Research Initiatives
From hiring clusters to areas of focus, our research initiatives are powerful tools to help us navigate the shifting terrain of media and communications technology.
Research Clusters
Syracuse University supports several interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary themes or “clusters” that serve to strengthen research activity, enhance faculty diversity and develop new opportunities for student research and learning.
Social Differences/Social Justice Cluster
The interdisciplinary Social Differences, Social Justice cluster places Syracuse University scholars at the center of national and global discussions of social differences. By attending to racial, ethnic, indigenous, LGBT and gender identities; understandings of culture; ability; and disability, the cluster is centered around the pursuit of just futures. In recent years, racial, sexual and economic inequalities have dominated the headlines.
Areas of Focus
Members of the Newhouse faculty pursue research and creative activity in a wide variety of areas. Their work reflects a broad sweep of interests, but a significant amount of that activity is focused in the following areas:
Journalism, News Literacy and the Role of News in Democratic Societies
A significant amount of work within the Newhouse School focuses on numerous topics within the area of journalism studies. Faculty members are studying the disposition and training of journalists, the construction of news, analysis of content and its impact on public opinion and perceived media bias, political participation, and social media engagement, among other areas.
Information Integrity and Trust
Faculty are investigating the use of information to influence public opinion, including information campaigns aimed at social change, media generated by the state, disinformation and deep fakes, and the effects of these on trust.
Media and Marginalized Communities
Study here includes how media impact communities across identities, including communities of color, gender identity, nationality and other areas of difference. Images of people of color in news, how media influence perceptions of self and others, representation in media organizations and in media-generated images are also areas of interest.
Social Media Listening and Insights
Research focuses on how people and organizations use social media, how such activities impact personal freedom, and the ability of corporations and individuals to communicate with their publics on social platforms.
The Cutting Edge
Faculty are involved in work that uses and examines advanced technology. Work in virtual and augmented reality content and the measurement of its effects are significant areas of focus, as is the measurement of audience reaction to content using fNIRS brain-scanning technology. The creation of and experimentation in content on mobile platforms and its efficacy is examined as well.
Journalism, News Literacy and the Role of News in Democratic Societies
A significant amount of work within the Newhouse School focuses on numerous topics within the area of journalism studies. Faculty members are studying the disposition and training of journalists, the construction of news, analysis of content and its impact on public opinion and perceived media bias, political participation, and social media engagement, among other areas.
Information Integrity and Trust
Faculty are investigating the use of information to influence public opinion, including information campaigns aimed at social change, media generated by the state, disinformation and deep fakes, and the effects of these on trust.
Media and Marginalized Communities
Study here includes how media impact communities across identities, including communities of color, gender identity, nationality and other areas of difference. Images of people of color in news, how media influence perceptions of self and others, representation in media organizations and in media-generated images are also areas of interest.
Social Media Listening and Insights
Research focuses on how people and organizations use social media, how such activities impact personal freedom, and the ability of corporations and individuals to communicate with their publics on social platforms.
The Cutting Edge
Faculty are involved in work that uses and examines advanced technology. Work in virtual and augmented reality content and the measurement of its effects are significant areas of focus, as is the measurement of audience reaction to content using fNIRS brain-scanning technology. The creation of and experimentation in content on mobile platforms and its efficacy is examined as well.