Description

This presentation will explore the increasingly prominent role social media platforms
play in shaping the flow of political information during elections. It will analyze how
online spaces serve as both a tool for political engagement and a battleground for
misinformation.

Key topics will include:

• The Rise of Political Influencers: Examining the growing influence of online
personalities in shaping political opinions and their vulnerability to manipulation,
including foreign interference.
• Susceptibility to Propaganda: Identifying the demographic and psychological
factors that make certain populations more susceptible to manipulation and
disinformation. Attendees will learn strategies for safeguarding themselves and
others against the spread of false or misleading content online.

Presented in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Albuquerque.

Presenter: Associate Professor Jessica Feezell (Ph.D. in Political
Science, UC Santa Barbara) specializes in American Politics, Political
Communication, Political Behavior, and Public Opinion. Her current
research focuses on the intersection of digital media and political
behavior, often emphasizing youth engagement. Dr. Feezell’s work has
been published in prestigious journals such as Political Research
Quarterly, PS: Political Science and Politics, Journal of Information
Technology & Politics, New Media & Society, Computers in Human
Behavior, Research & Politics, International Journal of
Communication, and Public Understanding of Science. She is also the
co-author of The Politics of Energy Crises (Oxford University Press).