Supervisors:
Primary Supervisor: Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova 70% (Department of Communication and Media, University of Liverpool)
Secondary Supervisor: Dr Antal Wozniak 30% (Department of Communication and Media, University of Liverpool)
Contact:
Tweets @Asma_Khurram
LinkedIn – Asma Khurram
Research topic:
TikTok has garnered the most scholarly attention regarding the concept of misinformation as the zeitgeist of this generation (Gen Z). Its engagement-driven architecture is often attributed to producing new global trends on the one hand, and enables it to become a breeding ground for misinformation and conspiracy theories on the other. There are many forms of such falsehoods including memes. While intended to be humorous, repeated exposure to memes may reinforce inaccurate information. Research has demonstrated that fact-checking websites play a crucial role in curbing the spread of misinformation. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of fact-checking can be hampered by the abundance of online misinformation and the limited reach of fact-checking information compared to misinformation. The first step to gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of misinformation is to classify different types of misinformation on their levels of accuracy. The mixed-method design of my project draws upon the analysis of TikTok videos (N=87) verified as misinformation by global fact-checking websites and their corresponding user comments (n=6184), semi-structured interviews (n=12) and a representative survey of TikTok users aged 18-24 in U.K (n=384). The empirical findings of my study describe the nature of the content of misinformation TikTok posts, creative forms and participation structures. Secondly, it examines user perceptions of belief, valence and knowledge of online falsehoods. Lastly, it explores the role of TikTok as a platform in the cosmos of misinformation.
Research areas:
Young people; misinformation; conspiracy theories; social media; TikTok; media literacy; fact-checking; meme theory.
Academic achievements:
Presented the research methodology and findings of my PhD project at the International Political Studies Association Conferences (2022 and 2023).
My MA dissertation was a content analysis of commercially driven media outlets and identified populist biases in the UK.
Scholarly experience includes a quantitative analysis of Muslim representation by British media.
Practical experiences include studio production and presenting for the University of Chester’s CAT radio; production of a short documentary entitled ‘Role of Social Media in Politics in a Local Authority in England’; production of a VT on Chester Christmas markets 2017; pitching treatments of formatted TV programs and documentaries advertised on commissioning pages of British TV to industry professionals.
Industry and teaching experience:
February-May 2024: COMM343/Young People and the Media, University of Liverpool.
February 2021-August 2023: PGR Peer Mentor, Peers for PhDs, University of Liverpool.
May 2021/May 2022/May 2023: Member of Organising Committee, Annual Communication and Media Departmental Research Conference, University of Liverpool.
November 2020-September 2021: Cover Supervisor, Randstad Education, Chester.
September 2019-September 2020: Volunteer 1:1 Support Worker, Passion for learning, Chester.
July 2017: Stringer, Digital Camera Project, Sky News.
August 2015: Volunteer Broadcaster, Flipside Radio, Chester.