Photo of Team Metag
© IfK | Julian Wortmann

Research team of "Forms and processes of public communication"

About the team

The research group "Forms and processes of public communication" is headed by Prof Dr Julia Metag. In their research and teaching, the team members analyse the forms, structures and processes of public communication under conditions of social change. They are particularly interested in the interactions between public communication and the social fields of science and politics. Accordingly, the team focuses on political communication and science communication, particularly considering the social changes triggered by digitalisation. Special attention is paid to the links between macro-level phenomena (e.g. fragmentation and polarisation of the public sphere) and micro-level processes (e.g. individual use of information).

(1) Science communication                                                                                                                                              
The team is concerned with the communication of and about science. It analyses how the genesis, production, dissemination, use and impact of science communication are changing and what the consequences are for the public. Specifically, in various research projects, the team members investigate how science (and related topics such as health) is reported in journalistic and non-journalistic media, how scientific topics are perceived by the population, how different audience segments differ in their scientific attitudes and their use of information, how researchers and science communicators communicate and reflect on communication, and what role digital media play in science communication.

(2) Political communication                                                                                                                                                  
In its research on political communication, the team also investigates the transformation of citizens' information behaviour in the digital public sphere, as well as public opinion-forming processes. The team focuses on the changes brought about by online media in the communication of political actors, journalistic work routines and the effects on citizens' political information behaviour and opinion formation. With regard to the debate on the fragmentation of the public sphere, the central questions are how to reach people with political communication who no longer use traditional sources of information or who avoid certain topics and/or channels altogether, and what consequences this has from a democratic-theoretical perspective.

  • Staff

    Klinger, Kira M.A. E-Mail
    Metag, Julia, Prof. Dr. E-Mail
    Nölleke-Przybylski, Pamela, Dr. E-Mail
    Singh, Franca, M.A. E-Mail
    Wintterlin, Florian, Dr. E-Mail
    Zils, Lena, M.A. E-Mail

  • Current projects

    Communication of private universities – analysis of the organisation, goals and visibility

    The project examines the communication of private universities. Through surveys, it will analyse how the communication departments of private universities are organised and how they are integrated into the organisational structure of the universities. In addition, the focus is on the strategic goals private universities pursue with their communication and the role university communication fulfils for the organisation from the perspective of the university management and communication departments. In a second step, content analysis will be used to examine the extent to which these goals are reflected in university communication and in media coverage of private universities. The results will be discussed with the relevant contact persons in both private and state universities in workshops, networking meetings and conferences. This will promote the exchange between state and non-state higher education institutions regarding the orientation of higher education communication and discuss the transferability of the results to state higher education institutions. Overall, the project generates scientifically robust knowledge about the field of action of higher education communication and its underlying logic for private higher education institutions.

    News reporting on digital media use for the self-management of chronic diseases

    • Project team: Prof. Julia Metag
    • Duration: 01.12.2023 to 30.11.2027
    • Assistance: Franca Singh, M. A.
    • Funding: DFG (Individual Project within the Research Unit DISELMA – Digital media in chronic disease self-management)

    As part of the societal context, the public discourse on digital self-management can influence individuals’ self-management of chronic diseases. Media are one of the most important sources for health-related information. To understand how digital media are used to cope with stressors, it is thus of importance to analyse the public discourse on these issues. A systematic study of the news reporting on digital media use in the context of chronic diseases does not exist. Therefore, this project will analyse the news reporting on digital media use for the self-management of chronic diseases, drawing on the framing approach and news value theory. In addition, it aims to understand the role that scientific evidence regarding the benefits and risks of using digital media for the self-management of chronic diseases plays in the coverage.

    Research Network Cultures of Compromise

    • Project team: Prof. Dr. Ute Schneider (University Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Willems (University Münster), Prof. Dr. Constantin Goschler (Ruhr University Bochum), Prof. Dr. Julia Metag and many more
    • Duration: 2021 – 2024
    • Funding: Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

    The interdisciplinary research network "Cultures of Compromise" investigates the socio-economic, political-legal and cultural conditions of compromise in different contexts, cultures and eras. Based on an analysis of Western contemporary societies, the preconditions for compromise are explored from both a historical-comparative and a cultural/civilizational-comparative perspective. In a first step, Israel and Japan will be analysed as comparative cultural cases. The interdisciplinary research network, which combines the subjects of history, political science, law, communication studies, and literary studies, among others, consists of more than 30 scholars from the universities of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), Münster (University of Münster), and Bochum (RUB). The network is headed by Prof. Dr. Ute Schneider (UDE, History), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Willems (University of Münster, Political Science) and Prof. Dr. Constantin Goschler (RUB, History). It is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW/NRW) with 2.1 million euros. The first funding phase (2021-2024) is to lead to a larger application project.

