A PhD candidate at IE Business School, Vaishnavi Kale specialises in consumer psychology and behavioural science. Her primary research interests include brand communication strategies that reduce advertisement avoidance and enhance trust and authenticity. Her work, published in leading peer-reviewed journals, delves into how self-deprecating communication can foster positive consumer responses. She has presented her research at world-class conferences. Using experimental methods and secondary data analysis, Vaishnavi uncovers insights into communication strategies that help brands build genuine connections with consumers.

Isabella Gannon is a junior behavioural analyst at Canvas8. She holds a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin, and there became interested in the relationship between media, identity and visual culture. Outside of work, she’s frequently reading, going to gigs, and navigating obscure corners of wikipedia.