Born and raised in Mexico City, Alejandro “Alex” Hernandez is a doctoral student in the School of Journalism and Media at The University of Texas at Austin. His work and professional experience intersects journalism, media governance, and policy communication. His current research is informed by his professional experience in public/private communication and international policy, including strategic communication work for the City of Austin and prior roles in local government, diplomacy, and global policy organizations. These practices shape his commitment to research that connects academic insight with policy relevance and institutional practice.

A young man with glasses and brown hair, wearing a gray sweater over a striped button-up shirt, smiling with arms crossed outdoors in front of trees and a building with a tower in the background.
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Alex’s current research examines how credibility, authority, and audience trust are reshaped in platform-driven news environments. His projects combine audience experiments, content analyses, and computational methods to examine networked and algorithmic platforms.

In his teaching, Alex emphasizes civic agency rooted in critical thinking and empathy. He has served as a teaching assistant for courses in news literacy, social media journalism, and media studies, and has led graduate-level instruction in statistical analysis. His pedagogical approach prioritizes students’ ability to critically evaluate information systems, interpret data, and understand the societal implications of media technologies.