Expertise
Dr. Seelig’s research focuses extensively on using alternative media and emerging technologies to enrich the public's understanding of environmental and social issues. She examines how visual and interactive media change our communication using innovative technologies. What interests Dr. Seelig most is the relationship between visualizing phenomena related to people and places, the societal changes happening in the world, and identifying methods for effective advocacy through various media. Currently, Dr. Seelig is investigating the relationship between Generation Z and Millennials’ social media exposure to information about social causes and how pro-social messages in entertaining narratives encourages people to take part in climate engagement to reduce their environmental impact. Also, she is analyzing the visuals and text on websites for skin care to uncover what green themes directly and indirectly communicate to consumers about a green ecology. Dr. Seelig is also part of a multidisciplinary team of scholars at the University of Miami supported by UM’s Laboratory for Integrative Knowledge (U-Link) and partnered with faculty at Indiana University. We are examining how online social media networks have emerged at the epicenter where influential actors unify people around divisive ‘conversations’ promoting conspiratorial rhetoric, accelerating their spread, and contributing to further polarization of extremes with the intent of causing widespread harm.