Dr. Seraina Tarnutzer, communication scholar
I am an early postdoctoral researcher (Oberassistentin) in media and communication sciences (particularly passionate about all things visual!) at the Institute of Digital Communication and Media Innovation (IDCMI), University of Fribourg (CH), in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (CH), since June 2024, working with Prof. Dr. Sina Blassnig. Also, I serve as a mid-level representative at IDCMI and as the speaker for the Visual Communication section of the German Association for Journalism and Communication Studies (DGPuK). I am also a member of DGPuK, the International Communication Association (ICA), and the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA).
I hold a doctorate in Communication Sciences (summa cum laude) from the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), completed in November 2023 and supervised by Prof. Dr. Katharina Lobinger (USI). My cumulative dissertation entitled “Through the Lens of Change: The Role of Visuals in Turning Points of Couple relationships” analyzed the role of visuals (i.e., photos, images, videos, gifs, etc.) in turning points (i.e., moments of change, e.g., COVID-19), in couple relationships in Switzerland through a multi-method approach. The research provides insights into how contemporary couples navigate nonlinear relationship trajectories in and through visual media on a micro-level of highly mediatized and visualized societies. For learning more about my dissertation, see the dissertation abstract provided below.
I completed my Master’s and Bachelor’s in Media Studies (major) and Art History (minor) at the University of Basel (CH; insigni cum laude).
In the past years, my passion has been visual communication research, multilingual research, as well as interpersonal communication (i.e., the role of visuals in couple relationships and close friends in Switzerland). Also, I’ve worked in projects on journalism in Switzerland (e.g., public service media and young audiences, how Swiss News sites and international Social Media platforms handle hate speech). Currently, I’m continuing research on visual communication (of course!), while going more into the direction of visual journalism also, joining forces with Prof. Dr. Sina Blassnig’s areas of expertise. For more detailed information on current and past research projects, publications, etc., see Research.
Furthermore, I’m much invested also in teaching, being eager to provide research-informed, interactive, and practice-oriented classes and courses. Currently, I’m teaching in the Joint Master “Digital Communication & Creative Media Production” of the University of Fribourg and the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. See Teaching for more information on all things teaching.
Beyond my research work, I serve as treasurer in the association “AcroBasel” (partner acrobatics) since February 2020, and filled in as interim president from September to December 2024. Also, as of October 2024, I am a certified handbalancing coach. These activities have taught me, among many other things, the value and importance of occasionally changing perspective! :)
Dissertation abstract: Through the Lens of Change: The Role of Visuals in Turning Points of Couple Relationships
Couple relationships have diversified in recent years (e.g., consensual, married, or living apart-couples), proceeding increasingly in nonlinear ways, rather than following a linear pattern of intensifying and de-intensifying stages (Kellas et al., 2008; Linke, 2010). They are not only increasingly mediatized but are also highly visualized nowadays, meaning that media and communication technologies, as well as visuals (e.g., photographs, videos, gifs, etc.) and visual communication, are integral components of how we “do” couple relationships today (Hand, 2012; Lobinger et al., 2021). However, despite the eminent importance of visuals, neither turning point research nor communication research has sufficiently considered visuals as important components of relationship turning points. The findings from turning point research and visual communication research have remained largely disconnected – a gap that this dissertation aims to narrow by bridging turning point research and visual communication research, and exploring the role of visuals in turning points of couple relationships. Focusing on couple relationships is particularly important because couples, as the smallest form of personal relationships, are the very heart of society (Berrut et al., 2019). Utilizing a multi-method approach, this cumulative dissertation draws insights from one methodological and three empirical studies, employing qualitative pair and individual interviews, expert interviews, online surveys, and video-call interviews, along with creative visual methods such as network drawings and visual elicitation (Lobinger, 2016a; Lobinger & Mengis, 2019; Pauwels, 2011). This research provides insights into how contemporary couple relationships are maintained and develop, as well as which role media and communication technologies and the visual in particular plays in relationship crossroads and how couples navigate nonlinear relationship trajectories in and through visual media on a micro-level. Ultimately, this dissertation lays groundwork for understanding how contemporary social life “works,” and sheds light on how people in highly mediatized and visualized societies navigate the decision to stay socially connected and together.
References
Berrut, S., Mosimann, A., & Maroussia, N.-F. (2019). Erhebung zu Familien und Generationen 2018. Erste Ergebnisse (Statistik der Schweiz, pp. 1–32) [Erhebung]. Bundesamt für Statistik BFS.
Hand, M. (2012). Ubiquitous photography. Polity.
Kellas, J. K., Bean, D., Cunningham, C., & Ka Yun Cheng. (2008). The ex-files: Trajectories, turning points, and adjustment in the development of post-dissolutional relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(1), 23–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407507086804
Linke, C. (2010). Medien im Alltag von Paaren. Eine Studie zur Mediatisierung der Kommunikation in Paarbeziehungen. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.
Lobinger, K., Venema, R., Tarnutzer, S., & Lucchesi, F. (2021). What is visual intimacy? Mapping a complex phenomenon. MedieKultur: Journal of Media and Communication Research, 37(70), 151–176. https://doi.org/10.7146/mediekultur.v37i70.119750
Want to know more about my dissertation?