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Department of Communication and Media Research Science Communication
Gerta Lokaj

Gerta Lokaj, MA

  • Assistentin / Research and Teaching Assistant
Phone
+41 44 635 20 63
Room number
AND 3.08a

Curriculum Vitae

since 05/2025

Doctoral research assistant in the SNF projectScience Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence at the Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), University of Zurich, Switzerland 

2023 - 2025                  

M.A. in Internet & Society at the Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), University of Zurich, Switzerland 

2022 – 2024

Student Research Assistant “Internet Use & Society” Division at the Department of Communication and Media Research (IKMZ), University of Zurich, Advisor: Prof. Dr. Eszter Hargittai 

2019 - 2023

B.A. in Communication and Media Research, Minor: Sociology, University of Zurich, Switzerland 

Research Interest

  • Science communication

  • Social implications of Artificial Intelligence 

  • Digital and AI literacy 

  • Digital inequalities

Conference presentations (peer-reviewed)

  1. Lokaj, G., Liu, X., Lombardi, D., Mahl, D., Volk, S. C., & Schäfer, M. S. (September 2026). Warum nutzen Produzent:innen, Vermittler:innen und Bürger:innen KI in der Wissenschaftskommunikation? Eine vergleichende Analyse mit der Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Presented at the Tagung für Wissenschaftskommunikation, Münster. Best Submission Award (1st Place).  

  2. Lombardi, D., Lokaj, G., Liu, X., Schäfer, M. S., Mahl, D., & Volk, S. C. (September 2026). Different AI Realities? Segmenting Science Communicators, Intermediaries and Audiences Across the Swiss Science Communication Ecosystem. Presented at the 11th European Communication Conference, Brno. 

  3. Liu, X., Lombardi, D., Lokaj, G., Volk, S. C., Schäfer, M. S., & Mahl, D. (September 2026). AI Usage, Perceptions, and Literacy Across Scientists, Communicators, Intermediaries, and Citizens: Mapping the Swiss Science Communication Landscape. Presented at the 11th European Communication Conference, Brno. 

  4. Lokaj, G., Liu, X., Lombardi, D., Mahl, D., Volk, S. C., & Schäfer, M. S. (September 2026). Explaining AI Adoption in Science Communication: A Comparative UTAUT Analysis Across Scientists, Communicators, Intermediaries and Citizens. Presented at the 11th European Communication Conference, Brno. 

  5. Lombardi, D., Lokaj, G., Liu, X., Mahl, D., Schäfer, M. S., Volk, S. C., Metag, J., & Mede, N. (March 2026). Democratizing Science Communication with GenAI? AI Use and Perceptions Across Population Segments. Presented at the 71st Annual Conference of the German Communication Association (DGPuK), Dortmund. 

  6. Lokaj, G., Hargittai, E., & Han, J. (September 2024). Enacted Algorithm Skills: User Strategies for Improving Online Experiences. Presented at the 10th ECREA European Communication Conference, Ljubljana.  
  7. Lokaj, G., Hargittai, E., & Han, J. (April 2024). Enacted Algorithm Skills: User Strategies for Improving Online Experiences. Presented at the 24th Annual Conference of the Swiss Association of Communication and Media Research, Neuchâtel.  
  8. Lokaj, G., Hargittai, E., & Pfeuti, S. (March 2024). User Understanding of YouTube’s Algorithm. Presented at the International Communication Association Regional Conference Human Tech Transition, Warsaw. 

Peer-reviewed articles

  1. Baines, A., Hargittai, E., & Lokaj, G. (2026). Connected and Eager to Learn: Digital Skills, Challenges, and Unmet Needs of Older Adults in Long-Term Care Facilities. Research on Aging, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01640275261478947

Book chapters

  1. Hargittai, E., Lokaj, G., & Hess, L. (2026). Digital inequality in ChatGPT awareness and knowledge. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), Connective AI: Social (ro)bots, play, democracy. Routledge. 

Academic services

Editorial Assistant for the Journal of Quantitative Description: Digital Media (06/2022 – 08/2024)