C.A. (Cosima) Hofacker
PhD Candidate at the Centre for Media and Journalism StudiesShe/Her
E-mail:
c.a.hofacker rug.nl
Expertise
Cosima Annabelle Hofacker is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Media and Journalism Research at the University of Groningen. Under the supervision of
Dr Marília Gehrke
,
Dr Eedan Amit-Danhi and
Dr Scott Eldridge II
, she is conducting a four-year research project on “Visual Gendered Disinformation”.
In her research, she examines the role that the spread of visual gendered disinformation in Northern and Central Europe plays in relation to political participation and the representation of women in politics. The project aims to offer a multi-perspective and timely view, including the rapid advances in AI-generated (audio-)visual production and how this affects women in particular, for instance, in the form of pornographic deepfakes. It will therefore focus not only on conceptualising visual gendered disinformation through a systematic literature review, but also on researching the content level, its effects on audiences and the experiences of those targeted.
Rooted in qualitative research approaches, a critical multimodal discourse analysis will be conducted to examine the communication and meaning-making strategies used in visual disinformation about women in politics. Subsequently, media diaries and focus groups will be conducted to capture the impact of such content on audiences regarding their perception of women in such powerful positions. Lastly, interviews with women in politics who have been targeted by forms of visual gendered disinformation will provide insights into their experiences and the consequences they have drawn (or had to draw), particularly in terms of their political participation. Ultimately, this research is intended to create a comprehensive understanding of visual gendered disinformation and its potential dangers for women's participation and representation in politics.
Cosima holds a master's degree in media studies and a bachelor's degree in cultural studies and aesthetic practices, classical music (theory and practice; violoncello) and media theory.
In her research, she examines the role that the spread of visual gendered disinformation in Northern and Central Europe plays in relation to political participation and the representation of women in politics. The project aims to offer a multi-perspective and timely view, including the rapid advances in AI-generated (audio-)visual production and how this affects women in particular, for instance, in the form of pornographic deepfakes. It will therefore focus not only on conceptualising visual gendered disinformation through a systematic literature review, but also on researching the content level, its effects on audiences and the experiences of those targeted.
Rooted in qualitative research approaches, a critical multimodal discourse analysis will be conducted to examine the communication and meaning-making strategies used in visual disinformation about women in politics. Subsequently, media diaries and focus groups will be conducted to capture the impact of such content on audiences regarding their perception of women in such powerful positions. Lastly, interviews with women in politics who have been targeted by forms of visual gendered disinformation will provide insights into their experiences and the consequences they have drawn (or had to draw), particularly in terms of their political participation. Ultimately, this research is intended to create a comprehensive understanding of visual gendered disinformation and its potential dangers for women's participation and representation in politics.
Cosima holds a master's degree in media studies and a bachelor's degree in cultural studies and aesthetic practices, classical music (theory and practice; violoncello) and media theory.
Last modified:11 November 2025 3.57 p.m.