Listening is a representational force, a public response to those non-governmental actors and citizens who are now increasingly requesting not only to participate, but also to be listened to.
Listening and representation
I research how governments and institutions listen to online publics, focusing on listening as a political and ethical practice. My work explores how listening shapes democratic representation, particularly in contexts where voice is often marginalised or controlled.
Di Martino, L. (2024). Strategic authenticity in the promotion of a protest action on social media: the case of the School Strike 4 Climate in Sydney. Communication Research and Practice, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/22041451.2024.2417140
Di Martino, L. (2020). The spectrum of listening. In N. Snow & N. J. Cull (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Public Diplomacy (pp. 21-29). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429465543-5
Di Martino, L. (2019). Conceptualising public diplomacy listening on social media. Place Branding And Public Diplomacy, 16(2), 131-142. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-019-00135-5
Media events and soft power
I critically examine how large-scale events and digital platforms are used to project soft power, shape national image and emotionally engage global audiences. This research examines the symbolic and strategic dimensions of public diplomacy in times of crisis and spectacle.
Di Martino, L., & Swiatek, L. (2024). Events-within-events and the online reproduction of their emotional dimensions: a case study of the Dubai 2020 expo. Tourism Recreation Research, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2024.2339073
Swiatek, L., & Di Martino, L. (2023). Large-scale events and soft power: reconfiguration and continuity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In N. J. Chitty, L. Ji, & G. D. Rawnsley (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Soft Power (pp. 285-295). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003189756-22
Di Martino, L., & Swiatek, L. (2023). Online pre-events during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal Of Communication, 17, 1777-1797. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/19631
Di Martino, L. (2021). Fear and empathy in international relations : diplomacy, cyber engagement and Australian foreign policy. Place Branding And Public Diplomacy, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-021-00211-9
Pedagogy, media literacy and digital technologies
I explore how digital technologies and media literacy can be used to foster critical thinking, civic engagement, and socio-technical justice in education. My work combines research and practice to support more inclusive and participatory digital and information environments.
Di Martino, L., & Ford, H. (2024). Navigating uncertainty: public diplomacy vs. AI. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-024-00330-z
Condie, J., Di Martino, L., Hanckel, B., Mallawa Arachchi, T., &
Chitranshi, B., (2024). A pedagogy of digital identities: Identity as a conceptual lens for teaching socio-technical justice. Digital Culture & Education, 15(1), 71-88 Available at:
https://www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/volume-151
Dezuanni, M., Notley, T., & Di Martino, L. (2021). Towards a National Strategy for Media Literacy: National Consultation Report. Retrieved from https://medialiteracy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AMLA-Consultation-Workshop-Report_UPDATE-25-10-2021.pdf.
Luigi Di Martino 