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Matea Mustafaj is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on how narrative entertainment media shape social cognition, beliefs, and psychological well-being. Drawing from media psychology and communication theory, her work investigates the function of stories as simulations that invite audiences to adopt new perspectives, imagine social realities, and reevaluate their beliefs about the world. Mustafaj examines the prosocial potential of media, fostering empathy, reducing prejudice, and supporting well-being, while also exploring how media can reinforce bias and harmful norms. She is particularly interested in the mechanisms of character engagement and narrative structure that contribute to belief change and shifts in worldview. Her research centers on narrative entertainment and explores how various forms of media contribute to meaning-making and emotional processing, helping people understand and relate to society better.
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