My name is Kathrin Karsay, and I am a communication scientist. Currently, I work as a post-doctoral researcher at the School of Mass Communication Research at KU Leuven (Belgium).

I received my doctoral degree in February 2018 at the University of Vienna (Austria), where I held a pre-doctoral and post-doctoral research position at the Department of Communication.

My main research focuses on media use and mental health. By applying a multi-disciplinary and multi-method approach, I aim to understand how traditional and digital media influence individuals’ psychological well-being. My interests include computer-mediated communication (e.g., social media use/smartphone), media psychology and gender (e.g., sexualization, stereotypes), and body image research (e.g., self-objectification, the preventive effect of media disclaimers).

Learn more about my past and current research projects.

I’m currently serving as a guest editor for the International Journal of Communication (Special Section: “COVID-19, Digital Media, and Health” Click here to access the CfP) and Mass Communication Research (Special Issue: “Endlessly connected? Agentic perspectives on mobile media (non-)use“). I have published my research in leading SSCI-ranked journals, including Communication Research, Mass Communication and Society, Media Psychology and Computers in Human Behavior. My work has been acknowledged with several competitive awards and scholarships (e.g., ICA Kyoon Hur Dissertation Award, Austrian Award of Excellence, Sowi-Doc.Award). 

Have a look at my publications.

Latest article: *Karsay, K., Trekels, J, Eggermont, S., & Vandenbosch, L. (2020). “I (don’t) respect my body”: Investigating the role of media use and self-objectification on adolescents’ positive body image in a cross-national study. Mass Communication & Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2020.1827432