Politics, Crisis and TikTok
Details
This event is held in the theatrette on the ground floor of the Brisbane square library followed by optional drinks at Jimmy's on the Mall. Please bring a gold coin donation to help with the Meetup fee.
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From viral election campaigns to disaster alerts, TikTok is reshaping how power connects with the public. Dr. Susan Grantham will discuss the world of TikTok diplomacy and digital crisis communication, spotlighting how Australian and global leaders utilise short form video with "authenticity", memes, and 60-second videos to sway voters. Through case studies – including election tactics and flood responses – she unpacks how parties craft authentic personas to engage Gen Z voters for influence and disaster management.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Susan Grantham is a lecturer in communication at Griffith University and researcher at the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research. A specialist in social media’s impact on politics and crisis response, she brings 15+ years of strategic communications experience from the Queensland Government. Her research on TikTok’s role in elections (e.g., #TikTokElections) and disaster management has been featured in Media International Australia and Communication Research and Practice. Grantham’s work bridges digital trends, AI implications, and real-world governance challenges.
Politics, Crisis and TikTok