    Science Barometer Switzerland

    • Project team: Julia Metag, Mike S. Schäfer (University Zürich)
    • Duration: 2025-2031
    • Funding: Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, IKMZ – Institut für Kommunikationswissenschaft und Medienforschung der Universität Zürich

    The Science Barometer Switzerland surveys channels, forms, and frequency of Swiss citizens' contact with scientific topics, as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards science. Through a representative survey of the Swiss population, conducted in a three-year interval, the project tracks changes in science communication and its audience. It aims to reveal connections between science communication, its use, and audience reactions. The first three survey waves took place in 2016, 2019 and 2022, along with three accompanying workshops. In the next project phase (2025-2031), we will continue to conduct regular population surveys on science communication and attitudes towards science in Switzerland.

    From Conspiracy Theories to Misinformation - Distorted information from the user's perspective (ConSeg)

    • Project team: Florian Wintterlin, Julia Metag
    • Duration: 2023-2025
    • Funding: Equity resources

    The project examines who is confronted with distorted information, such as conspiracy theories and misinformation, and who believes in this information, how such belief can be explained, how it relates to media usage, and what consequences it has for information seeking. To answer these questions, a standardised survey of a representative sample in Germany is conducted. The analyses include a segment analysis of people who believe in various conspiracy theories and factors that explain the belief in distorted information.

    Researchers communicating climate and environmental science (RECES)

    • Project team: Pamela Nölleke-Przybylski, Julia Metag
    • Duration: 2024-2025
    • Funding: Equity resources

    The project analyses how researchers position themselves in the field of environmental and climate communication. It focuses on scientists from different disciplines who are engaged in researching environmental and climate issues. Like researchers in general, they are increasingly called upon to participate in public discourse and sometimes feel personally motivated to communicate their findings. Given the complexity, interconnectivity, and societal relevance of these research topics, this is a personally challenging endeavour. Public discourse on environmental and climate research generally raises ethical, moral and political questions. In semi-structured interviews with environmental and climate researchers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the project, therefore, records how they understand their own role in the field of environmental and climate communication, how they deal with the pluralism of roles, which personal and disciplinary parameters characterise their view of external communication, and how they define and shape their role for and relationship to the political field.

  • Completed Projects

    Health Communciation with regards to Male Infertility: Pilot study

    • Project team: Prof. Dr. Julia Metag, Lena Zils M.A., Meret Laser B.Sc.
    • Duration: 01.10.2022 – 28.02.2023
    • Funding: Clinical Research Unit „Male Germ Cells: From Genes to Function”

    As part of the initiative Reproduction.MS, scientists of the University, the University Medical Centre, and the Max Planck Institute of Münster, along with the RWTH Aachen University examine male infertility thoroughly from a reproductive medical point of view. Our research team, " Forms and Processes of Public Communication, " complements the initiative by adding a communication science perspective and aiming to analyse the health communication with regards to male infertility in order to improve patient care and the communication process. Through in-depth interviews, tracking the patient’s information-seeking behaviour, and conducting a content analysis of online sources concerning male infertility, we aim to understand how affected couples seek and receive information on the internet and what challenges they face by doing so. With our pilot study, we hope to lay the groundwork for the requested collaborative research centre "Principles of Reproduction — Unravelling the Molecular Mechanisms of Male Infertility."

    "Inquired with Sophie & Co"

    As a further stage of the predecessor project "Ask Sophie! – Development of a Cartoon Character to Answer Scientific Questions," ("Frag Sophie! – Entwicklung einer Comicfigur zur Beantwortung wissenschaftlicher Fragen"), the collaborative project "Inquired with Sophie & Co" (“Nachgefragt bei Sophie & Co”) aims to strengthen the exchange between science and the public. So far, the avatar "Sophie" has primarily enabled citizens to submit questions to scientists in online environments, which were answered in collaboration with scientists, the Innovation Office of the University of Münster and artists. The follow-up project focuses on more direct communication with the public. For example, children and adults can pose questions to "Sophie" in context of creative workshops, mobile exhibitions, or school events, thus stimulating an exchange between science and the public. There will be a lot to be "inquired" again in the sub-project headed by Prof. Julia Metag and Kira Klinger. Based on anonymised data collected from participants, the project will not only investigate whether and how "Inquired with Sophie & Co" is received by different target groups, but also how participants differ regarding their information behaviour and their attitudes toward science and research.

