Personal profile
Research Interests
Across the publications, the researcher advances a cohesive program in political communication, media studies, and social epistemology, combining methodological rigor with critical analysis of digital platforms, public discourse, and governance. The work repeatedly investigates how information is produced, transmitted, and interpreted in contemporary democracies, using mixed methods (including discourse analysis, systematic reviews, case studies, and comparative evaluations) to understand trust, credibility, and the impact of media on public opinion. Several pieces emphasize the rise of digital platforms (TikTok, Twitter, Facebook) as strategic arenas for political communication and branding, while others scrutinize transparency, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations in media governance. Several chapters and studies focus on Latin America, especially Ecuador, examining voter perceptions, media credibility during elections, environmental journalism, and the interplay between traditional and new media in shaping public understanding. The methodological emphasis on bibliometrics, data collection techniques, and epistemological reflection underpins a broad impact on research practice in social communication, political communication, and policy-oriented scholarship. Overall, the author contributes to understanding how digital ecosystems shape political behavior, information dissemination, and governance, with implications for improving communication strategies, media literacy, and evidence-based policymaking in Latin American contexts as well as broader comparative settings.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
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SDG 13 Climate Action
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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International Interdisciplinary Congress of Social Sciences (CIICIS – 2026)
Carrion Galarza, D. F. (Col), Unda Lara, C. R. (Col), Ramirez Soasti, M. D. C. (Col), Alvarez Torres, C. R. (Col), Plaza Trujillo, M. E. (Col), Andrade Martinez, C. M. (Col), Rodas Soto, B. I. (Col), Guarderas Albuja, M. D. L. P. (Col), Uribe Taborda, S. F. (Col), Sanchez Montoya, R. M. (Col), Medranda Morales, N. J. (PI), Aguiar Mariño, N. L. (Col), Falceri, L. (Col), Robles Bykbaev, Z. Y. (Col), Garces Velasquez, L. F. (Col), Torres Toukoumidis, A. L. (Col), Castillo Astudillo, L. M. (Col), Rosero Ortega, R. C. (Col), Escobar Tiban, H. A. (Col), Moreno Andrade, R. E. (Col), Vasquez Astudillo, S. A. (Student), Ramon Pauta, R. E. (Student), Gomez Cadena, I. Y. (Student), Melo Pozo, N. E. (Student), Castellanos Cordova, M. S. (Student), Rivera Rengel, D. (External), Suing Ruiz, A. R. (External), Chavero, P. (External), Escandón, P. (External) & Isabel Ramos, I. R. (External)
1/12/25 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies for the Treatment of Public Information in the Municipalities of Ecuador (Phase 3)
Sanchez Montoya, R. M. (Col) & Medranda Morales, N. J. (PI)
31/03/22 → 3/04/23
Project: Research and Development
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Transparency in Public Information on Extractive Industries in Ecuador (Phase 3)
Ramirez Soasti, M. D. C. (Col), Sanchez Montoya, R. M. (Col), Medranda Morales, N. J. (PI), Aguiar Mariño, N. L. (Col), Steudt, W.-R. (Student) & Cardenas Ortiz, E. N. (Student)
5/03/20 → 5/03/21
Project: Research and Development
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Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies for the Treatment of Public Information in the Municipalities of Ecuador
Sanchez Montoya, R. M. (Col), Medranda Morales, N. J. (PI), Palacios Mieles, V. D. (External), Guzman Caicedo, M. G. (Student) & Yanchatipan Pichamba, L. A. (Student)
5/03/20 → 5/03/21
Project: Research and Development
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Transparency in Public Information on Extractive Industries in Ecuador (Phase 2)
Ramirez Soasti, M. D. C. (Col), Sanchez Montoya, R. M. (Col), Medranda Morales, N. J. (PI), Aguiar Mariño, N. L. (Col), Steudt, W.-R. (Student), Tahmasebi Dominguez, A. H. (Student) & Granada Quizhpe, K. S. (Student)
24/03/19 → 24/03/20
Project: Research and Development
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Video Games and the Creation of Virtual Communities: A Case Study of Mortal Kombat on Reddit
Aguiar Mariño, N., Urdanigo, J. & Sánchez Montoya, R., 2026, Communication and Applied Technologies - Proceedings of ICOMTA 2025. López-López, P. C., Vernier, M., Freundt-Thurne, Ú. & Ibáñez, D. B. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 216-225 10 p. (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies; vol. 458 SIST).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Latin American Presidents on TikTok: Bukele, Lasso, and Maduro
Sanchez-Montoya, R., Ramos Reyes, D., Medranda-Morales, N. & Aguiar Mariño, N., 2024, Communication and Applied Technologies - Proceedings of ICOMTA 2023. Ibáñez, D. B., Castro, L. M., Espinosa, A., Puentes-Rivera, I. & López-López, P. C. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 343-353 11 p. (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies; vol. 375).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Alternative and Traditional Media on Twitter: Ecuador National Strike of 2019
Medranda-Morales, N., Sánchez-Montoya, R. & Palacios Mieles, V., Mar 2023, In: Social Sciences. 12, 3, 122.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Analysis of the Second Presidential Debate in Ecuador 2021: Lasso Vs Arauz
Aguiar Mariño, N. L., Coral Garcia, C. J. & Sanchez Montoya, R. M., 3 Oct 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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Claves de la Investigación en Comunicación (Coordinación)
Aguiar Mariño, N. L., Angulo, N., Almeida, M., Sanchez Montoya, R. M., Medranda Morales, N. J. & Tenorio, L., 20 Dec 2023, Editorial Universitaria Abya-Yala. 423 p.Translated title of the contribution :Keys to Communication Research (Coordination) Research output: Book/Report › Book
Press/Media
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Research on Social Science Reported by a Researcher at Universidad Politecnica Salesiana (Alternative and Traditional Media on Twitter: Ecuador National Strike of 2019)
Sanchez Montoya, R. M. & Medranda Morales, N. J.
16/03/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media