Scott Brennen
Bio
Dr. J. Scott Brennen is the Head of Online Expression Policy at the Center on Technology Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Scott also works as a communication scholar who holds a postdoctoral research position at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and the Oxford Internet Institute.
His research focuses on the impact of evolving media structures, cultures, and technologies on the dissemination and manipulation of scientific information. Specifically, he is involved in the Oxford Martin Programme on Misinformation, Science, and Media, a project that investigates the intricate relationship between scientific misinformation, news reporting, and social media platforms in shaping public understanding of science and technological advancements.
Scott earned his doctoral degree from the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018. His doctoral dissertation delved into media coverage and practices concerning the detection of dark matter research collaborations. Through this study, he aimed to gain insights into how information about new scientific research flows through today’s media landscape.
Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Scott obtained a Master of Arts in mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Grinnell College. Additionally, he dedicated his time as a high school chemistry teacher in northern Mozambique while serving in the U.S. Peace Corps.
Scott’s research has been featured in prominent publications such as Communication Theory, Journalism, Journalism Studies, and Science in Context.