About Dietram A. Scheufele

Communication Studies

Dietram A. Scheufele is one of the world’s most widely cited experts in the fields of science, health, and political communications. His research analyzes the interplay of political communication and democratic decision-making and the impacts of algorithmically-curated information and disinformation. Scheufele’s work on framing theory has informed the way news organizations moderate reader comments to promote civil, productive discourse. Beyond the social sciences, he has studied public perceptions of emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology, human genome editing, and machine learning, as well as how these areas may emerge as the focus of future policy debates.

Professional positions
  • 2004–present: Professor (2004–2009), John E. Ross Professor in Science Communication (2009–2019), Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor (2015–present), and Taylor Bascom Chair in Science Communication (2019–present), University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • 2000–2004: Assistant (2000–2003) and associate (2003–2004) professor of communication, Cornell University
Notable publications
  • Freiling, Isabelle, Nicole M. Krause, Dietram A. Scheufele, and Dominique Brossard. 2023. “Believing and Sharing Misinformation, Fact-Checks, and Accurate Information on Social Media: The Role of Anxiety During COVID-19.” New Media & Society 25(1): 141–162.
  • Scheufele, Dietram A., and Nicole M. Krause. 2019. “Science Audiences, Misinformation, and Fake News.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 116(16): 7662–7669.
  • Anderson, Ashley A., Dominique Brossard, Dietram A. Scheufele, Michael A. Xenos, and Peter Ladwig. 2014. “The ‘Nasty Effect:’ Online Incivility and Risk Perceptions of Emerging Technologies.” Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 19(3): 373–387.
  • Scheufele, Dietram A. 1999. “Framing as a Theory of Media Effects.” Journal of Communication 49(1): 103–122.
Degrees
  • PhD, mass communications, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • MA, journalism and mass communication, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • BA, journalism, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
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