConspiracyNation
Ariel Bogle and I have written a book: 'CONSPIRACY NATION: Exposing the dangerous world of Australian conspiracy theories'
We have a lot to share about what we uncovered, but for now you can pre-order it here: bio.to/ConspiracyNation
April 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Can't wait to read this! My research looks largely at international conspiracy theories, so can't wait to see what Cam and Ariel have uncovered here at home.
QUELLE SURPRISE
The five politicians whose personal share portfolios took the biggest hit in the wake of the Trump tariff chaos were all Coalition MPs. Anton Nilsson reports.
The biggest losers in Australian politics (in the sharemarket, of course...)
With the sharemarket in turmoil and the dollar tanking, there's a lot of money to be lost. We crunch the numbers on which Aussie politician is the biggest loser.
www.crikey.com.au
April 8, 2025 at 5:55 AM
QUELLE SURPRISE