Dr. Courtney Tabor

Courtney received her PhD in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Oregon in 2023, focusing on political communication. She previously earned a Research Master's Degree in Communication Science from the University of Amsterdam (2019) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Media/Communication Studies from Florida State University. She has also held various industry positions, including editorial assistant for the journal Political Communication, social media management for a non-profit organization, assistant food stylist, theme park operations, and more. Before coming to VUB, Courtney was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Eastern Oregon University.

Courtney's research has been published in well-regarded journals, and she has been invited to present her work at leading conferences around the world. Using primarily quantitative methodology alongside a critical media effects driven philosophy, Courtney examines the way media, elites, and audiences negotiate power, democracy, and opportunity through political communication. In exploring these relationships, Courtney has primarily focused on local politics and local journalism as avenues for political engagement and knowledge building.

At VUB, Courtney is working on the ERC project "INEQNEWS" led by Prof. Dr. Antonis Kalogeropolous. As a member of the INEQNEWS team, Courtney contributes at various stages in the research process but is particularly focused on survey design and web-tracking of participants in the UK and Brazil. Courtney is also working on several projects related to local politics, fact-checking, and local journalism with co-authors from previous institutions.