Research

My research agenda examines the intersection of digital technology and democratic discourse. Using computational methods and experimental designs, I investigate how algorithms and platform governance shape what citizens see, believe, and tolerate online.

I. Algorithmic Gatekeeping & Inequality

Do search and recommendation algorithms amplify structural discrimination?

  • Influence of Hate Speech About Refugees in Search Algorithms on Political Attitudes (2024) New Media & Society | Journal | PDF > This paper provides causal evidence that search engine autocompletions can amplify hostility toward refugees. Crucially, it identifies a “polarization effect”: the negative impact is driven almost entirely by individuals with existing right-wing ideologies.

  • Biased Representation of Politicians in Google and Wikipedia Search (2021) Political Communication | Journal > Using a novel computational measure for detecting gender bias, this study demonstrates that search algorithms do not treat all candidates equally—revealing significant gender biases particularly among conservative politicians.

II. Toxicity & Content Moderation

Do citizens actually want a “sanitized” internet?

  • Toxic Speech and Limited Demand for Content Moderation on Social Media (2024) American Political Science Review | Journal | PDF > Challenging the assumption that users desire strict moderation, this study reveals that citizens largely tolerate uncivil and intolerant speech. Demands for removal are context-dependent and generally reserved only for severe physical threats.

III. Disinformation & Conspiracy Beliefs

What drives susceptibility to conspiracy narratives?

  • Justifying an Invasion: When Is Disinformation Successful? (2024) Political Communication | Journal | PDF > Analyzing data from 19 countries regarding the Ukraine invasion, this study finds that a user’s pre-existing “conspiracy mindset” is a stronger predictor of believing hostile disinformation than their actual media diet.

  • Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories and Online News Consumption (2024) Journal of Quantitative Description: Digital Media | Journal | PDF > A comparative mapping of conspiracy beliefs across 17 democracies. Results show that national information environments play a crucial moderating role in the relationship between social media use and conspiracy beliefs.

Grants & Awards

My research has been supported by competitive funding and recognized by international awards.

Secured Funding

  • TUM Think Tank / HfP Seed Funding (2026) Principal Investigator | “AI-driven Empowerment in Political Discussions” (Pilot for ERC Grant).
  • Re-Boot Social Media Lab (2022-2023) Co-Principal Investigator | “Platforms for the People” (€35k).

Research Honors

  • Finalist: WWTF Young Research Group (2024) Selected for the final round of the Vienna Science and Technology Fund call (approx. €1.6M volume), confirming the high quality of the research proposal.
  • Best Paper Award (2019) ACM Web Science Conference