    Global Warming’s Five Germanys

    • Duration: Since January 2021

    • Project team: Prof. Dr. Julia Metag (University of Münster), Kira Klinger (University of Münster), Mike Schäfer (University Zürich)

    • Funding: Equity resources

    Climate change is one of the major challenges facing humanity and a topic of controversial public debate, making research into attitudes toward climate change within specific segments of the population even more crucial. The research project aims to identify segments within the German population based on their attitudes towards climate change, as well as segment-specific patterns of media and information use, and to discuss findings in an international context.

    More of the Same or Manifold Perspectives? A Systematic Literature Review on Research on Politicians’ Social Media Use

    • Duration: 2020 – 2022

    • Project team: Prof. Dr. Julia Metag, Florian Wintterlin, Kira Klinger, Lukas Lindenschmidt

    • Funding: Equity resources

    Social media have become a central arena for political communication over the past two decades. Platforms such as Twitter or Facebook offer quick, targeted channels for disseminating political content, mobilising supporters, and interacting with potential voters. The aim of the project is to systematically review the current state of research on the use of social media by politicians in an international context.

    Analyzing the emergence and consequences of topic disenchantment: a longitudinal multi-method study

    • Project team: Julia Metag, Gwendolin Gurr
    • Duration: 2018-2021
    • Funding: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF)

    The project examines the causes, temporal development and consequences of issue fatigue. Issue fatigue occurs once a topic is portrayed continuously and intensively in the media. Even people who were initially interested in the topic can become weary of it over time. One possible consequence of issue fatigue is the avoidance of the media coverage on that specific issue. This project examines issue fatigue among Swiss citizens, based on two issues, one of which is expected to be Brexit in 2019. Three objectives are pursued: First, to investigate the extent to which issue fatigue can be detected among the Swiss population concerning the issues under investigation. Second, to analyse which factors lead to someone becoming "issue blind." Third, to examine what effects issue fatigue has on citizens' further information behaviour. Finally, we conduct whether there are differences between the various issues.

  • Final theses at the department

    Can you imagine writing your thesis at our department? Then the following document will help you find a topic.

    Suggested topics for Bachelor's and Master's theses at the Department of Forms and Processes of Public Communication.

  • Publications

     

