Tanja Aitamurto, PhD
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois Chicago and the founding director of the Media/Democracy Lab. My research examines how people use media to connect, express themselves, and participate in democratic life. I study how communication practices shape understanding, empathy, and inclusion, with a focus on how media can empower individuals and communities to engage more fully in civic life and influence democratic processes.
Bringing together social science and design perspectives, my work explores the relationships among people, communication, and society, aiming to foster a more equitable and informed public sphere through civil discourse across polarized perspectives.
More about my work here.