Bio

Alice Cheng (Ph.D., MBA) received a Ph.D. degree from the Missouri School of Journalism, which is one of the oldest formal journalism schools in the world. She also graduated with an outstanding academic award from the nationally recognized Crosby MBA program. She is also the founder and director of the AI for Communication Hub, where she leads interdisciplinary initiatives that integrate AI, strategic communication, and social science to advance AI literacy, research, and real-world applications.

Dr. Cheng is a full professor in the Department of Communication and an adjunct professor in the Poole College of Management at NCSU, as well as an associate editor for the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management. She has taught many courses, such as strategic management, research methods, the introduction of public relations, and crisis communication. She has demonstrated a long-term commitment to research involving global public relations management, social media, and artificial intelligence, and crisis communication. She has published more than 160 journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. Some of her publications have appeared in top journals such as The New Media & Society, American Behavioral Scientist, Social Science Computer Review, Computers in Human Behavior, Journal of Public Relations Research, Journal of Product & Brand Management, Telematics and Informatics, Mass Communication & Society, International Journal of Communication, Public Relations Review, and Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management. Recently, Dr. Cheng co-edited a book about AI and strategic communication and she has extensively served as a guest speaker or keynote speaker for international institutions such as U of Technology Sydney, MIT, Peking University, Fudan U, Zhejiang U, Vienna University of Economics and Business, and IULM University in Italy. Dr. Cheng has achieved global reach and influence, with recognition as one of Stanford University’s Top 2% Most Cited Scientists. For the past several years, she has been ranked among the Top 1% of scholars in Communication & Media Studies worldwide. She has also been recognized as a top five contributor to crisis communication research in Public Relations Review, reflecting her major impact on the field over the past two decades.

Acting as the Principal Investigator (PI) or senior researcher, her research has been funded by many global prestigious institutions (more than 2 million), such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Humanities Center (NEH), Arthur Page Center (USA), Caterpiller Foundation ($86,500), North Carolina State University (USA), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong). Especially, the Arthur Page Johnson Legacy Scholar Grant is awarded to support scholars and professionals making important contributions to knowledge, practice, or public understanding of ethics and responsibility in public communication. The funded study that examines mobile CSR activities in crises has been accepted in the 68th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (2018) and won the Top Faculty Paper Award. In addition to her research leadership, she has been selected for the 2026 Scripps Howard Leadership Academy. Through her scholarship, leadership, and the AI for Communication Hub, Dr. Cheng continues to shape the future of AI literacy, ethical communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration at both national and global levels.

Her research has been internationally and domestically recognized via various awards, for its originality, quality, and productivity. The received honors and awards included the University Faculty Scholar (2023-2024), Top Faculty Paper (Open competition), Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 2024; the Best Paper Award, Public Relations Division, International Communication Association Conference, 2013, 2014, and 2018; Top Paper Award in Mass Communication Division in 2014 and 2016, awarded by the International Communication Association Conference; Grunig PRIME Research Fellowship from Institute of Public Relations and PRIME research in 2015; and Peter Debreceny Corporate Award in the 18th International Public Relations Research Conference in 2015. Additionally, She has received the Hong Kong Government Reaching Out Award and the extremely competitive Extraordinary Potential Prize of the 2016 Chinese Government Award.

Due to her expertise in Communication, especially in AI and public relations, she serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, and Public Relations Inquiry.  Currently, she is an associate editor of the Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management and an advisory committee member for the International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC). She has edited multiple special issues from prestigious journals such as Internet Research, Journal of Communication Management, and Public Relations Review.