    Publications

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    Scientific Talks

    • Mede, Niels G.; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia, Howell, Emily; Brossard, Dominique; Beets, Becca, & Calice, M. : “Assessing science literacy across digital societies: A new survey measure for civic, media, and cognitive science literacy.” CST China symposium “Communicating Science across Cultures: Approaches, Perspectives and Challenges”, Suzhou, .
    • Weitz, Paula; Rosauer, Marie; Metag, Julia : “From the influence of the social environment to perceived disinformation – An analysis of factors influencing intentional and unintentional news avoidance among young adults”. European Communication Conference (ECC) der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), Ljubljana, .
    • Metag, Julia; Scholthaus, Marina; Klinger, Kira : “Global Warming's Five Germanys: Unveiling media habits and information seeking in daily life”. 10. European Communication Conference (ECC) der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), Ljubljana, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Trends in der Wissenschaftskommunikation(sforschung)“. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Religionspädagogik (GwR), Würzburg, .
    • Zils, Lena; Wintterlin, Florian; Metag, Julia; Mede, Niels G.; Schäfer, Mike S. : “Informed critics? Exploring media- and science-related predictors of alternative media use for information about science”. 6th Multidisciplinary International Symposium on Disinformation in Open Online Media (MISDOOM 2024), Münster, .
    • Zils, Lena; Feidicker, Theresa; Metag, Julia : “Peak of Rotten Compromise: The Role of Compromise in Media Coverage”. 74th Annual International Communication Association Conference (ICA), Gold Coast, .
    • Mede, Niels G.; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia, Howell, Emily; Brossard, Dominique; Beets, Becca : “Measuring science literacy in a digital world: Development and validation of a multi-dimensional survey scale”. Preconference “Science Communication as a Human Right” at the 74th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Brisbane, .
    • Rossmann, C.; Karnowski, V.; Metag, J.; Raupp, J.; Reifegerste, D.; Riesmeyer, C.; Sawalha, N.; Esser, A.-L.; Kammerer, R.; Lux, A.; Neuberger, M.; Rödel, N.; Singh, F. : „Digitale Medien im Selbstmanagement chronischer Erkrankungen (DISELMA): Visionen für ein besseres Leben?“ 69. DGPuK-Jahrestagung, Erfurt, .
    • Wintterlin, Florian; Klinger, Kira; Metag, Julia : „ Just more of the same? Ein Systematic Review der Forschung zur Nutzung von sozialen Medien durch Politiker*innen“. Gemeinsame Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik‐ und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK) und der Fachgruppe „Politische Kommunikation“ der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations‐ und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM), Bern, .
    • Zils, Lena; Feidicker, Theresa; Metag, Julia : „‚Gipfel der faulen Kompromisse‘: Die Rolle des Kompromisses als Konfliktregulierungsstrategie in der Medienberichterstattung“. KI | Konflikte | Konventionen – Gemeinsame Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), des Arbeitskreises „Politik und Kommunikation“ der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft (DVPW) und der Fachgruppe „Politische Kommunikation“ der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations‐ und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM), Düsseldorf, .
    • Metag, Julia; Gurr, Gwendolin : “Too much information? A longitudinal analysis of information overload and avoidance of referendum information prior to voting day”. 9th European Communication Conference (ECC) der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), Aarhus, .
    • Niels, Mede; Mike, Schäfer; Julia, Metag; Adrian, Rauchfleisch : “Populist demands toward science and their implications for science communication: Analyzing science-related populism across countries and contexts”. 9th European Communication Conference (ECC) der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), virtual, .
    • Niels, Mede; Mike, Schäfer; Julia, Metag; Adrian, Rauchfleisch : “Science-related populism and its implications for public opinion and communication about science”. Scientific Expertise, Communication and Trust (SECAT) conference, virtual, .
    • Hase, Valerie; Schäfer, Mike; Metag, Julia; Bischofberger, Mirko; Henry, Luc : “Engaging the Public or Asking Your Friends? Analyzing Science-Related Crowdfunding Using Behavioral, Survey, and Content Analysis Data”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Mede, Niels; Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike : “Social Media Use and Engagement, Knowledge Overestimation, and Populism Fuel Each Other During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Correlational and Experimental Evidence From Germany and Taiwan”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : “What Leads to Audience Issue Fatigue? A Linkage Analysis Study on the Effects of News Coverage on Fatigue From Ongoing News Issues”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Takahashi, Bruno; Thaker, Jagadish; Comfort, Suzannah; Metag, Julia : “BLUE SKY WORKSHOP: Broadening Participation in Environmental Communication Research”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Mede, Niels; Schäfer, Mike; Metag, Julia : “Cognitio Populi – Vox Populi: The Implications of Science-Related Populism for Communication Behavior”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Mahl, Daniela; Schäfer, Mike; Füchslin, Tobias; Metag, Julia; Zeng, Jing : “Typologizing the Swiss Populations’ COVID-19-Related Conspiracy Beliefs and Their Corresponding Information Behavior and Media Use”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Wintterlin, Florian; Gurr, Gwndolin; Metag, Julia : “The Perception of Issue-Specific Coverage and Trust in News Media. Examining the Influence of Hostile Media Perceptions and Credibility”. 72nd Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Paris, .
