Education

B.A., Mass Media, University of Mumbai (India)
M.A., Texas Tech University, Texas

Background

Nikita Sharma is a Ph.D. student at the University of South Carolina, whose work explores the intersections of political communication, health, media and democracy. She studies how public discourse shapes civic engagement and well-being. By examining the ways communication connects institutions, health systems, and everyday social life, her research highlights how democratic participation and public trust are built across different cultural contexts. Sharma is especially committed to making research accessible beyond academia and enjoys translating complex ideas into insights that resonate with wider communities.

Research Interests

health communication, interpersonal and political communication, and the role of AI in news consumption