Shota is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Mannheim, specializing in internet and social media studies. Prior to his position at the Institute for Media and Communication Studies, he contributed significantly as a Doctoral Researcher at the Chair of Digital Governance at TU Munich. His doctoral thesis, entitled “Bridging Social Cleavages via (Social) Media? A Comparative Study of how Social Media influences Inter-Group Attitudes”, showcases his expertise in exploring the impact of social media on inter-group dynamics under different country contexts. He was engaged in the Horizon 2020 project titled “Observatory for Political Texts in European Democracies (OPTED)”, where he focused on citizen-produced political texts. Shota is committed to understanding the intricate nuances of political communication.

At THE NEW INSTITUTE, Shota is involved in the program Depolarizing Public Debates.