Linnea Laestadius is a public health researcher and educator who studies consumer technologies, online communication, and the commercial determinants of health. She is an Associate Professor at the Zilber College of Public Health at UW-Milwaukee.

More about me.

About.

My work focuses on using qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to understand how consumer and non-medical technologies can support or harm our personal and collective wellbeing. Currently, much of my work engages with how platforms and governments should address social media content promoting health relevant commercial products (particularly as it relates to tobacco and nicotine) and discerning the mental health implications and opportunities presented by AI chatbots.

In the past, I’ve published on topics related to food technology and alternatives to animal product consumption. Finally, I remain engaged in COVID related research and how to better support those with Long COVID. My research and commentary have been featured in news outlets like The Washington Post, Stat+, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Slate, Svenska Dagbladet, and BBC4.

I am the co-founder and co-director of the MYWIT youth advisory board group that focuses on providing teens the opportunity to weigh in on technology and wellness research.

On a more personal note, I grew up splitting my time between Sweden and the U.S. (with a brief interlude in Waterloo, Belgium). After completing my Master of Public Policy at George Washington University, I received my PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.