Friday, November 15 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Freedom Forum, Carroll Hall
Social media content creators are shaping the media landscape in unprecedented ways, often serving as influential figures in lifestyle, culture, and entertainment. However, as content creators increasingly engage in political discourse, the dynamics of their authority shift. In "Experience vs. Expertise: Authenticity, Authority, and Gender in Social Media Communication", Marie Heřmanová will delve into how content creators establish themselves as credible voices on polarized issues, leveraging both "expertise" and personal "experience."
Heřmanová will highlight the intricate balance content creators must maintain between portraying themselves as authentic individuals while also claiming authority. Drawing from ethnographic research in Central Europe, Heřmanová will share insights from two case studies: the spread of COVID-19 conspiracy theories within feminized spaces on Instagram, and the representation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine by young TikTok creators.
Through these examples, Marie will illustrate how gender shapes the communicative practices of content creators, affecting their engagement with geopolitical crises and broader political debates.
This event is open to the public and will be held in person at the Freedom Forum, with a livestream option for virtual attendees.
CITAP is thrilled to be hosting Marie Heřmanová as a Fulbright Scholar this semester as she researches gendered disinformation and disinformation about gender on social media. Dr. Heřmanová holds a PhD in social anthropology from Charles University. She finished her studies in 2018 with PhD thesis titled "Imagining the West - Marginality and Possible Lives at the Outskirts of a Mexican City". She conducted long-term ethnographic fieldwork in Chiapas, Mexico, from 2008 to 2015. She works as an associate researcher at the Gender and Sociology department at the Institute of Sociology, where she focuses on digital communication platforms, social media, internet culture, authenticity, and gender norms. From January to July 2021, Marie was a visiting scholar at the Centre for Research for Communication and Culture at Loughborough University, UK.