Michael Scharkow

02/2026

Johannes-Gutenberg University Mainz
Department of Communication
Jakob-Welder-Weg 12
55128 Mainz, Germany

Work experience

  • Full Professor – Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz since 10/2019
  • Full Professor – Zeppelin University 2017‑2019
  • Research Associate – University of Hohenheim 2010‑2017
  • Senior Project Researcher – University of Münster 2012‑2014
  • Visiting Scholar – Ohio State University 04‑05/2012
  • Research Associate – Berlin University of the Arts 2006‑2009
  • Research & Teaching Assistant – Freie Universität Berlin 2001‑2005

Education

  • Dr. phil. – Communication, Berlin University of the Arts 2011
  • M.A. – Communication, Political Science, Sociology, Freie Universität Berlin 2006

Grants

  • Diversity-X: Identifying gender citation gaps in communication research BMBF
    2022-2024, with Sabine Trepte

  • Multilevel flows of political communication on Facebook Fritz Thyssen Foundation
    2020-2023, with Marko Bachl

  • Young Scholars Network: Temporal dynamics and process models in media effects research DFG
    2013-2016, with Jens Vogelgesang

  • EXIST Project: Bayesian Analysis and Reporting Tool - BART BMWT   2008-2009, with Christoph Ehlers, Christoph Meyer zu Kniendorf, Cord Meyer zu Kniendorf, Jens Vogelgesang

Awards & Honors

  • Top Faculty Paper Award, ICA Mobile Communication Division 2023
  • Top Faculty Paper Award, ICA Mass Communication Division 2019
  • CMM Article of the Year, AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology Division 2016
  • Top Faculty Paper Award, ICA Communication and Technology Division 2017
  • Top Faculty Paper Award, ICA Mass Communication Division 2017
  • Best Submission Award, DGPuK Methods Division 2016
  • Top Faculty Paper Award, ICA Game Studies Division 2014
  • Best Submission Award, DGPuK Methods Division 2014
  • DGPuK Journal Article of the Year, DGPuK 2012
  • Best MA thesis, Verein der Freunde der Publizistik e.V. 2007

Service

Panel Member, European Research Council, SH3 Panel (since 2022)

Associate Editor, Journal of Communication (2018-2022)

Vice Chair, Methods Division of the German Communication Association (2014-2016)

Editorial Board Member for Journal of Communication, Communication Measures and Methods, Computational Communication Research, and Media Psychology