David Beyea PhD
Bio
Hello!!! My name is David Beyea, and I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. My academic research revolves around computer-mediated communications, human-technology interactions, immersive media, and games. Specifically, I examine the effects digital environments (i.e., virtual, extended, and mixed realities, the metaverse, and social media) have on interpersonal communication, with an eye on the self-influencing effects of the environments we communicate within. I am also a Co-PI on a National Science Foundation (NSF) future of work grant examining how virtual meeting spaces/platforms can better support well-being and social equity. I have peer-reviewed articles in publications such as the Journal of Media Psychology, Communication Research, and Computers in Human Behavior. As an educator, I have taught classes in Communication Research Methods, Interpersonal Communication, and Social and New Media Technologies.
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Prior to my academic career, I was a journalist and public relations specialist in the U.S. Navy, and I was a community relations officer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. ​

Research
My research primarily examines communication within digital environments, from text-based social media sites to virtual (VR) and extended reality (XR) applications. The root of my research examines how individuals can influence themselves within these digital environments. Additionally, I am extending this research into non-digital environments to examine how self-representation of identity in fictional game worlds (i.e., tabletop role-playing games) may influence the acceptance of misinformation.
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Methodologically, I am primarily a quantitative experimental researcher who focuses on media psychology and applying theory to emerging media environments. However, as recent replication crises within academia have shown, we must be on guard for type I errors in our research as scholars. As such, I also perform meta-analysis so that we can come to a more accurate understanding of the phenomena researched and avoid misinformation via research error and publication bias.