Prof. Asoc. Dr. Erlis Çela

Vice Rector for Internationalization, Industry Relations, and Communication

Biography

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erlis Çela is a leading scholar, communication strategist, and institutional leader with over two decades of experience across higher education, media research, journalism, and strategic communication. Since September 2025, he serves as Vice Rector for Internationalization, Industry Relations, and Communication at Western Balkans University, where he leads efforts to expand global partnerships, foster university–industry relations, and strengthen WBU’s academic reputation and public engagement.

Professor Çela holds a PhD in Media Communications and Journalism and the academic title of Associate Professor from the University of Tirana. His academic background includes graduate studies at Marmara University in Istanbul and a fellowship at Ohio University (SUSI 2018), funded by the U.S. State Department. Prior to joining WBU, he served as Head of the Department of Communication Sciences at University College Beder and held executive communication roles in the corporate sector.

He has served as a faculty member at University College Beder and the University of Tirana, teaching a wide range of courses in Communication and Media. His teaching portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate courses such as Communication Theories, Media and Society, Media and Information Literacy, and Political Communication, among others.

His research focuses on media literacy, disinformation, political communication, and the evolving dynamics of digital media. He has published extensively in international journals and led several EU and U.S.-funded projects supporting media education, democratic communication, and journalist safety. He also contributes to European scientific cooperation as a Management Committee member of two COST Actions.

Publications

Çała, E., Tufa, A., & Danglli, M. (2025). Assessing Media and Information Literacy: Scale development and measurement among college students. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 17(1), 89-105. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-2025-17-1-6
Çela, E., & Çipuri, R. (2024). Dynamics of Trust and Use of Sources by Journalists: Analysis on the Impact of Trust on Media Practices. Studime Abanologjike, (2), 7-20.
Camaj, L., Çela, E., & Rexha, G. (2023). The audience logic in election news reporting on Facebook: what drives audience engagement in transitional democracies of Albania and Kosovo? Journal of Information Technology & Politics (Taylor & Francis), 1–16. doi:10.1080/19331681.2023.2227847
Çela, E. (2023). Examining Journalists' Perception of Fake News and their Attitude Toward Debunking Disinformation. Studies in Media and Communication (Redfame Publishing), 11(6), 385–397. doi:10.11114/smc.v11i6.6307
Çela, E., & Pashollari, E. (2023). Exploring Multimedia Content Strategies on Social Media Platforms: The Context of Private Universities in Albania. 35th International Multidisciplinary Conference "Recent Studies and Research". Madrid: Revistia Research and Publishing, 21–34.
Tufa, A., & Çela, E. (2023). Defining Multimedia Journalism: A Systematic Literature Review. Beder Journal of Humanities (Beder University College), 18: 39–60. https://bjh.beder.edu.al/uploads/bjh-18.pdf
Çela, E. (2022). Assessing the risk of fake news: Analysis of changing journalistic behaviors in the use of social media and attitudes towards information verification. In Communication and Media Development in Times of Disinformation and Global Challenges. Tirana: Beder University College, 8–31.
Çela, E. (2022). Platformat dixhitale dhe ndryshimi i rolit të medias si formuese e memories kolektive; Rasti i "kujto.al". In Kujtesa kolektive në letërsi dhe media. Elbasan: Shpresa Print, 72–88.
Çela, E., & Tufa, A. (2021). Edukimi mediatik si strategji për imunizimin e audiencave përballë lajmeve të rreme dhe teorive konspirative. 7th International Conference on Humanities and Law, Perspectives on Covid-19: Challenges, Solutions and Opportunities. Tirana: Kolegji Universitar Beder, 13–39.
Tufa, A., & Çela, E. (2021). Roli i Facebook-ut në individualizimin e komunikimit me publikun nga drejtuesit e institucioneve të pushtetit vendor: Rasti i bashkive. 7th International Conference on Humanities and Law, Perspectives on Covid-19: Challenges, Solutions and Opportunities. Tirana: Kolegji Universitar Beder, 160–181.
Çela, E. (2021). Fake News and Conspiracy Theories During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Empowering Audiences Through Media and Information Literacy. 26th International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies. Ghent: Revista, 230–245.
Çela, E. (2021). Covid-19 in the Media Between Fake News and Conspiracy Theories. Instituti Shqiptar i Medias, Tirana.
Çela, E. (2019). An overview of local media in Albania. Instituti Shqiptar i Medias, Friedrich Ebert-Stiftung, Tirana.
Çela, E. (2017). Analysis of critical approaches on interactive communication enabled by social media. Thesis (Kolegji AAB), 6(3): 19–35. https://rep.thesis-journal.net/handle/123456789/114
Çela, E. (2016). Personalization of political communication, role of social media. Thesis (Kolegji AAB), 6(1): 119–137. PDF
Çela, E. (2016). Local media and their impact on civic engagement through social media. In Challenges of local and regional broadcasters facing online access to their services. Tirana: Beder University College, 152–168.
Çela, E. (2014). Changes in audience behaviour of conventional media toward social media developments: The case of Albania. 3rd International Conference on Humanities Socio-Economic Dimensions of Peace Building, Beder University, May 16–17, Tirana, Albania.
Çela, E. (2015). Social Media as a New Form of Public Sphere. European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research, Vol. 4, No. 1, May–August. ISSN 2411-9563 (Print) / ISSN 2312-8429 (Online).

Education

2024: Associate Professor in Communication and Media Studies. Academic title awarded by University of Tirana, Albania.
2018: Fellowship, Study of the US Institute, Ohio University, USA.
2016: PhD in Communications and Journalism, European University, Tirana, Albania.
2004: Master of Science in Journalism, Faculty of Communication, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.