QUT Digital Media Research Centre
@qutdmrc.bsky.social
World-leading communication, media, and law research for a flourishing digital society. research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/
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.
We are very proud of the incredible people and culture that we have at the Digital Media Research Centre. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year, including a podcast episode from some of the people that made it happen.
open.spotify.com/epi...
We hope you enjoy listening!
open.spotify.com/epi...
We hope you enjoy listening!
The DMRC, 10 Years On (Or: How to Build a Research Centre)
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:33 AM
We are very proud of the incredible people and culture that we have at the Digital Media Research Centre. We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year, including a podcast episode from some of the people that made it happen.
open.spotify.com/epi...
We hope you enjoy listening!
open.spotify.com/epi...
We hope you enjoy listening!
Congratulations to DMRC investigator Ehsan Dehghan (@essideh.com) and colleagues across Australia for their 2026 Discovery Project! This project examines the public sphere responses and domestic divides caused by foreign conflicts, to find what fosters or hinders deliberation across difference.
November 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Congratulations to DMRC investigator Ehsan Dehghan (@essideh.com) and colleagues across Australia for their 2026 Discovery Project! This project examines the public sphere responses and domestic divides caused by foreign conflicts, to find what fosters or hinders deliberation across difference.
The full Summer School programme is ready to go! Please register before the 19th of December to join us for a packed week of learning and collaboration. ☀️📚 #dmrcss26
😲 Ooooh, the full programme for the @qutdmrc.bsky.social Summer School 2026 is out now, and it's full of sciencey goodness. If you were still on the fence about signing up, you have until 19 Dec. to do so. ⌛
The Summer School dates are 2-6 Feb. 2026. #dmrcss26
research.qut.edu.au/...
The Summer School dates are 2-6 Feb. 2026. #dmrcss26
research.qut.edu.au/...
November 17, 2025 at 4:48 AM
The full Summer School programme is ready to go! Please register before the 19th of December to join us for a packed week of learning and collaboration. ☀️📚 #dmrcss26
A recent publication from our DMRC researchers @kkasianenko.bsky.social and @guangnanrio.bsky.social! This interdisciplinary study uses conspiracies about global philanthropy as an example of "floating signifiers".
Check out the thread below for an explainer from Kateryna and follow the 🔗 to read!
Check out the thread below for an explainer from Kateryna and follow the 🔗 to read!
@guangnanrio.bsky.social, Uttama Barua, George Gyamfi, Shima Saniei and I have published an article piloted at SICSS-Sydney (organised by @olgarithmic.bsky.social @sssharc.bsky.social). In it, we show the breakdown of trust in global philanthropy. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
“My first thought was Africa”: Gates as a floating signifier in global COVID-19 philanthropy discussions on X
Philanthropists play an important role in tackling global crises. As observed in scholarly studies and acknowledged by philanthropists themselves, the…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:46 AM
A recent publication from our DMRC researchers @kkasianenko.bsky.social and @guangnanrio.bsky.social! This interdisciplinary study uses conspiracies about global philanthropy as an example of "floating signifiers".
Check out the thread below for an explainer from Kateryna and follow the 🔗 to read!
Check out the thread below for an explainer from Kateryna and follow the 🔗 to read!
A new edition of Digital Media Demystified by the DMRC is out! 🔗 Find our Explainers and associated resources in our dedicated Knowledge Hub: research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/digital...
November 17, 2025 at 3:30 AM
A new edition of Digital Media Demystified by the DMRC is out! 🔗 Find our Explainers and associated resources in our dedicated Knowledge Hub: research.qut.edu.au/dmrc/digital...
To round out the week, sharing another of Sebastian Svegaard's presentations from AoIR last month! This study was entitled "Cancelling Kelce: Ruptures and Fractures in Swiftie Fan & Anti-Fan Subreddits". Sebastian's co-authors were Samantha Vilkins and Kate FitzGerald.
