Bárbara Castillo-Abdul

I hold a PhD in Social and Legal Sciences from King Juan Carlos University and a PhD in Communication from University of Huelva (Spain). I am Associate Professor at the University of Design, Innovation and Technology, where I lead the Innovation and Digital Transformation in Communication Research Group (GITDCom). I also serve as Visiting Researcher at the University of Sharjah.

My research focuses on digital communication, branded content, marketing and advertising strategies, corporate communication, health communication, and media literacy. I examine how technological innovation reshapes communication strategies, audience engagement, and contemporary media ecosystems, as well as the broader societal and organizational implications of digital transformation.

I am a member of international academic networks such as Euro-American Interuniversity Research Network on Media Literacy for Citizenship (ALFAMED), the Ibero-American Association for Teaching Innovation (IDI), and the International Network on Research Education (RISEI).

Before pursuing a full-time academic career, I worked in both the public and private sectors in journalism, corporate communication, digital marketing, advertising, and public relations in several countries. This experience has provided me with an international perspective and a strong understanding of communication dynamics across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.