Research
Explore the core research areas of the Political Communication Research Group at the University of Vienna, Austria. Our research investigates how political elites, media organizations, and citizens interact in society, with a focus on digital technologies, diversity of voices, science communication, and the quality of political journalism. Through qualitative, quantitative, and computational social science methods, our Vienna-based team develops evidence-based insights to understand and advance political communication theory and practice.
AI and Digital Technologies in Political Communication
This research area explores the role of AI and digital tools in shaping modern political discourse, with a current focus on automated content moderation, computational propaganda, and data-driven election campaigns. This research investigates both the benefits and ethical challenges of AI, including issues of digital humanism and the need for AI literacy, especially among young people navigating online political spaces. Key projects aim to promote responsible and transparent use of AI in fostering informed political engagement.
Researchers affiliated with this area:
Diversity of Voices in Political Communication
This research area explores how gender, intersectionality, and social identity shape political messaging and audience perceptions, aiming to uncover diverse perspectives within political discourses. It investigates differential media effects, particularly how factors like incivility impact engagement and opinion formation across varied demographic groups.
Researchers affiliated with this area:
The Politics of Science Communication
This research area delves into the complex role of scientific evidence within political debates, examining how scientific uncertainty and politicized science can influence public opinion and policy. We also address the spread of misinformation in science communication, particularly within digital platforms, and explore "third mission" activities where scientific institutions engage directly with the public to bridge knowledge gaps. Affiliated researchers aim to enhance transparency and trust in science by improving how scientific information is communicated and understood in political contexts.
Researchers affiliated with this area:
Quality of Political Communication and Political Journalism
This research area examines how factors such as misinformation and polarization affect public engagement with news and political discourse. This field also studies how incivility and emotive content influence the news, as well as perceptions of credibility and democratic participation. Researchers and projects in this area currently work to understand and address challenges to media integrity and public trust in political journalism, such as emotionality and news avoidance.
Researcher affiliated with this area:
Publications
2015
Nelson, T. E., Lecheler, S., Schuck, A. R., & De Vreese, C. H. (2015). Value poaching: Framing the same values for competing political ends. International Journal of Communication, 9(1), 2881-2902.
2014
Lecheler, S. (2014). Book Review: Agenda Setting, Policies, and Political Systems: A Comparative Approach, edited by Christoffer Green-Pedersen and Stefaan Walgrave. Blog LSE Review of Books. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/74162
Lecheler, S. (2014). Book review: Doing a systematic review: a student’s guide, edited by Angela Boland, M. Gemma Cherry & Rumona Dickson. Blog LSE Review of Books. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/57308
Lecheler, S. (2014). Book review: introduction to social research: quantitative and qualitative approaches, third edition, by Keith F Punch. Blog LSE Review of Books. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/57445
Lecheler, S. (2014). Book review: Memes in digital culture by Limor Shifman. Blog LSE Review of Books. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/56253
2013
Lecheler, S. (2013). A Shrinking Brussels Press Corps Could Put Investigative EU Journalism at Risk. Web publication http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/78219
Lecheler, S., Schuck, A. R. T., & De Vreese, C. H. (2013). Dealing with feelings: Positive and negative discrete emotions as mediators of news framing effects. Communications - The European Journal of Communication Research, 38(2), 189-209. https://doi.org/10.1515/commun-2013-0011
Lecheler, S. (2013). Reporting for Europe: How Brussels correspondents shape the EU communication deficit. Latvijas Intereses Eiropas Savienībā, 3, 31-37. https://hdl.handle.net/11245/1.405839
Lecheler, S., & de Vreese, C. H. (2013). What a Difference a Day Makes? The Effects of Repetitive and Competitive News Framing Over Time. Communication Research, 40(2), 147-175. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650212470688
2012
Baden, C., & Lecheler, S. (2012). Fleeting, Fading, or Far-Reaching? A Knowledge-Based Model of the Persistence of Framing Effects. Communication Theory, 22(4), 359-382. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2012.01413.x
Lecheler, S., & Konohos, A. (2012). Latvian journalism and the European Union: a Brussels and Riga perspective. Media Transformations, 8, 152-177. https://doi.org/10.7220/2029-865X.08.08
Lecheler, S., & De Vreese, C. H. (2012). News framing and public opinion: A mediation analysis of framing effects on political attitudes. Journalism & mass communication quarterly, 89(Issue 2), 185-204. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077699011430064
de Vreese, C. H., & Lecheler, S. (2012). News framing research: An overview and account of new developments. In H. A. Semetko, & M. Scammell (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Political Communication (pp. 292-306). Sage Publications Ltd.. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446201015.n24
2011
Lecheler, S., & de Vreese, C. H. (2011). Getting Real: The Duration of Framing Effects. Journal of Communication, 61(5), 959-983. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2011.01580.x
Lecheler, S., de Vreese, C. H., & Martins, A. I. (2011). Information Flow and Communication Deficit: Perceptions of Brussels-Based Correspondents and EU Officials. Journal of European Integration, 34(4), 305-322. https://doi.org/10.1080/07036337.2011.584345
Lecheler, S., & de Vreese, C. H. (2011). Wie "langlebig" sind Framing-Effekte? In M. Suckfüll, H. Schramm, & C. Wünsch (Eds.), Rezeption und Wirkung in zeitlicher Perspektive (1. Auflage ed., Vol. 22, pp. 185-198). Nomos Verlag. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783845231310_185
2010
Lecheler, S. (2010). Framing politics. Universiteit Amsterdam. https://hdl.handle.net/11245/1.331387
Lecheler, S., & de Vreese, C. H. (2010). Framing Serbia: The effects of news framing on public support for EU enlargement. European Political Science Review, 2(1), 73-93. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755773909990233
Lecheler, S. K., & Hinrichsen, M. C. (2010). Role conceptions of brussels correspondents from the new member states. Javnost - The public, 17(1), 73-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/13183222.2010.11009027