About
Dr. Shaheen Kanthawala research sits at the intersection of health communication and technology, with a focus on how people use digital tools to manage health information, make decisions and support their well-being.
Her scholarship examines the use of health-related technologies such as mobile health apps, social media, online health communities, and internet-based resources. Dr. Kanthawala studies how these platforms influence users’ decision-making processes, behaviors, and health outcomes, contributing to a deeper understanding of digital health engagement.
Impact Beyond the University
More recently, Dr. Kanthawala’s work has expanded to include platform governance and the role of content creators and influencers. Her research explores how platform policies shape the information people encounter and how influencer-driven content affects both creators and audiences. This work addresses pressing questions about access to information, credibility and power in digital environments.
In addition to her research, Dr. Kanthawala serves as Director of the Technology, Culture, and Society Initiative for the Institute for Information and Communication Research (ICIR). In this role, she helps advance interdisciplinary research that examines how technologies intersect with social life, culture and communication.
A Passion for Understanding Digital Media and Health
In the classroom, Dr. Kanthawala encourages students to critically examine the technologies they use every day and to consider their implications for health, society and communication. Her teaching emphasizes analytical thinking, ethical awareness, and the application of research to real-world challenges.
Through research leadership and mentorship, Dr. Kanthawala prepares students to engage thoughtfully with emerging technologies and to contribute to conversations about health communication in an increasingly digital world.