    • Klinger, Kira; Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike : “Global Warming’s Five Germanys Reloaded: A Segmentation of the German Population in Context of International Research”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Parlais des Congres, Paris, .
    • Wintterlin, Florian; Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : “The Perception of Issue-Specific Coverage and Trust in News Media: Examining the Influence of Hostile Media Perceptions and Credibility”. 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, .
    • Wintterlin, Florian; Hendriks, Friederike; Mede, Niels; Bromme, Rainer; Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S. : “Antecedents of trust in scientists: The role of attitudes to and experiences with science”. ICA-Preconference "The science of science communication: Mapping the field", Paris, .
    • Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : “What Leads to Audience Issue Fatigue? A Linkage Analysis Study on the Effects of News Coverage on Fatigue from Ongoing News Issues”. SGKM Jahrestagung 2022, Zürich, .
    • Klinger, Kira; Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S. : „Global Warming's Five Germanys Reloaded: Segmenting the German Population in the Context of International Research. “. Vortrag auf der 6. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Wissenschaftskommunikation: „Klima(wandel) Kommunikation“ , Ilmenau, .
    • Niels, Mede; Adrian, Rauchfleisch; Julia, Metag; Mike, Schäfer : “How knowledge overestimation, science-related populism, and digital media use fuel each other during the COVID-19 pandemic: Representative survey evidence from Germany and Taiwan”. 74th Annual Conference der World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR), virtual, .
    • Metag, Julia; Gurr, Gwendolin : “Fatigued by ongoing news issues? How repeated exposure to the same political issue affects the audience”. 71. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Digital, .
    • Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : “Examining avoidance of ongoing political issues in the news: a longitudinal study of the impact of audience issue fatigue.” 71. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Digital, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Trends und Problemfelder der Wissenschaftskommunikation“. WWU Weiterbildung Wissenschaftsmarketing, digital, .
    • Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : “Explications of avoiding ongoing issues in the news: On the role of the audience’ issue fatigue”. 66. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Online, .
    • Mede, Niels G.; Schäfer, Mike S.; Füchslin, Tobias; Metag, Julia : “Science-related populism in Switzerland and its implications for science-related media use: Results from a nationally representative survey”. 66. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), Online, .
    • Mede, Niels; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia; Klinger, Kira : “Science related populism, its prevalence, antecedents, and outcomes: Evidence from the Science Barometer Switzerland”. PERITIA: Trust in expertise in a changing media landscape, Virtual Scientific Conference, .
    • Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : „Too much information? A longitudinal analysis of information overload and avoidance of referendum information prior to voting day.“ Gemeinsame Jahrestagung 2021 der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ der DGPuK, des Arbeitskreises „Politik und Kommunikation“ der DVPW und der Fachgruppe „Politische Kommunikation“ der SGKM, Digital, .
    • Klinger, Kira; Metag, Julia; Mede, Niels; Schäfer, Mike S. : „Is the population becoming more critical of science? Segmentation analyses of the Swiss population based on panel data“. 5. Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Wissenschaftskommunikation der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Digital, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Wissenschaftskommunikation im Wandel“. Projektverbund Münsterland Leben, digital, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Impulse on the topic "Science for society - the role of knowledge communication".“ Großer Konvent der Schader-Stiftung, Digital, .
    • Hase, Valerie; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia; Henry, Luc; Bischofberger, Mirco : „Who funds scientific projects online - and why? A multivariate analysis of attitudes and donor behavior in the context of scientific crowdfunding by matching survey and donation data.“ Annual Conference of Science Communication Division of the German Communication Association (DGPuK), Münster, Germany., .
    • Wintterlin, Florian; Gurr, Gwendolin; Metag, Julia : „Current news coverage topics and trust in media. On the influence of hostile media perceptions and credibility assessments.“ Gemeinsame Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), des Arbeitskreises „Politik und Kommunikation“ der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft (DVPW) und der Fachgruppe „Politische Kommunikation“ der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM) "Desinformation, Populismus, “Lügenpresse” - Vertrauen und Glaubwürdigkeit in der politischen Kommunikation", Mainz, .
    • Metag, Julia; Gurr, Gwendolin : „"The eternally spinning record" - Permanent topics of reporting as a challenge for political journalism?“ Vortrag auf der gemeinsamen Jahrestagung 2020 der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK), des Arbeitskreises „Politik und Kommunikation“ der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft (DVPW) und der Fachgruppe „Politische Kommunikation“ der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM), Mainz, Deutschland, .
