Katharina Esau
@kathaesa.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow @qutdmrc.bsky.social, Pol Comm, Digital Publics, Democratic Innovation, Automated & Relational Content & Sequence Analysis, interested in news media, polarisation & opinion formation online: https://shorturl.at/4WIcP
Pinned
Katharina Esau
@kathaesa.bsky.social
· May 1
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
✨ 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....
🧠 Read here (open access 🔓): journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Katharina Esau
🔍 Insightful piece debunking some of the "mythology” behind Big Data:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
#commsky #polsky #bigdata
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
#commsky #polsky #bigdata
Rethinking Scaling Up Content Analysis: A Reappraisal of Justifications and Practices for Large-Scale Content Analysis - Maximilian Linde, Chung-hong Chan, Paul Balluff, 2025
The use of automated coding procedures to scale up content analysis has risen over the last years. Using a mixed-method approach, we examine researchers’ justif...
journals.sagepub.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:55 AM
🔍 Insightful piece debunking some of the "mythology” behind Big Data:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
#commsky #polsky #bigdata
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
#commsky #polsky #bigdata
Reposted by Katharina Esau
A great keynote by @karinwahlj.bsky.social on the rise of boutique news media to start off the #AANZCA25 conference on the Sunshine Coast. Liveblog is up:
Understanding Boutique News Media as a Novel Form of Journalism | Snurblog — Axel Bruns
For my last conference of the year, I’ve made the short trip up to the Sunshine Coast to attend t
snurb.info
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
A great keynote by @karinwahlj.bsky.social on the rise of boutique news media to start off the #AANZCA25 conference on the Sunshine Coast. Liveblog is up:
Reposted by Katharina Esau
ARC DECRA funding news is out - congrats especially to my fantastic @qutdmrc.bsky.social colleagues @kathaesa.bsky.social & @zahrastardust.bsky.social, and the brilliant @amymcquire.bsky.social @emvdn.bsky.social @hansasenbaum.bsky.social, all successful this round. 🎉
rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
Research Management System - Scheme Round Statistics for Approved Applications - Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026 round 1
RMS is the ARC's Research Management System, a web-based system used by eligible researchers to prepare and submit research proposals and assessments under the ARC National Competitive Grants Program ...
rms.arc.gov.au
November 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
ARC DECRA funding news is out - congrats especially to my fantastic @qutdmrc.bsky.social colleagues @kathaesa.bsky.social & @zahrastardust.bsky.social, and the brilliant @amymcquire.bsky.social @emvdn.bsky.social @hansasenbaum.bsky.social, all successful this round. 🎉
rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/D...
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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 3:40 AM
PhD researcher Kate FitzGerald has a new article out in The Conversation today looking at generative AI chatbots and conspiracy theories.
Reposted by Katharina Esau
ARC says they’ll announce DECRA and LIEF outcomes tomorrow (Tuesday 25th Nov).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
ARC says they’ll announce DECRA and LIEF outcomes tomorrow (Tuesday 25th Nov).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
In recent times these announcements have been around 11am Canberra time. With 2 schemes on the same day, I assume they’ll announce one of them later in the day (probably DECRA first).
Reposted by Katharina Esau
Here's a new resource from @qutdmrc.bsky.social to explain #problematicinformation (and its various forms), harms, tips to help navigate online info environments, and what can be done. Access and download here: research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/explain... #informationintegrity #misinformation #disinformation
November 17, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Here's a new resource from @qutdmrc.bsky.social to explain #problematicinformation (and its various forms), harms, tips to help navigate online info environments, and what can be done. Access and download here: research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/explain... #informationintegrity #misinformation #disinformation
Reposted by Katharina Esau
What do young Australians think about the 'Social Media Ban'?
Join young people and researchers online to find out what the upcoming changes mean for 12-15 year olds from around Australia.
🗓 Mon, 1 Dec 2025
⏰ 9:00am Perth ⏰ 11:00am Bris ⏰ 12:00pm Syd/Melb
👉 www.eventbrite.com.au/e/webinar-am...
