Maria Popova is a Journalist, a Doctor of Science, a Professor in “Theory of Journalism and Media” in the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication in Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski”. She has graduated from 22 High School “G.S. Rakovski” in Sofia and from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication in Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski” with an MSc in Journalism. She worked in the Bulgarian National Radio, “Culture Weekly,” and “C Weekly”. She is a head of the Master's programme “Lifestyle Journalism,” and she is a head of profile specialisation “Culture” in the Bachelor programme “Journalism”. She is an author of the books “The Virtual Man” (2005, 2012, 2021), “Introduction to the Journalism Theory” (2012, 2021), “Theoretical Aspects of Media” (2014), “The Media Man” (2019), “Audience and Journalism. Social and Communications Changes in the Behaviour of the Audience and the Types of Journalism” (2023,  St. Kliment Ohridski University Press), “Media Functions and Media Effects” (2025, St. Kliment Ohridski University Press). She is a co-author of the books “Reforms and Social Change” (2016), “The Media in Europe” (2012), “The Words of Media Transition” (2010), “The Digital Media” (2012), “The Journalistic Profession. Status and Dynamics in Bulgaria” (2010-2011), and she is a co-editor of the collective books “Journalists in Theory, Journalists in Practice” (2007-2011). She is an editorial board member of the scientific online journal “New Media 21” (www.newmedia21.eu), a member of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists and the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria. Her research interests are in journalism, media, media theory, journalism theory, audience studies, internet theory, and art journalism.