Media Psychology Researcher

Jara Kaňková

I study how social media and generative AI shape what we think and do.

Explore my researchGet in touch

About

A short introduction

Hi! I'm Jaroslava Kaňková — though almost everyone knows me simply as Jara. I'm a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Communication, University of Vienna, part of the Advertising & Media Psychology Research Group (AdMe).

I hold a PhD in Communication Science from the University of Vienna, an MSc from the same department, and a bachelor’s in Media and Communication Studies from Charles University in Prague. Alongside research, I teach at the University of Vienna and IES Abroad Vienna.

My doctoral dissertation looked at how social media influencers spread misleading health messaging, and how audiences can be equipped to see through it. Since defending it, my research focus has moved into new territory: how people use and come to trust generative AI.

Outside of research, I usually spend my time taking long walks with my dog, drinking more coffee and Coke Zero than I'd like to admit, and training in combat sports. And in the interest of full disclosure: every piece of work presented on this site, without exception, has been produced with my pug, Gyros, supervising from my lap.

Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Communication, University of Vienna

Research

Publications

  • Binder, A., Stevic, A., Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J. · 2026

    AI on Dating Apps: Links Between Usage Frequency, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, and Willingness to Use AI

    Telematics & Informatics (accepted)

    generative AI

  • Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J. · 2026

    A Dangerous Bond? Identification With Social Media Influencers and the Effects of Mental Health Misinformation and Overgeneralized Messaging

    Media Psychology

    DOI: 10.1080/15213269.2026.2689932

    misinformationinfluencershealth communication
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Stevic, A., Binder, A., & Matthes, J. · 2026

    Time to BeReal! Exploring Users' Well-Being in Relation to BeReal Use Duration

    New Media & Society, 28(5), 2101–2120

    DOI: 10.1177/14614448251317689

    social mediawell-being
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Vranken, S., Matthes, J., Lazić, A., Hodzic, S., Seki, M., Kawano, Y., Ito, A., Sakagami, Y., & Iwakuma, M. · 2026

    Is Generative AI Your New Therapist? A Cross-Cultural Model of Generative AI Affordances, Trust, Use Intentions, and Willingness to Attend In-Person Therapy

    SSM – Mental Health, 9, 100630

    DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2026.100630

    generative AIhealth communicationtrustwell-being
    Read

  • Matthes, J., Reinhardt, A., Hodzic, S., Kaňková, J., Binder, A., Bojic, L., Maindale, H. L., Paraschiv, C., & Ryome, K. · 2026

    Predicting the Intention to Use Generative Artificial Intelligence for Health Information: Comparative Survey Study

    Journal of Medical Internet Research, 28, e75648

    DOI: 10.2196/75648

    generative AIhealth communicationtrust
    Read

  • Matthes, J., Binder, A., Vranken, S., Heiss, R., & Kaňková, J. · 2026

    Should They Really See This? The Depiction of Alcohol in Movies and Series Targeted at Children

    Mass Communication and Society

    DOI: 10.1080/15205436.2025.2610666

    health communication
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J. · 2026

    Think Twice, Scroll Once: Encouraging Critical Reflection as a Shield Against Health Misinformation and Overgeneralized Messaging by Social Media Influencers

    Computers in Human Behavior, 177, 108896

    DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2025.108896

    misinformationinfluencershealth communicationsocial media
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Binder, A., & Matthes, J. · 2025

    It's True, but Still Harmful: Examining the Effects of Overgeneralized Health Messages by Social Media Influencers Using Two Pre-Registered Experiments

    Journal of Health Communication, 30(10–12), 505–521

    DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2025.2566712

    misinformationinfluencershealth communicationsocial media
    Read

  • Reinhardt, A., Matthes, J., Hodzic, S., Kaňková, J., Bojic, L., Maindal, H. T., Paraschiv, C., & Ryom, K. · 2025

    Who Trusts AI for Health Information? A Cross-National Survey on Trust Determinants in Four European Countries