    • Füchslin, Tobias; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia : “Who Wants To Be a Citizen Scientist? Identifying the Overall Potential of Citizen Science and Target Segments in Switzerland.” 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington,DC,USA, .
    • Metag, Julia : “Seeking Information about Science: Developing and Testing a Model to Explain General Science Information Seeking”. 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington,DC,USA., .
    • Metag, Julia : “What Drives Science Media Use? Predictors of Online and Offline Media Use for Information About Science and Research”. 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington DC, .
    • Füchslin, Tobias; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia. : “Who Wants To Be a Citizen Scientist? Identifying the Overall Democratic Potential of Citizen Science and Target Segments in Switzerland and Germany.” 72nd Annual World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) Conference, Toronto, Canada, .
    • Arlt, Dorothee; Dalmus, Caroline; Metag, Julia : “Direct and Indirect Effects of Involvement on Hostile Media Perceptions in the Context of the Refugee Crisis in Germany and Switzerland.” Vortrag auf der 68. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Prag, Tschechien, .
    • Metag, Julia; Raemy, Patric; Marcinkowski, Frank : „Politics in the selfie era: the effect of selfies on the attribution of personal characteristics of politicians.“ Vortrag auf der 63. Jahrestagung der DGPuK, Mannheim, Deutschland., .
    • Dalmus, Caroline; Arlt, Dorothee; Metag, Julia : “Hostile Media Perceptions in the Context of the Refugees Crisis: Direct and Indirect Effects of Involvement on Hostile Media Perceptions in Germany and Switzerland”. Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM), Lugano, Schweiz., .
    • Metag, Julia : „Science communication in transition.“ Öffentliche Vernunft? Die Wissenschaft in der Demokratie, Essen, Deutschland., .
    • Metag, Julia; Arlt, Dorothee : “The Role of Online Communication and Mass Media in the Refugee Crisis – Insights from Two Countries”. Vortrag auf der ECREA Political Communication Conference 2017 “Political Communication in Times of Crisis: New Challenges, Trends & Possibilities”, Zürich, Schweiz., .
    • Metag, Julia : „Effects of science communication and what we can learn from it.“ Wissenschaft braucht Gesellschaft – Wie geht es weiter nach dem March for Science?, Hannover, Deutschland, .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Arto, Xenia; Metag, Julia; Post, Senja; Schäfer, Mike S. : “How journalists verify online sources during terrorist crises. Analyzing Twitter communication during the Brussels attacks”. AoIR 2017, Tartu, Estland., .
    • Metag, Julia : „Agenda-building through politicians' tweets? The use of political tweets by Swiss journalists.“ Politische Kommunikation unter den Bedingungen von Mobilität, Transnationalisierung, Fragmentierung, Zürich, Schweiz., .
    • Metag, Julia : „Social media in crisis communication during major events (ABC events)“. Sommerklausur der Eidgenössischen Kommission für ABC-Schutz, Konolfingen, Schweiz., .
    • Füchslin, Tobias; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia; Kristiansen, Silje; Rauchfleisch, Adrian : “Audiences of Science Communication in Switzerland - An Audience Segmentation”. 67. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, USA., .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Arto, Xenia; Metag, Julia; Post, Senja; Schäfer, Mike S. : „How journalists verify online sources during terrorist crisis. Analyzing Twitter communication during the Brussels attacks“. 67. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, USA., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S.. : “Science Communication in an Online Media Environment – Current Changes and Perspectives for Future Research.” Political Communication in the Online World“ zur 67. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), San Diego, USA, .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S. : „Why do citizens search for information about science? Development of an explanatory model and empirical testing.“ Jahrestagung der Fachgruppe Wissenschaftskommunikation der DGPuK, Landau, Deutschland, .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Arto, Xenia; Metag, Julia; Post, Senia; Schäfer, Mike S. : „Networked journalism: source search and verification on Twitter during the Brussels attacks.“ Jahrestagung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Medienwissenschaft, Chur, Schweiz., .
    • Schäfer, Mike S.; Füchslin, Tobias; Metag, Julia; Kristiansen, Silje; Rauchfleisch, Adrian : „The four audiences of science communication. An analysis of the segmentation of the Swiss population“. Jahrestagung der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Medienwissenschaft (SGKM, Chur, Schweiz., .
    • Füchslin, Tobias; Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia; Kristiansen, Silje; Rauchfleisch, Adrian. : „The four audiences of science communication. An analysis of the segmentation of the Swiss population“. 62. Jahrestagung der DGPuK, , Düsseldorf, Deutschland, .
    • Metag, Julia. : “Swiss citizens’ attitudes toward refugees and their information use.” Constructing Swiss Identity and Country Image in Times of Migration: Europe between Integration and Exclusion, Fribourg, Schweiz., .
    • Metag, Julia : “Response to the Lecture by Massimiano Bucchi ‘Visual Science Literacy – Images And Public Understanding Of Science In The Digital Age’.” CHESS – Kompetenzzentrum für Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsforschung der Universität Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz., .
