MediaLab Team Member Successfully Defends Doctoral Thesis on Climate Change, Polarisation, and Disinformation

MediaLab member, Felipe Nuñez has successfully defended his doctoral thesis, El cambio climático como objeto social politizado en la era de la desinformación. Identidades climáticas, ideología y confianza periodística, at the Getafe campus of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). Supervised by Professor Carlos Elías, the thesis was awarded Sobresaliente Cum Laude, the highest distinction available in the Spanish doctoral system, and received the International Mention.

The thesis examines how climate change has become a politically contested social issue in the context of contemporary disinformation, exploring the relationships between climate identities, ideology, and trust in journalism. The doctoral work was highly praised by the examination committee for its strong organisation, methodological rigour, and overall scholarly quality. Notably, one member of the panel highlighted the methodological framework developed in the dissertation as a significant contribution in its own right and suggested that the protocol be published to facilitate its use by other researchers.

Beyond its academic contributions, the research was recognised for its practical relevance to climate governance and public policy. During the defence, Professor Elías underscored the thesis’s potential to inform evidence-based climate communication and policy initiatives, highlighting its capacity to bridge academic research and real-world societal challenges. The work offers valuable insights into the factors shaping public engagement with climate change in an increasingly complex information environment.

The research was supported by funding and resources provided by the Jean Monnet Chair on European Disinformation and the COMSALUD projects being implemented by MediaLab. The successful defence represents an important milestone for both the candidate and the wider MediaLab research community, further strengthening the group's contributions to the study of climate communication, disinformation, and public trust.