Our Crowdfunding Groups
As our media landscape confronts escalating challenges – from misinformation to collapsing journalism funding models and from social media to AI – the Center for Media Engagement is focused on envisioning a more vibrant future. We are a first-of-its-kind center that works to understand and improve the information ecosystem for the benefit of democracy.
Housed in the Moody College of Communication, the center partners with newsrooms, social media platforms, and public and private organizations to develop research, tools, and strategies that improve media practices.
Our team is composed of dedicated faculty, staff, post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate researchers from The University of Texas and affiliates from universities across the country and around the world. The center’s interdisciplinary expertise works on research initiatives such as:
Trust in Media – Providing guidance on the reporting process from development to delivery, helping newsrooms connect with local communities, and providing insights into tools, practices, and strategies that benefit their communities and bottom lines.
Misinformation and Disinformation – Examining the use of social media and other digital tools to manipulate public opinion and spread misinformation and disinformation. Research has examined the manipulative political use of end-to-end encrypted chat applications, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, in the U.S. and abroad.
Bridging Divides – Developing a new approach to tackle the swiftly growing political and social divisions in our society. Ongoing research in the practice of connective democracy unites newsrooms, scholars, platforms, and public policy entities toward bridging gaps in our society.