    • Dalmus, Caroline; Metag, Julia; Arlt, Dorothee : „What motivates citizens to comment online on the topic of refugees? An analysis of factors influencing the writing of online comments on the topic of refugees. Presentation at the Annual Conference "Disliking, Discussing, Demonstrating - Political Participation in (Media) Change".“ "Politik und Kommunikation" der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politikwissenschaft (DVPW), der Fachgruppe "Kommunikation und Politik" der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft (DGPuK) , Jena, Deutschland., .
    • Metag, Julia; Arlt, Dorothee : „The construct topic disenchantment: theoretical conceptualization and scale development.“ Jahrestagung 2017 der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Erfurt, Deutschland, .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Metag, Julia; Bütikofer, M; Rupp, N : “Me-Too and (Social) Media Stars: Swiss Politicians on Twitter.” 6th European Communication Conference der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), Prag, Tschechien, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Mediale Visualisierungen des Klimawandels und deren Folgen“. Interdisziplinäre Woche der Theologischen Fakultät, Universität Fribourg, Fribourg, .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S. : „The Swiss Science Barometer - First results and perspectives.“ ScienceComm’16, Grandson, Schweiz., .
    • Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia : “Selling Science 2.0: What Scientific Projects Receive Crowdfunding Online?” ICA, Fukuoka, Japan, .
    • Metag, Julia; Rauchfleisch, Adrian : “Agenda-building and journalists’ use of political tweets: From information subsidies to perceived influences.” ICA, Fukuoka, Japan, .
    • Kovic, Marko; Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Metag, Julia; Szenogrady, Julian; Caspar, Cathrin : “The impact of social media activity and mass media presence on electoral success: Evidence from the 2015 Swiss general election”. Vortrag auf der WAPOR 69th Annual Conference, Austin, Texas, USA., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S.. : „Between deniers and specialists. An analysis of the online communication of universities.“ Vortrag auf der 61. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaft, , Leipzig, Deutschland., .
    • Schäfer, Mike S.; Metag, Julia : „Selling Science 2.0. Which science projects are successful online on crowdfunding platforms?“ Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung der Adhoc-Gruppe Wissenschaftskommunikation der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft, Dresden, Deutschland., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S. : „Success factors of scientific crowdfunding projects. An experiment on the effect of dialogue intensity and previous donation success.“ Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung 2016 der Fachgruppe Rezeptions- und Wirkungsforschung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Publizistik und Kommunikationswissenschaft, , Amsterdam, Niederland., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S.; Füchslin, Tobias : „Global Warming's Five Germanys - A typology of German recipients in terms of their attitudes and information use on climate change.“ Vortrag auf der 10. Deutsche Klimatagung, , Hamburg, Deutschland., .
    • Metag, Julia : „Issue fatigue and avoidance and their implications for political communication.“ Vortrag auf der ECREA Political Communication Conference 2015 “Changing political communication, changing Europe?”, Odense, Dänemark., .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Metag, Julia : “Swiss politicians on Twitter: Switzerland as a most different system”. Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), San Juan, Puerto Rico., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S.; Barsuhn, Tjado; Füchslin, Tobias; Kleinen-von Königslöw, Katharina : “Perceptions of climate changes imagery. Evoking salience and self-efficacy through visualization of climate change.” Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), San Juan, Puerto Rico., .
    • Metag, Julia; Rauchfleisch, Adrian : „Agenda-Building durch Tweets von Politikern? Die Nutzung politischer Tweets durch Schweizer Journalisten“. Gastvortrag im Rahmen der Vorlesung „Politische Kommunikation in komplexen Umwelten“, Zürich, .
    • Metag, Julia; Rauchfleisch, Adrian : „The agenda-building function of political tweets. An analysis of the ese of political tweets by Swiss journalists.“ "Politische Online-Kommunikation. Voraussetzungen, Facetten und Folgen des strukturellen Wandels politischer Kommunikation“ des Arbeitskreises „Politik und Kommunikation“ der DVPW und der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ der DGPuK, Düsseldorf, Deutschland., .
    • Metag, Julia; Rauchfleisch, Adrian : „Why do Swiss journalists use Twitter? An analysis of the functions of Twitter and the role of professional variables for journalistic Twitter use.“ . Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung „Re-Inventing Journalism“ der Fachgruppe „Journalismusforschung“ der DGPuK und der Journalism Studies Section der ECREA, Winterthur, Schweiz., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S.; Barsuhn, Tjado; Füchslin, Tobias; Kleinen-von Königslöw, Katharina : „Effects of climate change visualizations - An analysis using Q methodology.“ „Wissenschaftskommunikation zwischen Risiko und (Un)Sicherheit“ der Ad-Hoc-Gruppe „Wissenschaftskommunikation“ der DGPuK, Jena, Deutschland, .
    • Füchslin, Tobias; Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike S. : „Global Warming's Five Germanys - A typology of German recipients in terms of their attitudes, behaviors and communication activities on climate change.“ „Wissenschaftskommunikation zwischen Risiko und (Un)Sicherheit“ der Ad-Hoc-Gruppe „Wissenschaftskommunikation“ der DGPuK,, Jena, Deutschland, .