Teaching and Research Interests

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Public Relations, Quantitative Methods, Crisis Communication, Relationship Management

Projects

Chatbot and Artificial Intelligence (AI); Ethics and AI; Crisis and Public Emergencies; Digital Mental Health Messages;  Social Media Influencer and trust relationships

Funded Research and Teaching Projects since 2022

• AI Impact CHASS. Faculty Innovation Teaching fund ($3,500), PI, 2025-2026.
• Enhancing quantitative research methods. Alt-Textbook Grant ($1,500), PI, 2025-2026.
• “Bridging Cultural Differences: AI Chatbots as a Tool for Mental Health Support among International Students at CHASS”. CHASS Mini Grant. Awarded ($2,000), 2025-2026.
• “AI Communication, futures, sustainabilities”. University faculty fellow program, Awarded ($3,000), 2025-2026
• Building LLM Agents for Large Environmental Dataset Analysis. DSA Seed grant, Awarded ($30,000), 2024-2025
• “Deepfaking and misinformation in the age of AI”. DSA Seed grant, Awarded ($35,000), 2024-2025
• “Embedding AI in Society Ethically (EASE) Center”, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH),Co-PI, Awarded (750,000), 2025-2028
• “Course Improvement DELTA Grant: Improving quantitative research methods”, NC State Delta, PI, Awarded: ($8,000), 2024-2025
• “Harnessing AI for Ethical Strategic Communication: An International Collaboration”NC State Global International Seed Grant, Awarded ($5,000), 2024-2025
• “Addressing Disparities in Data‐Driven Decision Making Education (ADD ME): Enhancing Representativeness of Minorities and Women in Business Analytics”. Caterpillar Foundation, Awarded: $86,500, 2024-2027.
• “Ethical Integration in AI for Crisis Communication: An International Project in the U.S. and European Countries,” Arthur Page Center Legacy Grant, 2024-2025.
• “Using chatbots for the mental health of well-beings,” CHASS Diversity Grant, Awarded ($1,000), North Carolina State University, 2023-2024.
• “Research collaboration and studying abroad program”, Global Supplemental Fund, 2023-2024.
• “Debunking misinformation using bots,” Research reboot fund, North Carolina State University, 2023-2024.
• “Combating Anti-Asian Racism,” CHASS Diversity Grant, Awarded ($3,000), North Carolina State University, 2022-2023.
• “Improving Quantitative research methods,” Awarded ($4,000), North Carolina State University, 2022-2023.
• “Improving the Teaching of Public Relations,” Awarded ($2,000), North Carolina State University, 2022-2023.
• “Enhance Global engagement of post-COVID-19 Communication”, Awarded ($2,000), North Carolina State University, 2021-2022.
• “Design of Teaching Tools,” Awarded ($2,000), North Carolina State University, 2021-2022.
• “The Impact of AI-Powered Chatbots to Combat COVID-19 Misinformation: An Exploratory Study,” Faculty Research and Professional Development (FRPD), North Carolina State University, 2022-2023.
• “Coping with COVID-19: A Perspective of Consumers in the U.S. Marketplace (evidence with data from a national consumer sample)”, North Carolina State University, Non-laboratory Scholarship/Research Support Program (NSRP) 2020-2021.
• “The Stigmatizing Media Portrayal of COVID-19 and its Effects on Asians in America”, Research Award, North Carolina State University, Mentor of undergraduates.

