Christian Schwaderer is a PhD student at the Department of Political Science at the University of Innsbruck, where he is involved in a research project exploring how governments communicated during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. His research focuses on how governments use digital platforms to reach citizens when traditional communication channels, such as television or print media, are less effective or accessible.
Interest in JMG
Christian Schwaderer works at the intersection of two fields: crisis communication and digital discourse. In other words, he studies how governments and authorities communicate during a crisis, like a pandemic, and how these messages are spread and discussed online. Since social media and digital forums have become so crucial for information exchange, understanding how government messages interact with discussions on platforms like X, Facebook, and other online forums is essential.
– I came to Gothenburg for a research visit at JMG because much of the research here overlaps with my own interests—particularly in political communication and crisis communication, says Christian Schwaderer. This connection made JMG a natural choice, and since I have often encountered JMG’s research at conferences, I was very curious to have the opportunity to meet researchers here, exchange ideas, and receive feedback on my own work. I had also heard a lot of positive things about Gothenburg as a city, so I was excited to experience it myself—the lovely mix of city and nature in the spring.
Part of his work involves comparing how the flow of information looked in different European countries during the first phase of the pandemic, when various governments and citizens handled the crisis in different ways. He aims to provide a deeper understanding of how the nature of crisis communication changes as digital platforms play a larger role, and what this means for how people perceive the measures taken by governments and authorities.
Crisis communication in a digital world
Through his research, Christian Schwaderer highlights how digital platforms are changing the way governments communicate with their citizens. This, in turn, impacts citizens' trust in public institutions and their ability to understand and manage information during a crisis. His work provides valuable insights for decision-makers and communicators who wish to improve future strategies for managing information during crises and strengthen communication with the public.
– During my stay, I look forward to engaging with the research conducted at JMG and discussing my own work in that context. I see it as an exciting opportunity to work in a new academic environment—outside the one I usually find myself in—and I hope it will help me move forward with my current work. I especially look forward to presenting my research, receiving feedback from colleagues here, and participating in seminars and discussions—and hopefully contributing something valuable in return. I also see this stay as a chance to learn from other perspectives and approaches within the field.
In short, Christian Schwaderer demonstrates how the digital world and social media not only serve as a channel for information but also as a dynamic arena where citizens actively participate and reshape stories and messages during a crisis. His research thus contributes to a broader understanding of how society manages information in times of uncertainty and crisis.
More information
Learn more about Christian Schwaderer and his research here: https://christianschwaderer.github.io
Read more about JMG's research on risk and crisis communication here: https://www.gu.se/en/jmg/risk-and-crisis-communication
Text: Andrea Ångman
