Who is Matthew Facciani?
Matthew Facciani is a postdoctoral researcher at The University of Notre Dame in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. He is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in neuroscience and psychology and holds a PhD in sociology. His research focuses on media literacy, misinformation, social networks, political polarization, identities, and artificial intelligence. Beyond academia, Matthew is a passionate science communicator, dedicated to making complex social science research accessible to the public. He has written for various media outlets, spoken at national conferences, and hosts Misguided: The Podcast, where he explores how social and psychological forces shape the way we process and consume information. His new book, Misguided: Where Misinformation Starts, How It Spreads, and What to Do About It, was recently published by Columbia University Press. Through his research and public engagement, Matthew strives to bridge the gap between academia and everyday conversations about truth, trust, and media literacy.
Facciani discusses social science research on Psychology Today, his podcast & newsletter, and on Threads and Bluesky.