Gil Sharon

Profile

I am a PhD student in the School of Media and Communication at the University of Leeds. My research concerns the US far-right on TikTok. I am conducting a content analysis of American far-right content on TikTok. The aim is to map the network of far-right actors on TikTok and analyse how they spread their messages through the platform using its unique affordances, norms, and community guidelines.

Prior to my PhD, I worked as a media analyst at Ifat Media Group. As a media analyst, I conducted traditional media framing analysis for government agencies using content analysis methods and tools. At Ifat, I was the public desk manager, overlooking the entire company's operation with the public sector. In addition, I graduated with a master's from the School of Communication at Tel Aviv University. My thesis was the basis for an article published in the 'Frontiers in Psychology' (link). My master's thesis was about belief in fake news on Facebook, examining the relationship between mainstream media trust and belief in fake news.  This research was awarded an excellence scholarship from The Center for the Study of the United States in partnership with the Fulbright program in Tel-Aviv University.

Research interests

Political communication

Social media studies

Digital media and culture

Online dis/misinformation

Extreme political discourses

Qualifications

• Digital Method Summer School at the University of Manchester
• MA in Communication, Tel-Aviv University
• BA in Film and Television, Tel-Aviv University
• Communication studies, University of North Florida