Matthew Barnidge

Read Matthew Barnidge’s hiring announcement.

What are you teaching this semester?

This semester, I’m teaching Problems and Ethics of Journalism in Society (JOU 4700) and Visual Journalism (JOU 3220C).

What is your area of expertise?

I study political news and tech platforms—how platforms shape news flows and their impacts on people and society.

What research are you working on?

I’m focused on two projects: (1) understanding online news deserts—that is, the decline of mainstream news exposure on social media platforms; and (2) the emergence of podcasts as a growth area for news and politics.

Significant other, children, pets?

My wife, Sandy, is a writer and former magazine editor who recently published her debut novel. We have two wonderful daughters: caring, artistic Ava (6 years old) and energetic, fun-loving Olivia (3 years old).

What excites you most about coming to Gainesville?

I’m excited to work with smart, talented colleagues and students in a vibrant intellectual culture.

What accomplishments, personal or professional, are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the time my first Ph.D. student landed a research position at a major international university. There’s nothing more satisfying than witnessing a student’s talent and hard work pay off.

Your hero or biggest inspiration (alive or historical)?

Paul Lazarsfeld. He escaped to the United States from Austria before World War II, where he helped mainstream quantitative research methods and found the field of political communication. I would not be doing what I do without Lazarsfeld—we stand on the shoulders of giants!

What three things don’t we know about you?

I once played drums on Sixth Street in Austin. We weren’t invited back. 

I was once elected class president … of the first grade.

I won a swim relay once when I was in high school. I was the slowest leg of the race.