Alison Oliver studies media influence and brain plasticity in the context of social and psychological health. She is interested in relationships between media consumption, the sense of agency, and mental health, as well as the social impact of moral messaging in media.
Alison's research interests are driven by the goal of revealing the way our environments, both real and virtual, can directly impact our emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. Ultimately, Alison aims to make the neuroscience of media influence inclusive and accessible to media users and audiences of various backgrounds, such as adolescents and individuals with mental illnesses. She is also interested in how emerging media and technologies can reshape the philosophical and social dynamics surrounding them. Alison's background in neuroscience and philosophy and her research at the Chapman University Brain Institute have contributed to her interdisciplinary approach to communication research. Alison studied neuroscience, philosophy, and theology at the University of San Diego and more recently received her M.S. in Health and Strategic Communication from Chapman University.
M.S. (2024), Chapman University, Health and Strategic Communication
B.A. (2020), University of San Diego, Behavioral Neuroscience