Join young people and researchers online to find out what the upcoming changes mean for 12-15 year olds from around Australia.
🗓 Mon, 1 Dec 2025
⏰ 9:00am Perth ⏰ 11:00am Bris ⏰ 12:00pm Syd/Melb
👉 www.eventbrite.com.au/e/webinar-am...
November 10, 2025 at 5:20 AM
What do young Australians think about the 'Social Media Ban'?
Join young people and researchers online to find out what the upcoming changes mean for 12-15 year olds from around Australia.
🗓 Mon, 1 Dec 2025
⏰ 9:00am Perth ⏰ 11:00am Bris ⏰ 12:00pm Syd/Melb
👉 www.eventbrite.com.au/e/webinar-am...
Join young people and researchers online to find out what the upcoming changes mean for 12-15 year olds from around Australia.
🗓 Mon, 1 Dec 2025
⏰ 9:00am Perth ⏰ 11:00am Bris ⏰ 12:00pm Syd/Melb
👉 www.eventbrite.com.au/e/webinar-am...
Reposted by Katharina Esau
Thrilled that my first (ever!) and first single-authored article is out in @ausjpolsci.bsky.social 🎉
PRR parties have built a shared transnational discourse on issues like immigration & culture wars. But do their digital publics also take part in this discursive transnationalisation?
A 🧵
PRR parties have built a shared transnational discourse on issues like immigration & culture wars. But do their digital publics also take part in this discursive transnationalisation?
A 🧵
Transnational publics of the populist radical right: patterns of topic convergence across Europe and the United States
In recent years, populist radical right parties (PRRPs) have constructed a shared transnational discourse around issues like immigration and culture wars. However, we do not know how their publics ...
www.tandfonline.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Thrilled that my first (ever!) and first single-authored article is out in @ausjpolsci.bsky.social 🎉
PRR parties have built a shared transnational discourse on issues like immigration & culture wars. But do their digital publics also take part in this discursive transnationalisation?
A 🧵
PRR parties have built a shared transnational discourse on issues like immigration & culture wars. But do their digital publics also take part in this discursive transnationalisation?
A 🧵
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
October 13, 2025 at 2:33 AM
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...
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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
October 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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:
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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
October 9, 2025 at 1:41 AM
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.
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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. 🎤 💭
📣 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
@lisamerten.bsky.social
September 17, 2025 at 11:28 PM
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. 🎤 💭
Reposted by Katharina Esau
📣 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
@lisamerten.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
📣 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
@lisamerten.bsky.social
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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
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
August 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
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
Read the full article (OA) here: doi.org/10.1080/1751...
#scicomm #envirocomm
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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.
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.
August 19, 2025 at 4:56 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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!
July 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
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!
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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
July 9, 2025 at 2:03 AM
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.
@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 🥳
July 8, 2025 at 3:42 AM
@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 🥳
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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.
July 8, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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.
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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 3:47 AM
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...
Reposted by Katharina Esau
🗞️ 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 🔽
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 🔽
May 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🗞️ 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 🔽
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 🔽
Reposted by Katharina Esau
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
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
May 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
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
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
✨ 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....
🧠 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
May 1, 2025 at 1:33 AM
✨ 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....
🧠 Read here (open access 🔓): journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
"If you care about democracy at all this election, then please consider wisely who you vote for, and perhaps ask their views on supporting press freedom — which is your right to know" @wakeinfright.bsky.social www.crikey.com.au/2025/04/29/p...
Amid Dutton's 'hate media' and Trump's despotism, press freedom is more vital than ever
Australia’s press is already in a perilous state. But things could easily become worse.
www.crikey.com.au
April 30, 2025 at 5:05 AM
"If you care about democracy at all this election, then please consider wisely who you vote for, and perhaps ask their views on supporting press freedom — which is your right to know" @wakeinfright.bsky.social www.crikey.com.au/2025/04/29/p...