Alicia Wanless is an internationally recognized researcher of information warfare and strategic communications in a digital age. With more than a decade of experience in researching and analysing the information environment, focusing on propaganda and disinformation, Alicia conducts content and network analysis, and has developed original models for identifying and analysing digital propaganda campaigns. Alicia applies this learning to integrating information activities in support of government and military training exercises. Alicia is currently a PhD Researcher at King’s College in London exploring alternative frameworks for understanding the information environment. Supervisors: Dr. David Betz and Dr. Ofer Fridman
Success in the information environment requires an approach that seeks to understand and improve ... more Success in the information environment requires an approach that seeks to understand and improve the interactions within the system, rather than an atomistic approach that seeks to strengthen its elements, whether technological or human.
9th International Conference on Social Media And Society, 2018
This study aims to identify the factors that might cause a Facebook post to be 'liked' by Faceboo... more This study aims to identify the factors that might cause a Facebook post to be 'liked' by Facebook users. We analyze all the Facebook posts made by Donald Trump's campaign during the U.S. 2016 primary election. Several possible variables were considered, such as the types of Facebook posts, the use of pronouns and emotions, the inclusion of slogans and hashtags, references made to opponents, as well as candidate mentions on national television. The results of the Ordinary Least Squared (OLS) regression show that the use of highly charged (positive and negative) emotions and personalized posts (first-person singular pronouns) increase likes on the candidate's Facebook page. Visual posts (videos and photos) and the use of past tenses do not have a significant effect on post likes. Television mentions decrease the number of likes. The study offers empirical findings contributing to the growing literature on digitally networked participation [33] and support the development of the emerging notion of the new 'hybrid media' system [7] for political communication. It also raises questions as to the relevance of platforms such as Facebook to the democratic process since Facebook users are not necessarily engaging with the content in an organic, democratic way; but instead might be guided to specific content by the Facebook timeline algorithm.
Social Media & Social Order, Culture Conflict 2.0, 2017
Existing research on aspects of propaganda in a digital age tend to focus on isolated techniques ... more Existing research on aspects of propaganda in a digital age tend to focus on isolated techniques or phenomena, such as fake news, trolls, memes, or botnets. Providing invaluable insight on the evolving human-technology interaction in creating new formats of persuasive messaging, these studies lend to an enriched understanding of modern propaganda methods. At the same time, the true effects and magnitude of successful influencing of large audiences in the digital age can only be understood if target audiences are perceived not only as 'objects' of influence, but as 'subjects' of persuasive communications as well. Drawing from vast available research, as well as original social network and content analyses conducted during the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, this paper presents a new, qualitatively enhanced, model of modern propaganda-"participatory propaganda"-and discusses its effects on modern democratic societies.
Success in the information environment requires an approach that seeks to understand and improve ... more Success in the information environment requires an approach that seeks to understand and improve the interactions within the system, rather than an atomistic approach that seeks to strengthen its elements, whether technological or human.
9th International Conference on Social Media And Society, 2018
This study aims to identify the factors that might cause a Facebook post to be 'liked' by Faceboo... more This study aims to identify the factors that might cause a Facebook post to be 'liked' by Facebook users. We analyze all the Facebook posts made by Donald Trump's campaign during the U.S. 2016 primary election. Several possible variables were considered, such as the types of Facebook posts, the use of pronouns and emotions, the inclusion of slogans and hashtags, references made to opponents, as well as candidate mentions on national television. The results of the Ordinary Least Squared (OLS) regression show that the use of highly charged (positive and negative) emotions and personalized posts (first-person singular pronouns) increase likes on the candidate's Facebook page. Visual posts (videos and photos) and the use of past tenses do not have a significant effect on post likes. Television mentions decrease the number of likes. The study offers empirical findings contributing to the growing literature on digitally networked participation [33] and support the development of the emerging notion of the new 'hybrid media' system [7] for political communication. It also raises questions as to the relevance of platforms such as Facebook to the democratic process since Facebook users are not necessarily engaging with the content in an organic, democratic way; but instead might be guided to specific content by the Facebook timeline algorithm.
Social Media & Social Order, Culture Conflict 2.0, 2017
Existing research on aspects of propaganda in a digital age tend to focus on isolated techniques ... more Existing research on aspects of propaganda in a digital age tend to focus on isolated techniques or phenomena, such as fake news, trolls, memes, or botnets. Providing invaluable insight on the evolving human-technology interaction in creating new formats of persuasive messaging, these studies lend to an enriched understanding of modern propaganda methods. At the same time, the true effects and magnitude of successful influencing of large audiences in the digital age can only be understood if target audiences are perceived not only as 'objects' of influence, but as 'subjects' of persuasive communications as well. Drawing from vast available research, as well as original social network and content analyses conducted during the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, this paper presents a new, qualitatively enhanced, model of modern propaganda-"participatory propaganda"-and discusses its effects on modern democratic societies.
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