[Air-L] Interest in intersection of social media and health -- recommended resources?

[Elisabeth Wilhelm]

Dear AoIR Colleagues,

Hi, I’m Elisabeth, a PhD student in the department of midwifery in a school for health services and research at UNIWA in Greece. I have a communications background and I am the odd duck non-midwife in a sea of colorful wooly cardigans and the Nicest People at midwifery conferences. I have found lurking on this listserve for the last year a great way to discover new articles, books, conferences and fellowships that scratch my internet research itch. However, alas, the nerdy intersection of social media and misinformation and public health/medicine is a much rarer combination to appear. My research focuses globally on midwives, their clients (particularly migrants), and how health misinformation and the information environment affects their relationship and care provision.

In 2026, I have resolved to expand my horizons and networks and try to more explicitly find potential internet research collaborators, networks and conferences/opportunities that welcome public health and medical perspectives in internet research. Because my PhD studies are not in a communications department, I don’t benefit from networks and connections that I might otherwise learn from. The flip side of medical researchers dipping their toes into internet research I am more familiar with—I worked at CDC before *waves hands around*. But when it comes to true tested media and internet researchers and how they engage with health topics, I have a lot to learn.

So, do you have any suggestions on global networks, conferences, PhD student resources or fellowships I should explore that have a focus on internet research and health communication/education/workforce beyond my keyboard and Google Alerts can find? Please do share!

Thanks in advance and I hope that 2026 is a kinder, healthier, and brighter year for us all.

Elisabeth Wilhelm