Picture This: Visual framing dynamics of discourse coalitions in Twitter on CRISPR-Cas technology

This dissertation examines the role of visualizations circulating online in policy controversies, focusing on CRISPR-Cas in the European Union, United States, and Mercosur. It asks how visual framing dynamics influence online controversies and policy processes across distinct regulatory contexts. The research uses Twitter data (2015–2019, in English, Spanish and French) of the CRISPR-Cas controversy. The study adopts a mixed methods approach to multimodal framing of highly retweeted posts. Results describes the emergence of multimodal online discourse coalitions (MODCs) as coalitions of actors online actors who reproduce one side of the controversy. It also shows that visualizations operate as sense-making devices, emotional triggers, discursive objects, cultural icons, and representations of norms and values. In the controversy, technocratic framings dominated English and Spanish debates, while French debates connected CRISPR-Cas to GMO and ethical concerns. Overall, this research suggests that visuals are not mere illustrations but central components shaping coalitions, controversies, discourses over regulatory paths, and governance of novel technologies.