معرفی
Paul Mena is a former Lecturer at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) Writing Program, focusing on Journalism and related disciplines. He holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Florida and a master's degree in Mass Communications and Journalism Studies from the University of South Florida (St. Petersburg), supported by a Fulbright scholarship. His research centers on journalism, misinformation, fact-checking, and media credibility. Prior to academia, he worked as a professional journalist in Ecuador, contributing to outlets like BBC News Mundo and El País (Spain).
His educational journey includes a Ph.D. from the University of Florida and a master's degree from the University of South Florida, both in Mass Communications fields. His Fulbright experience underscores his commitment to cross-cultural academic and journalistic endeavors. Mena’s professional journalism background in Ecuador enriches his academic work, particularly in understanding media practices globally.
Mena’s research explores how misinformation spreads online, the role of digital platforms like Instagram and Facebook in propagating false information, and strategies to mitigate its impact through warning labels and data visualization. His work also examines journalists’ ethical boundaries in fact-checking and the influence of trusted sources on credibility perceptions.
Though no longer affiliated with UCSB’s Writing Program, his contributions to teaching and research in multiplatform journalism, writing ethics, and digital media remain impactful. His publications span journals like Journalism and Social Media + Society, reflecting his interdisciplinary focus on media practices and societal implications.
