Janice Butler

Janice Butler is a Researcher at the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute, having joined in 2021 as part of her cohort. She holds dual nationality from Germany and the United Kingdom, bringing a transnational perspective to her work.

Her research focuses on critical issues at the intersection of digital communication and society:

• Analysis of information and disinformation dynamics
• Digital media ecosystems and their societal impacts
• Communication and media theory in contemporary contexts
• Artificial intelligence applications and implications
• Internet and online platform governance
• Conspiracy theories: their rise, evolution, and societal consequences

Her doctoral work centered on "Conspiracy Theories: Rise and Fall" under the supervision of Elias Dinas, examining how conspiracy theories emerge, spread, and eventually decline within digital communication environments. This research contributes significantly to understanding contemporary challenges in media literacy, democratic discourse, and information integrity in the digital age.

As a researcher with expertise spanning technological, social, and political dimensions of digital communication, Butler's work intersects with multiple EUI research themes including digital transformations, media pluralism, and AI governance, addressing some of the most pressing issues facing democratic societies today.