Marisa Smith

Dr. Marisa Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations at Michigan State University (MSU), with a courtesy appointment in the Department of Political Science. She is affiliated with the College of Communication Arts & Sciences and the Health and Risk Communication Center. Her research focuses on race, identity, and digital media ecosystems, examining how racialized topics are framed in media and their impact on political decision-making and civic engagement. She employs computational social science methodologies to study disinformation, polarization, and the intersection of race and political communication.

Her work integrates critical perspectives on digital information environments, disinformation narratives, and the role of platforms in shaping racial discourse. Recent publications explore topics like the Black Right's digital influence, critical race theory in disinformation, and the #BlackLivesMatter movement's media framing. Smith’s research emphasizes the societal implications of media consumption, including health inequities, activism, and self-representation in social platforms.

While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to political communication and computational social science are evident through her prolific publications in journals like Political Communication and New Media & Society. She advises students in interdisciplinary areas but no named advisees are provided. Her lab affiliations and collaborative projects underscore her commitment to addressing contemporary challenges in media, race, and democracy.