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- Fall 2024: From the Editor
Fall 2024: From the Editor
Exploring Technology, Identity and Communication Across Digital and Social Landscapes
The potential perils of new technologies and the manner in which they may shape our identities is a prominent theme in the Fall 2024 edition of The Elon Journal.
Gianna Smurro explores how political bias influences how people judge the authenticity of online content, making deepfake technology even more of a concern because of its ability to exploit those biases. Through semi-structured interviews, Naomi Washington discovers a connection between Black women’s trust in healthcare providers and use of menstrual cycle tracking applications. Meanwhile, Jessie Cordwell examines how users of social media construct identities online and finds that a majority of respondents had, in some way, altered their own.
Two researchers in this edition focus on environmental communication. Katelyn Litvan uses an experimental approach to examine perceptions of environmental advocates on Instagram. The findings show that the intellectual advocate is perceived more authentic and more credible than both the celebrity advocate and the ordinary person advocate. Claire Kenealy’s study uses focus-group methodology to explore how environmental organizations can best use social media to effectively engage with young audiences, specifically differentiating between optimistic and pessimistic communication.
Three scholars address how communication is used in marketing and commercial contexts. Through a historical lens, Maeve Galway finds a strategic shift in Super Bowl television advertising, with brands using Corporate Social Responsibility to improve public image and meet consumer expectations. In the area of fashion communication, Madi Keller reveals that traditional journalists prioritize authority and credibility, while social media influencers focus on personal narratives and interactive engagement. In addition, Ryan Margaret Lee examines how digital marketing strategies shape consumer identities within the competitive market of water bottles, focusing on three major brands.
In addition, Matt Newberry’s article addresses the role of board games for educational development in linguistic competency, and he outlines his process for developing and designing an innovative dual-language, multigenerational board game of his own.
Each article is the culmination of a student’s long research journey, guided by the expertise of a faculty mentor. Please enjoy the collaborations in this edition.
Harlen Makemson
Professor
Editor, Elon Journal