Todd Graham

Profile

As an Associate Professor of Political Communication and Journalism at the University of Leeds, I explore the evolving role of media in contemporary politics, focusing on the impact of digital and social media on election campaigns, public opinion, political discourse, and the public sphere. Recognised with awards for research excellence, my publications appear in leading peer-reviewed journals such as New Media & Society, The International Journal of Press/Politics, Journalism Studies, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, and Information, Communication & Society.

Responsibilities

• Programme Leader, Communication and Media (BA)

Research interests

My research explores the impact of digital technologies on political communication and journalism. Key interests include:

• Elections & Political Participation: The role of online campaigns, social media use by politicians, digital activism, and online deliberation.

• Digital News & Journalism: Innovations and transformations in digital journalism practices.

• Public Sphere & Culture: The evolving nature of the public sphere in the digital age and the interplay between digital culture, popular culture, and politics.

PhD Supervision

I welcome applications from prospective PhD students passionate about researching political communication, journalism, and digital media. I am particularly interested in supervising and co-creating projects that delve into:

• Online Elections Campaigns: Misinformation, microtargeting, and online mobilisation strategies.

• Digital Journalism: Innovation in newsgathering and storytelling, data journalism, and the role of social media in news production and consumption.

• Online Participation: Digital activism, online deliberation, and social media's impact on political discourse.

• Digital Public Sphere: Changes to public discourse, polarisation, and platform governance.

I am open to a range of methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods) and encourage applications from students with backgrounds in communication studies, political science, sociology, and related disciplines. I believe in a collaborative approach to supervision and am excited to work with students on impactful research.

Qualifications

• PhD, Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam
• MA (with distinction), Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam
• BA (double major), University of Rhode Island
• University Teaching Qualification (University of Groningen)

Student education

I am passionate about helping students understand the crucial links between media, politics, and citizenship, especially in the digital age. My modules integrate perspectives from political science, sociology, media and communication studies, and political philosophy, offering a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience. I aim to create a dynamic, student-centred classroom where students actively engage with and apply both rigorous theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies, developing the critical thinking skills and practical knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of today's media environment. My research methods modules provide hands-on training in the tools and techniques for conducting effective social research, equipping students with valuable skills for their future careers.

Research groups and institutes

• Journalism
• Political Communication