Cancelling Kelce: Ruptures and Fractures in Swiftie Fan & Anti-fan Subreddits
An exploration of the dynamics causing ruptures in Taylor Swift-related subreddits over one year, using mixed methods. - Download as a PPTX, PDF or view online for free
www.slideshare.net
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 AM
To round out the week, sharing another of Sebastian Svegaard's presentations from AoIR last month! This study was entitled "Cancelling Kelce: Ruptures and Fractures in Swiftie Fan & Anti-Fan Subreddits". Sebastian's co-authors were Samantha Vilkins and Kate FitzGerald.
New book with work from Kate FitzGerald, Dan Whelan-Shamy and Tim Graham is now available for pre-order!
www.taylorfrancis.co...
The chapter is entitled "The Persistence of Informational Manipulation and the Appropriation of Emerging Events: Conspiratorial Publics".
www.taylorfrancis.co...
The chapter is entitled "The Persistence of Informational Manipulation and the Appropriation of Emerging Events: Conspiratorial Publics".
The Persistence of Informational Manipulation and the Appropriation of
This chapter introduces the concepts of conspiratorial publics and conspiratorial canon within the context of Strategic Digital Information Operations (SDIOs)
www.taylorfrancis.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
New book with work from Kate FitzGerald, Dan Whelan-Shamy and Tim Graham is now available for pre-order!
www.taylorfrancis.co...
The chapter is entitled "The Persistence of Informational Manipulation and the Appropriation of Emerging Events: Conspiratorial Publics".
www.taylorfrancis.co...
The chapter is entitled "The Persistence of Informational Manipulation and the Appropriation of Emerging Events: Conspiratorial Publics".
Professor Axel Bruns presented at the recent AoIR conference a large-scale project involving many of our DMRC researchers: "Researching Cross-Platform Campaigning in the 2025 Australian Federal Election".
Here are the slides:
Here are the slides:
Researching Cross-Platform Campaigning in the 2025 Australian Federal Election
Paper by Axel Bruns, Samantha Vilkins, Katherine M. FitzGerald, Tariq Choucair, Daniel Angus, Caroline Gardam, Kunal Chand, Laura Vodden, Klaus Groebner, Katharina Esau, Carly Lubicz-Zaorski, and Ehsan Dehghan, presented at the 2025 Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) conference, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 18 Oct. 2025. - Download as a PPTX, PDF or view online for free
www.slideshare.net
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Professor Axel Bruns presented at the recent AoIR conference a large-scale project involving many of our DMRC researchers: "Researching Cross-Platform Campaigning in the 2025 Australian Federal Election".
Here are the slides:
Here are the slides:
An AoIR conference presentation from Laura Vodden, Katharina Esau, Axel Bruns, and Tariq Choucair.
www.slideshare.net/s...
This study discusses the potential role of LLMs in frame analysis. Framing is the selective presentation of information and can provide insight on the motivations of creators
www.slideshare.net/s...
This study discusses the potential role of LLMs in frame analysis. Framing is the selective presentation of information and can provide insight on the motivations of creators
AoIR2025_LLM_assisted_frame_analysis.pptx
AoIR panel presentation 2025 - Download as a PPTX, PDF or view online for free
www.slideshare.net
November 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
An AoIR conference presentation from Laura Vodden, Katharina Esau, Axel Bruns, and Tariq Choucair.
www.slideshare.net/s...
This study discusses the potential role of LLMs in frame analysis. Framing is the selective presentation of information and can provide insight on the motivations of creators
www.slideshare.net/s...
