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Project title

Posthumanist sociolinguistics and journalistic practices: Reporting on climate change in Irish and German media

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Taighde Eireann Research Ireland (UL)

Lead Applicant

Sarah Josefine Schaefer

Project Abstract

In view of the increasing severity of weather events and unprecedented meteorological extremes, climate journalism aims to inform and warn audiences about climate change and promote ways of mitigating global warming. These efforts have so far, however, shown too little effect, and European broadcasters are frequently criticised for their human-centred coverage and misrepresentations of climate change. Despite this criticism, there is a significant lack of knowledge about the interrelation between anthropocentric discourses and transmodal (i.e. linguistic and semiotic) reporting practices of radio journalists in climate coverage. Through a comparative study of Irish and German radio based on linguistic ethnography and a transmodal analysis of media messages, this project examines how journalists reporting on climate issues try to engage with and inform about the topic of climate protection. In this context, it sheds light on issues that lead to misrepresentations of climate change in Irish and German media to foster a meaningful engagement of journalists with climate change. By developing new approaches for climate-oriented communication based on posthumanist sociolinguistic perspectives, it responds to timely concerns about how humans conceive of their place in socio ecological environments. The project’s results are disseminated through academic publications and outreach activities for media stakeholders.

Grant Approved

€306,984.13

Research Hub

Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

04/11/2025

Initial Projected Completion Date

04/11/2029