Jonathan Matusitz, Ph.D., is currently an professor in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on globalization, new media, and public communication campaigns, particularly terrorist campaigns, symbolism and communication in terrorism, the globalization of culture, and health campaigns. His research methodologies include thematic analysis, qualitative interviewing, semiotics, and theoretical analysis. On top of having over 170 academic publications and over 170 conference presentations, he has received multiple faculty and research awards. Dr. Matusitz has already published nine academic books: Terrorism & Communication: A Critical Introduction (Sage, 2013); Symbolism in Terrorism: Motivation, Communication, and Behavior (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015); Online Jihadist Magazines to Promote the Caliphate: Communicative Perspectives (Peter Lang, 2019); Global Jihad in Muslim and non-Muslim Contexts (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020); Female Terrorism in America: Past and Current Perspectives (Routledge, 2020); Communication in Global Jihad (Routledge, 2021); From Child Terrorism to Peace Activism (Springer, 2022); Fundamentals of Public Communication Campaigns (Wiley, 2022); and Jihad in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Digital Media (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024). Jayvyn Dacas is currently a researcher and student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida. An expert on the role of communication and cognition in the metaverse, Jayvyn is a consultant who helps his clients and audiences navigate through the complexities of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). His particular focus are the improvement of users’ presence and interactional capabilities in immersive environments like the metaverse. He has also helped users develop better agency and digital literacy skills over the years. More information is available on his website.
