The Real Academia de Doctores de España (Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain) has recognized in the 42th edition of its Premios a la Investigación (Research Awards) to Mónica Bonilla, professor of the degrees of Journalism, Audiovisual Communication, Advertising and Public Relations of the Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO) and will present her with the corresponding award and diploma at the Sesión Solemne de Apertura del Curso 2024 (Solemn Opening Session of the 2024 academic year) on January 24 in Madrid.
Mónica Bonilla’s doctoral thesis, entitled “Inclusion and disability in the digital age: Analysis of the use and impact of social networks from the perspective of education, visibility, and empowerment,” has received the Premio Fundación ONCE (Fundación ONCE Award) from the Real Academia de Doctores de España, which welcomed works on disability, universal accessibility, and improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. A recognition shared with Marta Jiménez García and her work “Estimating keratoconus progression using biometric and biomechanical parameters to adjust treatment protocols for corneal crosslinking.”
These awards are intended for those theses read during the academic year 2022-2023, qualified with outstanding cum laude, which are distinguished, above all, by their scientific excellence and innovative character. The Premios RADE (RADE Awards) aim to promote research and, particularly, to reward the hard work involved in the completion of a doctoral thesis.
“This award fills me with joy and is a very special recognition of the effort I have put into this work. It is important to feel that these lines of research are valued, and it is a source of pride to be awarded by ONCE,” acknowledges Mónica Bonilla once the news is known.
The research
The research findings of Dr. Bonilla, which was presented in the form of a compendium of scientific publications, point to the establishment of social networks as tools that promote diversity and the representation of people with disabilities online, improving user awareness of diversity and promoting opportunities for education and the personal and professional development of the group. In fact, the thesis was awarded the highest grade of Outstanding cum laude and the international mention.
This compendium of publications includes a first case study carried out in a special education center in Cantabria, which analyzes educational experiences for the promotion of the safe and responsible use of the media and social networks by students. The second research gathers the perception of the different educational agents (families, professionals, and users with disabilities) of an occupational center of the Autonomous Community of Madrid on the use, opportunities, barriers, and changes produced by the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to social networks.
In the third and fourth articles, two content analyses are developed on accounts of influencers with intellectual and physical disabilities, respectively, to analyze the uses of social networks by content creators and the collaborations they make with brands. The findings point to the establishment of social networks as tools that promote diversity and representation of people with disabilities online, improving users’ awareness of diversity and promoting opportunities for education, personal. and professional development.