    • Metag, Julia; Marcinkowski, Frank : “Predictions of electoral outcomes based on trait inferences from portrait photographs”. 5th European Communication Conference der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), , Lissabon, Portugal., .
    • Metag, Julia; Schäfer, Mike, S. : „Polar Bears and Power Plants: Visualizing climate change and its effects.“ Science Comm‘ 14, Beromünster, Schweiz., .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Metag, Julia : “The special case of Switzerland: Swiss politicians on Twitter.” 67. Jahrestagung der World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR), Nizza, Frankreich, .
    • Metag, Julia : “National Support, Local Opposition? Effects of Communication on Opinion about Local and National Energy Issues.” Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA),, Seattle,USA, .
    • Metag, Julia; Marcinkowski, Frank : “The Effect of Politicians’ Facial Appearance on Voting Behavior.” Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Seattle, USA., .
    • Rauchfleisch, Adrian; Metag, Julia : „Swiss politicians on Twitter: New opportunities for journalism“. Jahrestagung der SGKM, Zürich, Schweiz, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Conversations about the energy transition - On the relevance of interpersonal communication for the acceptance of energy policy measures at the local and national level.“ Wissenschaftskommunikation im Wandel“ der Ad-Hoc-Gruppe „Wissenschaftskommunikation“ der DGPuK, Zürich, Schweiz., .
    • Flemming, Felix; Marcinkowski, Frank; Metag, Julia : “The Paradox of Online Campaign Effects on Election Outcomes – Are Spin-Offs on Traditional News Media the Answer to this Problem?” ECREA Conference “New Trends in Political Communication, Milano, Italien, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Political communication and energy transition in the local - A case study.“ Vortrag auf der Jahrestagung 2013 „‘Vision Stadt‘: Ort demokratischer und sozialer Innovation“ des Arbeitskreises Lokale Politikforschung der DVPW, Münster Deutschland, .
    • Metag, Julia : “Political Communication and Direct Democracy at Local and National Level. Effects of Communication on Opinion Formation about Local and National Issues”. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), London, England., .
    • Metag, Julia : „Changing local communication: Current structures of local communication processes and their impact on citizens' local political competence.“ 58. Jahrestagung der DGPuK, Mainz, Deutschland, .
    • Metag, Julia : „More competent locally? Media and interpersonal influences on political competence in local and federal political issues compared.“ „Politische Kommunikation in lokalen und regionalen Kontexten“ des Arbeitskreises „Politik und Kommunikation“ der DVPW und der Fachgruppe „Kommunikation und Politik“ , Österreich, .
    • Marcinkowski, Frank; Metag, Julia; Wattenberg, Carolin. : “Why Do Candidates Use Online Media in Constituency Campaigning? An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.” Chasing the Digital Wave: International Lessons for the UK 2015 Election Campaign, London, England, .
    • Metag, Julia : “The Reception of Local and National Political Issues. Differential Effects on Political Participation.” 4th European Communication Conference der European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA), Istanbul,Türkei, .
    • Marcinkowski, Frank; Metag, Julia : “Explaining Online Campaigns: The Interplay of Strategic, Structural, and Individual Predictors in National, State, and Local Elections”. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Phoenix, .
    • Metag, Julia : “Communication and Opinion Formation on Local and National Political Issues: Issue Effects and Implications for Direct Democratic Voting”. Political Communication Graduate Preconference im Rahmen der Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Phoenix, .
    • Metag, Julia; Donk, André : „Zum Verhältnis fragmentierter Öffentlichkeit und fragmentierter Städte“. 57. Jahrestagung der DGPuK, Berlin, .
    • Marcinkowski, Frank; Metag, Julia : “Why Do Candidates Use Online Media in Constituency Campaigning? An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior”. ECPR Joint Sessions, Antwerpen, .
    • Metag, Julia; Kohring, Matthias; Marcinkowski, Frank : “Technophobic of Emerging Technologies? A Comparative Analysis of the Framing of Nanotechnology in Austria, Switzerland and Germany”. Jahrestagung der International Communication Association (ICA), Boston, .
    • Marcinkowski, Frank; Metag, Julia : “Mediatized Candidates: How Do They Campaign and Perform?” ECPR Joint Sessions, St. Gallen, .
    • Hauser, Christiane, Metag, Julia, Brenner, S., Fiedeler, U., Hocke, P., Kaiser, M., Kohring, Matthias; Marcinkowski, Frank : “Media Coverage of Nanotechnology in Austria, Switzerland and Germany”. Second Annual Conference of the Society for the Study of Nanoscience and Emerging Technologies, Darmstadt, .
    • Donk, André; Metag, Julia; Kohring, Matthias; Marcinkowski, Frank : “Framing Emerging Technologies. Risk Perceptions of Nanotechnology in the German Press”. Konferenz der International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Braga, .
    • Metag, Julia : “Effects of Discussion Networks and Mass Media during Direct Democratic Voting”. International Summer School "Political Communication and Electoral Behaviour", Mailand, .
    • Metag, Julia : „Skandalisierung des ostdeutschen Rechtsextremismus' in west- und ostdeutschen Tageszeitungen? Ein Intra-Extra-Media-Vergleich“. Tagung "Skandal! Mechanismen öffentlicher Aufmerksamkeitserzeugung", Cottbus, .