Dr. Kathrin Karsay
Communication Scientist, KU Leuven
I am an Assistant Professor at the School for Mass Communication Research at KU Leuven (Belgium). I dedicate my professional life to exploring, researching, and sharing knowledge on how to successfully navigate the mediated world we live in.
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
Nassen, L.-M., Vandebosch, H., Poels, K., & Karsay, K. (in press). Opt-out, Abstain, Unplug. A Systematic Review of the Disconnection Literature. Telematics & Informatics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2023.101980
Karsay, K., Matthes, J., Schmuck, D. & Ecklebe, S. (2022). Messaging, posting, and browsing: A mobile experience sampling study investigating youth’s social media use, affective well-being, and loneliness Social Science Computer Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/08944393211058308
Karsay, K., Schmuck, D., Stevic, A., & Matthes, J. (2022). Sleeping with the smartphone: A panel study investigating parental mediation, adolescents' tiredness, and physical well-being. Behavior and Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2022.2100277
CURRICULUM VITAE
My academic journey started at the University of Vienna, where I received my doctoral degree in 2018. I worked as a pre- and post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Communication until my maternity leave in 2019.
I then found my way to Belgium, first as a post-doctoral fellow funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO). Since Fall 2021 as a tenure-track Assistant Professor for Media and Health Communication at the School for Mass Communication at KU Leuven.
My research interests focus on the effects of entertaining digital and mass media on the societal and individual level. Within the past years, I have developed three major lines of inquiry. These closely interconnected strands of research center on (1) stigma and stereotypes in entertainment media, (2) challenges and effects of mobile connectivity in everyday life, and (3) the increasing role of digital celebrities in today’s media environment
I'm currently involved in research projects dealing with digital disconnection, mental health portrayals on social media, and the role of health influencers. I have received several awards and grants for my research, with projects and publications that you can learn more about below.
Academic Positions
09/2021
Assistant Professor for Media and Health Communication
2020–2021
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
2019–2020
Research Fellow
2018–2029
Postdoctoral Researcher
2013–2018
Predoctoral Researcher
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
Advertising and Media Effects Research Group
Austria
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Advertising and Media Effects Research Group
Austria
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Advertising and Media Effects Research Group
Austria
Education
RESEARCH
Publications by Topics
Current Research Projects
2013–2018
Doctoral Degree, Dr. phil.
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
Title of Dissertation: Objects of Desire. Content and Effects of Sexualizing Media.
Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jörg Matthes
2009–2012
UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA
Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria
Title of Master thesis: Effects of conservative political advertising on implicit and explicit attitudes.
Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jörg Matthes
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Florian Arendt
Master's Degree, Mag.phil.
2008–2009
University Degree French Language
UNIVERSITÉ SORBONNE NOUVELLE
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3, Paris, France
2006–2009
Bachelor's Degree
UNIVERSITY OF SALZBURG
Department of Communication Studies, University of Salzburg, Austria
RESEARCH
I've been lucky to work with smart and caring colleagues, mentors, and supervisors throughout my career. Since September 2021, I've been leading my own research team.
Together with my two doctoral students, Elien Beelen and Lise-Marie Nassen, we're investigating the role of mobile media in everyday life and its interrelations with our health and well-being.
Elien's dissertation investigates social media's representations of mental health and mental illness and potential effects on attitudes, perception, and stigma of mentally ill. Lise-Marie's dissertation focuses on disconnection practices in an ever-connected society and its associations to psychological well-being.
Within the FWF research project "Health Influencers in Social Media" (PI Raffael Heiss), I am supervising Sascha Gell and Elena Engel in their research on health misinformation and food marketing.
Clicking on the links above will lead you to my publications
TEACHING
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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)
KU Leuven
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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
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Grants
2021
2020-2023
Grant for the project: “Health Influencers on Social Media: Who They Are, What They Post, and How They Affect Adolescents’ Health” Funded by the FWF Austrian Science Fund, PI: Raffael Heiss; Co-Principal investigator
Grant for the project “Social media use and adolescents’ well-being”. Funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), PI: Jörg Matthes, Co-author
2019-2021
FWO junior postdoctoral fellowship for the project: “Digitizing Joy: The Role of Smartphone Use in Capitalizing Positive Life Events and Adolescents’ Psychological Wellbeing”
2019-2021
Grant for the project: “Perfect picture, imperfect life? The relationship between personalized Instagram use and subjective life satisfaction – A linkage analysis.” Funded by the Society of Communication (ÖGK) for innovative research in communication science. In collaboration with Brigitte Naderer and Christina Peter, Principal investigator
2018-2019
Grant for the project: “Perception and effects of disclaimer labels on fashion images on body image.” Funded by the Vienna Municipal Department of Women’s Affairs (MA 57) and Women’s Health (MA 24). In collaboration with Brigitte Naderer and Christina Peter, Principal investigator
2018
Grant for the project “Top slicing and contestable funding in the broadcast media market”. Funded by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, ORF. In collaboration with Raffael Heiss; Principal Investigator
2018
Travel grant, “International Communication” by the Austrian Research Association to visit an international conference in Bath (UK)
2017
Travel grant, “Short-term grant abroad” by the University of Vienna, Austria.
2017
Research Award by the Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria. In collaboration with Desirée Schmuck; Co-Principal Investigator
2008
Fellowship “Franz Josef Martin Plantz und Paula Zyber Stiftung” administered by the University of Salzburg to study French language at the University Sorbonne Nouvelle
Awards
2021
2019
Top Student Paper Award, International Communication Association (ICA) Children, Adolescents, and Media Division, as a co-author of Sarah Devos, Steven Eggermont, & Laura Vandenbosch.
ICA Kyoon Hur Dissertation Award, International Communication Association (ICA), Mass Communication Division.
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.
OUTREACH / THIRD MISSION
Sharing my research with the public.
CONTACT
