Melissa Santillana

Melissa Santillana is an Assistant Professor of Journalism at Texas Tech University's College of Media & Communication. Born and raised in Mexico, she holds a Ph.D. in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and was a Fulbright Scholar in Mexico City. Her work bridges media studies, digital activism, and Latin American cultural dynamics. Prior to academia, she served as Spanish Editor for the Laredo Morning Times.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Media Studies, University of Texas at Austin
• Fulbright Scholarship (Mexico City)

Research Interests: Dr. Santillana focuses on international media flows, feminist activism, digital inequality, and the intersection of media with social movements. Her work critically examines how digital platforms shape political engagement, protest dynamics, and cultural identity formation in Latin America and transnational contexts.

Publications Trends: Her recent articles explore social media's role in radicalizing political discourse, framing feminist protests (e.g., Mexico’s 'Glitter Revolution'), and analyzing media consumption patterns among Latin American audiences. She co-authored From Telenovelas to Netflix, a seminal text on transnational television dynamics.

Awards:

• Fulbright Scholar

Advising & Grants: No information provided on current advisees or grants.

Labs/Teams: Not explicitly mentioned in available materials.