This study discusses the potential role of LLMs in frame analysis. Framing is the selective presentation of information and can provide insight on the motivations of creators
Another AoIR presentation from last month in Brazil! Dr Sebastian Svegaard presented "Mapping Fandom Ruptures: A Case Study of Taylor Swift Fandom Practices on Reddit". Sebastian co-authored this work w/ Sam Vilkins, Axel Bruns, Vish Padinjaredath Suresh and Kate FitzGerald
Mapping Fandom Ruptures: A Case Study Of Taylor Swift Fandom Practices On Reddit
A study of the fracturing of Swift-related subreddits over 1 year, using the practice mapping method. - Download as a PPTX, PDF or view online for free
www.slideshare.net
November 9, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Another AoIR presentation from last month in Brazil! Dr Sebastian Svegaard presented "Mapping Fandom Ruptures: A Case Study of Taylor Swift Fandom Practices on Reddit". Sebastian co-authored this work w/ Sam Vilkins, Axel Bruns, Vish Padinjaredath Suresh and Kate FitzGerald
Congratulations to PhD researcher Carly Lubicz and a team of interdisciplinary researchers who recently published the article, "Steering Great Barrier Reef climate science narratives through the mediasphere in a time of misinformation" in the Nature journal.
Steering Great Barrier Reef climate science narratives through the mediasphere in a time of misinformation
npj Climate Action - Steering Great Barrier Reef climate science narratives through the mediasphere in a time of misinformation
rdcu.be
November 5, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Congratulations to PhD researcher Carly Lubicz and a team of interdisciplinary researchers who recently published the article, "Steering Great Barrier Reef climate science narratives through the mediasphere in a time of misinformation" in the Nature journal.
Many of our DMRC researchers have recently attended the Association of Internet Researchers conference in Rio de Janeiro and had the opportunity to share their work. We will be sharing slides for those who were not able to attend. Our first presentation is from PhD researcher, Carly Lubicz.
November 4, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Many of our DMRC researchers have recently attended the Association of Internet Researchers conference in Rio de Janeiro and had the opportunity to share their work. We will be sharing slides for those who were not able to attend. Our first presentation is from PhD researcher, Carly Lubicz.
Dr Sebastian Svegaard (@svegaard.bsky.social) has recently had a chapter published in The Routledge Handbook of Fan Video and Digital Authorship!
Sebastian's chapter uses interviews to investigate remix video creators' thoughts on copyright for fan videos.
Sebastian's chapter uses interviews to investigate remix video creators' thoughts on copyright for fan videos.
Fair Use and Bullsh*t | 30 | Vidders and Copyright | Sebastian F. K. S
This chapter addresses the complex question of copyright as it pertains to remix and, in particular, fan video. Copyright has, as an effect of being a legal
www.taylorfrancis.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Dr Sebastian Svegaard (@svegaard.bsky.social) has recently had a chapter published in The Routledge Handbook of Fan Video and Digital Authorship!
Sebastian's chapter uses interviews to investigate remix video creators' thoughts on copyright for fan videos.
Sebastian's chapter uses interviews to investigate remix video creators' thoughts on copyright for fan videos.
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 3:18 AM
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/...
Associate Professor Stephen Harrington @phzerosounds.bsky.social has recently published a piece in Crikey discussing the UK's Zack Polanski, and the potential message for the Australian Greens.
You can read Stephen's work here:
You can read Stephen's work here:
How to reclaim populism, from the left: A lesson for Australian Greens from Zack Polanski
Over in the UK, new political blood committed to 'eco-populism' is providing a masterclass in how to flip the narrative on the right-wing establishment.
www.crikey.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Associate Professor Stephen Harrington @phzerosounds.bsky.social has recently published a piece in Crikey discussing the UK's Zack Polanski, and the potential message for the Australian Greens.
You can read Stephen's work here:
You can read Stephen's work here:
The Digital Media Research Centre is looking forward to our 2026 Summer School! To get in the spirit, this week's podcast episode is a recording of a panel from this year, discussing the upcoming children's social media ban.
Episode 34: Responding to the children's social media ban controversy (DMRC Summer School Panel)
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:34 AM
The Digital Media Research Centre is looking forward to our 2026 Summer School! To get in the spirit, this week's podcast episode is a recording of a panel from this year, discussing the upcoming children's social media ban.