    Health Communication

    DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2025.2601265

    generative AIhealth communicationtrust
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Vranken, S., & Matthes, J. · 2025

    A Double-Edged Sword: Exploring Associations Between Engagement With Mental Health Content by Social Media Influencers and Psychological Well-Being

    Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 19(5), Article 2

    DOI: 10.5817/CP2025-5-2

    influencerswell-beingsocial media
    Read

  • Vranken, S.*, Kaňková, J.*, & Matthes, J. (*shared first-authorship) · 2025

    Artificial Influencers, Artificial Designs? A Systematic Review of Experimental Research on Virtual Influencers

    Telematics & Informatics, 102, 102327

    DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2025.102327

    influencersgenerative AIsocial media
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Binder, A., & Matthes, J. · 2025

    Health-Related Communication of Social Media Influencers: A Scoping Review

    Health Communication, 40(7), 1300–1313

    DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2397268

    influencershealth communicationsocial media
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Binder, A., & Matthes, J. · 2024

    Helpful or Harmful? Navigating the Impact of Social Media Influencers' Health Advice: Insights From Health Expert Content Creators

    BMC Public Health, 24, 3511

    DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-21095-3

    influencershealth communicationsocial media
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., & Boomgaarden, H. G. · 2023

    Mapping the COVID-19 Anti-Vaccination Communities on Facebook in Czechia

    Central European Journal of Communication, 16(2), 186–208

    DOI: 10.51480/1899-5101.16.2(34).548

    misinformationsocial mediavaccination
    Read

  • Kaňková, J., Saumer, M., Neureiter, A., Darovskikh, S., Shargina, E., & Matthes, J. · 2023

    "I Am Young, Why Should I Vaccinate?" How Empathetic and Aggressive Communication on Social Media Impact Young Adults' Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination

    Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1190847

    DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1190847

    vaccinationsocial mediahealth communication
    Read

Presentations

Talks & conferences

20267 talks

  • Feeling Guilty for Asking AI About Your Health? Predictors of GenAI Use Guilt and Health Information Seeking in Austria and Japan

    Kaňková, J., Lazić, A., Vranken, S., Matthes, J., Seki, M., Kawano, Y., Ito, A., Sakagami, Y., & Iwakuma, M.

    AEJMC Annual Convention — Communicating Science, Health, Environment and Risk Division

    New Orleans, LA, USA

  • Beyond Blind Faith: A Theoretical Model of Critical Trust in Generative AI (CRUST)

    Matthes, J., Kaňková, J., Meerson, R., & Binder, A.

    AEJMC Annual Convention — Communication Theory and Methodology Division

    New Orleans, LA, USA

  • What Leads to Trust in Generative AI for Health? Cross-Country Evidence on Playful and Information-Seeking Use

    Matthes, J., Vranken, S., Kaňková, J., Lazić, A., Seki, M., Kawano, Y., Ito, A., Sakagami, Y., & Iwakuma, M.

    9th Health Communication International Conference and PhD Symposium (MHM 2026)

    Beijing, China

  • AI on Dating Apps: Links Between Usage Frequency, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, and Willingness to Use AI

    Binder, A., Stevic, A., Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 76th Annual Conference — Mobile Communication Division

    Cape Town, South Africa

  • Think Twice, Scroll Once: Encouraging Critical Reflection as a Shield Against Health Misinformation and Overgeneralized Messaging by Social Media Influencers

    Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 76th Annual Conference — Health Communication Division

    Cape Town, South Africa

  • A Dangerous Bond? Identification With Social Media Influencers and the Effects of Mental Health Misinformation and Overgeneralized Messaging

    Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 76th Annual Conference — Mass Communication Division

    Cape Town, South Africa

  • Is ChatGPT Your New Therapist? A Cross-Cultural Model of Generative AI Affordances, Trust, Use Intentions, and Willingness to Attend In-Person Therapy

    Kaňková, J., Vranken, S., Matthes, J., Lazić, A., Hodzic, S., Seki, M., Kawano, Y., Ito, A., Sakagami, Y., & Iwakuma, M.

