Tom Johnson

Tom Johnson is the Amon G. Carter Jr. Centennial Professor in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin. He has been on the faculty since Fall 2010 and directs the Digital Media Research Program. His expertise spans political communication, digital media, and media effects, with a focus on media’s role in elections since 1984.

Research Interests: Johnson investigates how new media (e.g., blogs, social networks, mobile apps) influence political engagement and public discourse. Key themes include Internet credibility, agenda-setting theory in the digital age, and the interplay between media use and societal outcomes like social capital. His work bridges traditional media studies with emerging digital platforms.

Scientific Contributions: His co-authored articles have been recognized as landmark studies, and one work was identified as the most downloaded by Sage in 2003-2004. He has authored five books, including Agenda Setting in a 2.0 World, and has published over 65 refereed journal articles.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Digital Media Research Program, exploring evolving media landscapes and their societal impacts.