LATEST PUBLICATIONS
Noon, E., Maes, C., Karsay, K., & Yang, C. (2024). From stigma to strength? The interrelations between sexual identity stigma, well-being, and accepting communities on Instagram amongst sexual minority youth. Journal of Adolescence.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12465
Nassen, L-M., Schreurs, L., Karsay, K., & Vandenbosch, L. (2024). Exploring adolescents’ social media connection and disconnection: A latent class approach. Media & Communication.
https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.8597
Beelen, E. & Karsay, K. (2024). “The future is bright! Is it?” Investigating effects of hopeful mental health content and endorsement cues on social media. Social Media + Society, 10(3).
https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051241277603
CURRICULUM VITAE
I began my academic journey at the University of Vienna, where I earned my Ph.D. in 2018. During my studies, I had the opportunity to visit KU Leuven in Belgium, Freie Universität Berlin in Germany, and the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Following my doctoral studies, I worked as a pre- and post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Communication before taking maternity leave in 2019.
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Afterward, I moved to Belgium as a postdoctoral fellow, supported by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). I later joined KU Leuven as an Assistant Professor in Media and Health Communication within their Media Psychology Lab. Since September 2023, I have returned to the University of Vienna's Department of Communication as a tenure-track Assistant Professor.
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My research explores the impact of entertaining digital and mass media on both societal and individual levels. With a dedication to academic excellence, I aim to advance knowledge in the field, inform the public, and serve as both a role model and mentor for emerging scholars.
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Currently, I focus on three main research areas:
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Challenges and effects of mobile connectivity and digital disconnection in everyday life
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Risks and benefits of mental health discussions on social media
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The impact of health influencers on adolescents
Academic Positions
09/2023
Assistant Professor
Entertainment Research
2021–2023
Assistant Professor
Media and Health Communication
2020–2021
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
2019–2020
Research Fellow
2018–2029
Postdoctoral Researcher
2013–2018
Predoctoral Researcher
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication
KU LEUVEN
Leuven School for Mass Communication Research
Belgium
KU LEUVEN
Leuven School for Mass Communication Research
Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)
Belgium
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication
Education
RESEARCH
Publications by Topics
2013–2018
Doctoral Degree, Dr. phil.
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jörg Matthes
2009–2012
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jörg Matthes
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Florian Arendt
Master's Degree, Mag.phil.
2006–2009
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY OF SALZBURG
Department of Communication Studies, University of Salzburg, Austria
RESEARCH
I have been fortunate to work alongside thoughtful and compassionate colleagues, mentors, and supervisors throughout my career. Since September 2021, I've had the privilege of leading my own research team.
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Together with my supervised PhD candidates Elien Beelen and Lise-Marie Nassen, we explore how mobile and social media influence our daily lives, health, and well-being. Elien's research examines how mental health is represented on social media and its potential impact on attitudes, perceptions, and stigma. Lise-Marie's dissertation investigates disconnection practices in our constantly connected society, focusing on their relationship with psychological well-being and digital stress.
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Within the FWF research project "Health Influencers in Social Media" (PI: Raffael Heiss), I am supervising Sascha Gell and Elena Engel in their doctoral research on health (mis)information and nutrition marketing.
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Additionally, I supervise Alina Danilkow and collaborate with Prof. Dr. Ruth Wendt and Dr. Anne-Linda Camerini on the international project "AWARE: Mental Health Portrayals on Social Media."
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An overview of my complete publication list can be found on Google Scholar: click here
TEACHING
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Introduction to Data Analysis with R (2024)
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Master seminar (2024, 2025)
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Communication sociology lecture (2024, 2025)
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Communication research proseminar (2024)
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Communication research methods (2015, 2016, 2017)
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Communication research seminar (2014, 2015)
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Tutoring & teaching assistance (2010-2011)
University of Vienna
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Psychology of social media lecture (2021/22, 2022/23)
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Evidence-based health communication seminar (2021/22, 2022/23)
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Quantitative seminar (2021/22, 2022/23)
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Uitdagingen in de communicatiewetenschappen [Challenges in communictaion science] (2023)
KU Leuven
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Grants (selection)
2024-2027
Project: “AWARE: Mental Health Portrayals on Social Media & Implications on Adolescents' Awareness and Well-being." FWF Austrian Science Funds; Principal investigator
In Collaboration with A.-L. Camerini and R. Wendt)
2023-2025
Project: “Digital well-being in an ‘always-on’ society: Investigating the interrelationships between digital disconnection and psychological well-being.”
KU Leuven; Principal investigator
2021-2023
Project: “Toward conceptual clarification and empirical evidence on the relationship between digital disconnection and psychological well-being”.
KU Leuven; Principal investigator
2022-2025
Project: “Health Influencers on Social Media: Who they are, what they post, and how they affect adolescents’ health” (PI: R. Heiss)
FWF Austrian Science Fund, Co-Principal investigator
2020-2023
Project “Social media use and adolescents’ well-being”. Funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), PI: Jörg Matthes, Co-author
2019-2021
Postdoctoral fellowship for the project: “Digitizing Joy: The Role of Smartphone Use in Capitalizing Positive Life Events and Adolescents’ Psychological Wellbeing”
FWO
2019-2020
Project: “Perfect picture, imperfect life? The relationship between personalized Instagram use and subjective life satisfaction – A linkage analysis.” (with B. Naderer and C. Peter)
Society of Communication (ÖGK), Principal investigator
2019-2019
Project: “Perception and effects of disclaimer labels on fashion images on body image.”
Vienna Municipal Department of Women’s Affairs (MA 57) and Women’s Health (MA 24) (with B. Naderer and C. Peter), Principal investigator
2015
Research award: Department of Communication, University of Vienna, (with D. Schmuck); Co-Principal investigator
Awards
2025
Top Reviewer, ICA Mobile Division.
2019
ICA Kyoon Hur Dissertation Award, International Communication Association (ICA), Mass Communication Division.
2025
ICA Top Student Paper Award, Mass Communication Division, as a co-author of supervised Phd candidate E. Beelen. This award is granted to the best student-led paper presented at the yearly conference within the MassCom Division.
2024
Best Paper Award, 3rd Place, co-authored with supervised Phd candidates E. Engel, S. Gell as well as R. Heiss; Austrian Public Health Conference, Innsbruck, Austria.
2023
Reviewer Award awarded at the European Conference on Health Communication by the European Journal of Health Communication
2021
Top Student Paper Award, International Communication Association (ICA) Children, Adolescents, and Media Division, leading author: Sarah Devos
2018
Award of Excellence, Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
2018
Sowi-Doc.Award, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Vienna
2017
Top 3 Student Paper Award, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s (AEJMC) Communication Theory and Methodology Division
2009
Best Bachelor Thesis Award, Department of Communication Studies, University of Salzburg, Austria.
MEDIA / THIRD MISSION
Selection of media appearances
