Elliot Panek studies the uses and effects of social media from sociological and psychological perspectives. He is the author of Understanding Reddit, and has published research in top-tier academic journals on the social dynamics of online communities, social media and narcissism, texting while driving, media addiction, and media use and political polarization. His research has been covered by The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Time.com, and The North Korea Times. He is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama, where he directs the master’s program in Journalism & Creative Media, mentors Ph.D. and undergraduate students, and teaches courses on social media, communication research methods, content creation, and film history.