Many of our DMRC students and researchers are currently in Brazil attending the Association of Internet Researchers conference, @aoir.bsky.social! Professor Axel Bruns @snurb.info is providing conference updates on his blog, starting with the keynote from Marie Santini of NetLab. #AoIR2025
✊ What a stirring keynote on the agenda for Internet research under the current circumstances by Marie Santini of NetLab, to open #AoIR2025. 🇧🇷
My liveblog is here:
My liveblog is here:
Internet Research as a Form of Resistance | Snurblog — Axel Bruns
It’s that time of the year, and I’ve made my annual pilgrimage to
snurb.info
October 16, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Many of our DMRC students and researchers are currently in Brazil attending the Association of Internet Researchers conference, @aoir.bsky.social! Professor Axel Bruns @snurb.info is providing conference updates on his blog, starting with the keynote from Marie Santini of NetLab. #AoIR2025
! SAVE THE DATE !
The DMRC 2026 Summer School is back again on our Kelvin Grove Campus in Brisbane, Australia from 2 February to 6 February 2026, featuring interactive sessions showcasing digital humanities and social science research across key programs and projects within the DMRC.
The DMRC 2026 Summer School is back again on our Kelvin Grove Campus in Brisbane, Australia from 2 February to 6 February 2026, featuring interactive sessions showcasing digital humanities and social science research across key programs and projects within the DMRC.
October 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
! SAVE THE DATE !
The DMRC 2026 Summer School is back again on our Kelvin Grove Campus in Brisbane, Australia from 2 February to 6 February 2026, featuring interactive sessions showcasing digital humanities and social science research across key programs and projects within the DMRC.
The DMRC 2026 Summer School is back again on our Kelvin Grove Campus in Brisbane, Australia from 2 February to 6 February 2026, featuring interactive sessions showcasing digital humanities and social science research across key programs and projects within the DMRC.
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.
Congratulations to PhD candidates Carly Lubicz @carlylubicz.bsky.social, Caroline Gardam @cazuarina.bsky.social, and Associate Professor Michelle Riedlinger @riedlinm.bsky.social ! They spoke to the Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy this morning.
September 30, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Congratulations to PhD candidates Carly Lubicz @carlylubicz.bsky.social, Caroline Gardam @cazuarina.bsky.social, and Associate Professor Michelle Riedlinger @riedlinm.bsky.social ! They spoke to the Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy this morning.
This week's episode of Read Them Sideways is a discussion between host @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social
and @svegaard.bsky.social on the intersection between fan studies and politics - check it out at the link below!
and @svegaard.bsky.social on the intersection between fan studies and politics - check it out at the link below!
Episode 33: Fandom and Politics with Sebastian Svegaard
Read Them Sideways · Episode
open.spotify.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:31 AM
This week's episode of Read Them Sideways is a discussion between host @katemfitzgerald.bsky.social
and @svegaard.bsky.social on the intersection between fan studies and politics - check it out at the link below!
and @svegaard.bsky.social on the intersection between fan studies and politics - check it out at the link below!
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. 🎤 💭
Congratulations to PhD student Caroline Gardam (@cazuarina.bsky.social), Dr Michelle Riedlinger (@riedlinm.bsky.social), Dr Daniel Angus (@antmandan.bsky.social), and DMRC alum Jane Tan for their new paper on the multimodal narratives of climate denial.
Multimodal narratives of climate denial: A novel, visual-first methodology for analysing conspiracy theory discourse on Instagram
Problematic information about climate change in online spaces can impact public awareness about climate change’s causes, impacts, and mitigation strat…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Congratulations to PhD student Caroline Gardam (@cazuarina.bsky.social), Dr Michelle Riedlinger (@riedlinm.bsky.social), Dr Daniel Angus (@antmandan.bsky.social), and DMRC alum Jane Tan for their new paper on the multimodal narratives of climate denial.
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 3:42 AM
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!