Julia Metag

Prof. Dr. Julia Metag is Professor for Communication Science at the Department of Communication, University of Münster, where she heads the chair on 'Forms and Processes of Public Communication.' Her research focuses on political communication, science communication, media effects, and online communication. She is actively involved in major research initiatives such as the 'Hot SciComm Lab' (funded by the Volkswagen Foundation) and 'Global Warming’s Five Germanys,' and has led significant projects including the 'Science Barometer Switzerland.'

Julia Metag's research interests include science communication, political communication, media use, public trust in science, science-related populism, climate change communication, and digital media. She investigates how audiences engage with scientific information, the role of visuals and AI in science communication, and the impact of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Her work often employs survey, experimental, and content analysis methods to understand public perceptions and media effects.

Her recent publications reflect a strong focus on trust in science, audience segmentation, science literacy in digital environments, and the multimodal nature of science communication. She frequently collaborates with scholars across Europe, particularly with Mike S. Schäfer and other colleagues in Switzerland and Germany.

Scientific Awards and Memberships:

• Member of the Academia Europaea (The Academy of Europe)
• Member of the German Society for Journalism and Communication Studies (DGPuK)
• Member of the International Communication Association (ICA)
• Member of the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA)
• Member of the Center for Higher Education and Science Studies (CHESS), University of Zurich
• Editorial Board Member of Studies in Communication Sciences, Media and Communication, and Environmental Communication
• Advisory Board Member of the German 'Wissenschaftsbarometer'

Julia Metag supervises student theses and leads collaborative research projects, often involving interdisciplinary teams. She has previously held academic positions at the University of Zurich and the University of Fribourg, and her work is widely published in top journals such as Public Understanding of Science, Science Communication, and Communication Research. She is also involved in public engagement through projects like 'Frag Sophie!' and 'Nachgefragt bei Sophie & Co,' which use creative formats to bridge science and society.

She leads the 'Hot SciComm Lab,' which investigates science communication in highly contested, multimodal environments shaped by social media, AI, and deepfakes. Her leadership in research networks such as 'Cultures of Compromise' further demonstrates her interdisciplinary reach and academic influence.