    ICA 76th Annual Conference — Communication & Technology Division

    Cape Town, South Africa

20254 talks

  • Predicting the Intention to Use Generative AI for Health Information: Comparative Survey Model

    Matthes, J., Reinhardt, A., Hodzic, S., Kaňková, J., Binder, A., Bojic, L., Maindale, H. L., Paraschiv, C., & Ryome, K.

    AEJMC Annual Convention — Communicating Science, Health, Environment, and Risk Division

    San Francisco, CA, USA

  • Artificial Influencers, Artificial Designs? A Systematic Review of Experimental Research on Virtual Influencers

    Vranken, S., Kaňková, J., & Matthes, J.

    AEJMC Annual Convention — Communication Theory and Methodology Division

    San Francisco, CA, USA

  • It's True, but Still Harmful: Examining the Effects of Overgeneralized Health Messages by Social Media Influencers

    Kaňková, J., Binder, A., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 75th Annual Conference — Health Communication Division

    Denver, CO, USA

  • A Double-Edged Sword: Exploring Associations Between Engagement With Mental Health Content by Social Media Influencers and Psychological Well-Being

    Kaňková, J., Vranken, S., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 75th Annual Conference — Information Systems Division

    Denver, CO, USA

20243 talks

  • Exploring Dark Side of Social Media Influencers' Health Advice: Insights From Health Expert Content Creators

    Kaňková, J., Binder, A., & Matthes, J.

    AEJMC Annual Convention — Communicating Science, Health, Environment, and Risk Division

    Philadelphia, PA, USA

  • Health-Related Communication of Social Media Influencers: A Scoping Review

    Kaňková, J., Binder, A., & Matthes, J.

    AEJMC Annual Convention — Communicating Science, Health, Environment, and Risk Division

    Philadelphia, PA, USA

  • Time to BeReal! Exploring Users' Well-Being in Relation to the Duration of BeReal Use

    Kaňková, J., Stevic, A., Binder, A., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 74th Annual Conference — Mobile Communication Division

    Gold Coast, Australia

20231 talk

  • Should They Really See This? The Depiction of Alcohol in Movies and Series Targeted at Children

    Matthes, J., Binder, A., Vranken, S., Heiss, R., & Kaňková, J.

    ICA 73rd Annual Conference — Health Communication Division

    Toronto, Canada

20222 talks

  • Nationalistic Media Reporting in the Age of COVID-19: A Comparison of COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage in China, Russia and Czechia

    Kaňková, J., Deng, R., & Shargina, E.

    ECREA 9th European Communication Conference — Journalism Studies Division

    Aarhus, Denmark

  • "I Am Young, Why Should I Vaccinate?" How Empathetic and Aggressive Communication on Social Media Impact Young Adults' Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination

    Kaňková, J., Darovskikh, S., Shargina, E., Saumer, M., Neureiter, A., & Matthes, J.

    ICA 72nd Annual Conference — Health Communication Division

    Paris, France

Media

In the press

  • Vanity Fair · 2026

    A Famous Pug Was Kidnapped in the French Countryside. It Was All a Hoax.

    Interviewed about social media influencers intentionally deceiving their followers, discussing a French influencer's staged pet-kidnapping hoax.

    Read the story

Curriculum Vitae

Education & positions

Download full CV (PDF)

Education

  • PhD (Dr.) in Communication Science

    Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria · 2022–2025

  • Master of Science (MSc) in Communication Science

    Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria · 2020–2022

  • Bachelor (Bc.) in Media and Communication Studies

    Charles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic · 2017–2020

Positions

  • Postdoctoral Researcher

    Department of Communication, Vienna Advertising & Media Psychology Research Group (AdMe) · since 12/2025

  • Lecturer

    IES Abroad Vienna · since 09/2025

  • Visiting Predoctoral Fellow (host: Dr. Nathan Walter)

    The Center of Media Psychology & Social Influence, School of Communication, Northwestern University, USA · 04/2025–06/2025

