Upcoming: IM Public Lecture
The Strategic Opinion Leader: Everyday Political Talk and Digital Media Elizabeth Dubois Oxford University Lecture Details Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 from 1:30pm-2:30pm Room 3001, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Ave Abstract: Are digital tools enabling a “just-in-time” informed citizenry who don’t have enough time to engage in the political process? When equipped with a wide selection of tools to aid them in their information sourcing and sharing practices political opinion leaders take up a strategic approach to communication. This strategic approach means that the minority of citizens who are highly politically aware limit their political communications to non-aware audiences widening the gulf between the engaged public and the apathetic. This study makes use of a sequential mixed-methods approach (social network analysis, online survey, trace interviews) and brings into question the process of “personal influence” and theories about how...