Technology and Society

COVID-19 presents many challenges for day-to-day life in the U.S. and around the world. In addition to health impacts, individuals face unprecedented changes in how they live, work, and cope with the stresses of disrupted routines at work and home, and in how they interact with friends and family. However, a wide variety of technologies enable people to create new routines, continue working (in some cases), connect with others, and cope with health risks and rising levels of anxiety and worry. This project investigated what technologies people are using at work and home to manage daily life and to cope with stress. It explores mindful adaptation of technology and technology as a job resource to meet needs resulting from COVID-19 and the positive impacts of mindful tech use on psychological and somatic well-being as well as employment status. Findings also showed differential tech use based on socio-economic status, highlighting some of the inequities during Covid-19.

CASR Lead: Shane Connelly
Email: sconnelly@ou.edu  

Vaccines are essential for global public health. The spread of misinformation about vaccines poses a major threat to progress in public health through the perpetuation of myths and false information about vaccine safety, efficacy, and timing. Misinformation online in social media spaces has contributed to vaccine hesitancy, lower vaccination rates, and the re-emergence of deadly diseases once nearly eradicated. An internal seed grant from the University of Oklahoma’s Office of Vice President for Research and Partnerships (VPRP) will enable initial exploration of the nature and prevalence of misinformation on Twitter in Oklahoma and Texas pertaining to the Covid-19 vaccines.

CASR Lead: Shane Connelly
Email: sconnelly@ou.edu

Read More About Vaccine Information and Disinformation