  • Predoctoral Researcher (supervisor: Prof. Jörg Matthes)

    Department of Communication, Vienna Advertising & Media Psychology Research Group (AdMe) · 12/2022–11/2025

  • Research Assistant

    Department of Communication, Vienna Advertising & Media Psychology Research Group (AdMe) · 07/2022–11/2022

Honors

  • Abby Prestin Dissertation of the Year Award, ICA/NCA Health Communication Divisions

    2026

  • Top Theory Paper Award, AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology Division

    2026

  • Top Method Paper Award, AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology Division

    2025

Funding & recognition

Grants & awards

Grants

  • Too Nice to Be Helpful? Investigating the Effects of Sycophancy of GenAI Tools on Problem-Solving Skills

    Recipient — Postdoctoral Research Fund · Department of Communication, University of Vienna

    2026€2,500

  • Use of Generative AI for Stigmatized Health Topics: Evidence from Four Countries

    Co-PI (PI: Jörg Matthes) · University of Vienna's Health in Society Research Network

    2026€8,000

  • Empowering Health: Use of Generative AI to Enhance Citizen Well-being in Japan and Austria

    Co-PI (PI: Jörg Matthes) · University of Vienna V2K Strategic Partnership Grant for Collaborations with Kyoto University

    2025€8,000

  • Media Literacy in the Age of Generative AI – Comparing Austria and Mongolia

    Co-PI (PI: Jörg Matthes) · Eurasia-Pacific Uninet program of the OeAD-GmbH

    2025€16,000

  • Short-Term Grant Abroad (KWA) — research visit at Northwestern University, USA

    Recipient · University of Vienna

    2024€2,600

Awards

  • Abby Prestin Dissertation of the Year Award — for the dissertation "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility: Misleading Health Messaging by Social Media Influencers – Characteristics, Effects, and Countering Strategies"

    International Communication Association / National Communication Association, Health Communication Divisions

    2026

  • Top Theory Paper Award — for "Beyond Blind Faith: A Theoretical Model of Critical Trust in Generative AI (CRUST)" (as co-author with Jörg Matthes, Rinat Meerson & Alice Binder)

    AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology Division

    2026

  • Top Method Paper Award — for "Artificial Influencers, Artificial Designs? A Systematic Review of Experimental Research on Virtual Influencers" (as co-author with Sofie Vranken & Jörg Matthes)

    AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology Division

    2025

Courses

Teaching

  • UE METH: STADA

    Statistical Data Analysis

    Hands-on exercise course covering statistical data analysis techniques for communication research, using SPSS and R.

    University of Vienna · 2023W, 2024S, 2025S, 2026S

    Undergraduate
  • UE METH: QUANTI

    Quantitative Data Collection

    Exercise course on designing and collecting data using quantitative research methods in communication science.

    University of Vienna · 2023W, 2024S, 2026S

    Undergraduate
  • VIEN-PS 214-01

    Cyberpsychology

    Lecture exploring how digital media shape our identity, relationships, and well-being.

    IES Abroad Vienna · 2025W, 2026S, 2026W

    Undergraduate
  • SE BASE

    Bachelor Seminar

    Seminar guiding students through designing and conducting an independent empirical research project and writing their bachelor's thesis.

    University of Vienna · 2026S, 2026W

    Undergraduate
  • PS FOPRAX

    Research Practice

    Practical seminar applying communication research methods to a hands-on empirical research project.

    University of Vienna · 2024W, 2026W

    Undergraduate

Teaching resources

Podcast

Cyberpsychology Course Podcast

This podcast accompanies the bachelor-level course VIEN-PS 214-01 Cyberpsychology at the IES Vienna, and explores how our digital lives shape who we are and how we connect with each other.

Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple Podcasts

Online Book

STADA Online Book

A companion bookdown resource for the Statistical Data Analysis (STADA) course, walking through key concepts and code.

Open the book

Contact

Let's talk

jaroslava.kankova@univie.ac.at