Jay Hmielowski

A new study has found that conservative media use is associated with greater perceived distance to COVID-19, while less partisan news use is associated with a smaller perceived distance. The findings by Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, UFCJC doctoral student…

University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) doctoral student Alexandrea Matthews is the recipient of one of two Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) 2023 Collaborative Scholar Awards for her research proposal “Polarization by Examining How Targeted Ideological Messaging through Use of Moral Cues May Stimulate Political…

It’s no secret that the United States is politically polarized, with large numbers of people distrusting news outlets and their journalists. Current efforts to increase trust by fact-checking and increased transparency are respectable but minimally effective. They largely offer tactic over strategy, disregarding a major player in perspective-building: where people…

Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, was quoted in “America’s Culture Wars Extend Into Medicine” published in The Economist on Jan. 8. The article focuses on the decline in confidence in the medical establishment since 2021. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has…

A new study has found that interpersonal communication can influence important science and environmentally related outcomes. The findings by Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, Moritz Cleve, Ph.D. 2022, and UFCJC doctoral students Eiiana DuBosar and Michael Munroe were featured in…

Past research has suggested that the way conservative media frames and communicates messages to its audiences is distinct from both liberal partisan outlets and mainstream, non-partisan media. However, with the recent surge of partisan media being used by the public, researchers at the University of Florida College of Journalism and…

A new study has found that ideological extremity and partisanship strength correlate with the use of easier-to-read language. The findings by Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, and UFCJC doctoral student Jessica Sparks are featured in “At the Extremes: Assessing Readability,…

A new study has found that cultivating trust in artificial intelligence (AI) requires an understanding of how the general public perceives and shares news about AI and not just the perspectives of experts and policymakers. The findings by Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations…

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) today announced promotions for five faculty members. Eric Esterline, Media Production, Management, and Technology lecturer in sports media and communication and director of the Sports Journalism and Communication Program, has been promoted to senior lecturer. Esterline originally joined the College…

University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications faculty and doctoral students will be presenting at the International Public Relations Research Conference in Orlando, Florida from March 3-5. Public Relations Associate Professor Rita Men and doctoral students Jie Jin, Renee Mitson, Yufan Sunny Qin, and Marc Vielledent will receive the…

Persuasive messaging isn’t what it used to be—at least when it comes to scientific facts. In our polarized political environment, scientific knowledge alone is not always enough to inspire change or action. When it comes to environmental topics in particular, imparting such information without a careful strategy is often ineffective…

University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations Assistant Professor Jay Hmielowski is the co-author of “Are You Threatening Me? Identity Threat, Resistance to Persuasion, and Boomerang Effects in Environmental Communication” published in Environmental Communication on Nov. 25. Hmielowski and Yanni Ma from Oregon State University examined resistance…