Research Unit Media Reception and Media Effects

Research Interests:
Media uses and effects • Digital communication • Research methods

Digital Information Environments in Transition

The research unit of media use and effects has been led by Prof. Dr. Anna Sophie Kümpel since October 2024.

Proficiency in quantitative, qualitative, and computational methods, coupled with a strong commitment to Open Science, serves as a guiding principle for the research unit. The study of media uses and effects in digital media environments is grounded not only in concepts of 'traditional' uses and effects research but also in findings and approaches from media psychology, political communication research, and digital communication.

Prof. Kümpel and her team focus on diverse questions of media uses and effects in both research and teaching, with a particular emphasis on developments resulting from the ongoing digitalization. Current projects primarily center on the perception, use, dissemination, and effects of (political) information in algorithmically curated online environments (especially social media). Other projects focus on issues such as incivility and hate speech, as well as the effects of interactive entertainment media.

These focal areas are also reflected in teaching: in the research unit’s courses, Bachelor’s and Master’s students explore various aspects of media uses and effects research in online environments and are equipped to address scientific questions with methodological rigor and precision.

Research Projects

More and more older people are using social media and messenger services for information—but what exactly does their use look like? The DFG project
led by Prof. Dr. Anna Sophie Kümpel examines their perceptions,
experiences, and practices in consuming information on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other platforms
through interviews, surveys, and data donations.

Further information about the project Online Information Use of Older Adults

Duration: 2023 – 2026

Leadership: Prof. Anna Sophie Kümpel

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

DigiDeMo investigates the success factors of political campaigns in hybrid media systems, focusing on messages, technical channels, media use and impact. The aim is to understand the political impact of digitalization on democracy.

Further information about the project Digital Democratic Mobilization in Hybrid Media Systems

Duration: 2019 – 2023

Funding: Bayerischen Forschungsinstituts für Digitale Transformation (bidt)

The interdisciplinary project KLIMA-MEMES investigates how humorous texts, images and videos shared online influence political decision-making in the context of public discourse on climate change.

More information about the project KLIMA MEMES

Duration: 2023 – 2026

Leadership: Jörg Haßler

Funding: Bayerisches Forschungsinstitut für digitale Transformation (bidt)

The DD4SC project focuses on how awareness of, and willingness to contribute to, data donation studies can be enhanced through digital nudges, with the aim of achieving sustainable behavioral changes in the areas of environment and health.

Further information about the project DataDonations4SustainableChange

Duration: 2023 – 2026

Leadership: Dr. Jörg Haßler

Funding: Bayerisches Forschungsinstitut für Digitale Transformation (bidt), Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften (BAW)