Esther Omemu
Doctoral research fellow, University of Oslo
Esther Omemu is a doctoral researcher specializing in the intersection of media, conflict, and digital technology. She was recognized as the Best Master’s Student in her cohort for her thesis developing the innovative PRDSA Model for data-driven advertising.
Her research is driven by a profound understanding of the media's power in crisis, shaped by firsthand experience during the Boko Haram kidnappings and the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Her research on cyberwarfare and peace journalism has been presented at major international conferences like the ICA and IBIMA.
Esther's current research at the University of Oslo investigates algorithmic bias and narrative amplification on social media during the Russia-Ukraine war. She leverages advanced technical expertise in qualitative methodologies to uncover how algorithms shape global conflict discourse.
Tell us about your project!
In the digital front lines of modern conflict, algorithms now serve as unseen editors, curating the stories of war for a global audience. My research confronts a critical question: can these automated systems ever fairly represent the voices of those caught in the crossfire, or do they silently perpetuate existing biases?
This project investigates how social media algorithms shape, amplify, and silence narratives during the Russia-Ukraine war. By employing a mixed-methods approach, including computational analysis of amplification patterns, cross-platform comparison, and interviews with journalists and civil society actors, it maps the relationship between algorithmic design and narrative distortion. The research ultimately seeks to theorize algorithmic bias in digital conflict zones, contributing to crucial debates on platform governance, informational justice, and the preservation of public trust in a fractured global information landscape.
“ This project investigates how social media algorithms shape, amplify, and silence narratives during the Russia-Ukraine war”
— Esther Omemu on her research project “Algorithmic Bias and Narrative Amplification in Conflict Communication: Comparative Analysis of Social Media Platforms During the Russia-Ukraine War”