Yaeli Bloch-Elkon, PhD, is a senior lecturer/associated professor of Communications and Political Science at Bar Ilan University, Israel. She is an associate research scholar at the university’s Begin –Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA), and at Columbia University’s Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy (ISERP) where she is also a member of a research group in the department of Political Science.

Born in NYC, she was educated at Bar Ilan University specializing in Political Studies and Communications (B.A. 1997, Summa Cum Lauda; Professional Diploma in Mass Media and Communications, 1997, Magna Cum Laude; M.A. 1999, Magna Cum Lauda; PhD 2003,Doctoral of Excellence Fellowship), and at Columbia University, NY (Post-Doc fellowship). She served as a Visiting Scholar (2004-2005) and as attending Associate Research Scholar (2006-2007) at Columbia University (CU). Before her studies she served as a Lieutenant in the Intelligence Branch Research Division, IDF (1991-1993).

Dr. Bloch-Elkon has published articles in numerous journals on the topic of media, public opinion and foreign policy, terrorism and counterterrorism, and partisan polarization, and serves as a book and papers' reviewer for professional and academic journals. She received various awards for teaching and research activities, and her co-authored book on Selling Fear: Counterterrorism, Media and Public Opinion, published by Chicago University Press (2011), received great reviews in leading journals and won prestigious prizes from Choice Magazine: 2013 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award, and The 2013 Bruce E. Gronbeck Political Communication Research Award.