Extension and Community Engagement

• Guest speaker (invited).  AI in strategic communication and public relations. Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA, Jan 29, 2025
• Guest speaker (invited). Corporate communication and AI ethics. Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria, March 18th
• Guest speaker (invited). Corporate communication and AI. The IULM University, Milan, March 5^th
• Guest speaker. Technical Meeting on Public Communication in Emergencies: Tackling Misinformation and Retaining Public Trust in Disruptive Information Environments, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna. Austria, June 23-27, 2025
• Keynote speaker. AI tools for research and application for academic publications, Peking University, Beijing, May 2024.
• Keynote speaker. Artificial intelligence and strategic crisis communication: Challenges and opportunities, Fudan University, Shanghai, May 2024.
• Guest speaker. AI and communication, 6th and 7th grade, West McDowell Middle School, Sept 24, 2024
• Guest speaker. AI and communication, 1^st and 2^nd year, Roanoke Rapids Early College High School, Oct 17 & 18, 2024
• Guest speaker. Workplace culture and communication, Yadkin County Schools, Oct 9, 2024
• Guest speaker. AI and communication, FernLeaf Community Charter School, Sept 19, 2024
• Guest speaker. AI-powered chatbots and crisis communication, Xian jiaotong University, Xian, July 2023
• Guest Speaker to “AI and Social Media Listening”, University of South Carolina,  SC.  March, 2024
• Guest speaker. Design Thinking Panel: Engineering with Empathy; Designing for Humans, Inaugural Deep Learning in Business Forum Cambridge / MIT (October 7, 2022).
• Keynote speaker. AI and Crisis Communication. Research Seminar, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, June 2023
• Keynote speaker. Theorizing Chinese Stories in a Global Context: Using Contingent Organization-Public Relationships (COPR) as an Example. The 14th International Public Relations Annual Conference in China, Virtual.
• Keynote speaker. How to publish in the SSCI journals. Academic forum of Xijing University, Virtual.
• Guest speaker. AI, mental health, and Crisis Communication. Zoo Phys seminar, University of Wyoming
• Keynote speaker. Contingency theory and contingent organization-public relationships. Theory and Practice of Public Relations in 2U program, Syracuse University, 2021
• Guest Speaker to “Public Relations Research”, University of San Francisco,  CA.  October, 2018
• Keynote Speaker to “East Asia: Traditions, Trends and Transformations” World View, University of Carolina Chapel Hill. 3:00 – 3:50 p. m, Chapel Hill, NC, March, 2018

Publications since 2022

Book Projects:

Cheng, Y., & Vercic, D. (2025). AI and strategic communication, Wiley. DOI:10.1002/9781394275434

Refereed Journal articles 

• +Li, J., Cheng, Y., Xie, Q., & Xiao, Y. (2026). Building a contextual readiness model for AI-triggered crises: Global lessons from algorithmic exploitation in China’s food-delivery platforms. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 0, e70157. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.70157
• Jiang, N., Cheng, Y., Wang, Y. (2026). Humanlike AI for corporate social responsibility communication: How perceived anthropomorphism shapes stakeholder acceptance of chatbots, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70494
• Chen, C., Sun, Y., Hua, P., & Cheng, Y. (2026). Is AI agreement reassuring? It depends on what patients believe about AI. In Proceedings of the 59th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 2026) (pp. 3555–3564). IEEE. https://hdl.handle.net/10125/111822
• Xiao, A., & Cheng, Y. (2025). Responding to Online Hoaxes: The Role of Contextual Priming, Crisis Narrative Type and Communication Strategy. Mediascapes Journal, 26(2), 145–169. Retrieved from https://rosa.uniroma1.it/rosa03/mediascapes/article/view/19262
• Li, L., Zhou, J., & Cheng, Y. (2025). Bridging AI ethics between communication and computer science: A care ethics approach to foster organization-public relationships, 1-23, Journal of Information, Communication & Ethics in Society, 1-23, https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-03-2025-0069
• +Cheng, Y., Li, J-Z., Lee, J., & Liu, X-D. (2025). How is Artificial Intelligence Shaping Crisis Communication? A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda. Journal of Risk Research, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2025.2579317
• +Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Huang, W., & Liz, R. (2025). Building Corporate Reputation Resilience in Crises: Exploring the Role of Employees’ CSR Engagement in China. International Journal of Business Communication.
• Cheng, Y., Zhu, Y.-C., & Golan, G. (2025). The impact of corporate social responsibility on consumers’ promotion behavior: Examining first-person effects and the influence of presumed influence on others. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15353966
• Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2025). Leveraging artificial intelligence–powered chatbots for nonprofit organizations: Examining the antecedents and outcomes of chatbot trust and social media engagement, Journal of Philanthropy, 30, e70013. https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.70013
• Jiang, Y-Z., Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2025). Leveraging AI in CSR: How social-oriented chatbots influence Chinese consumers’ supportive actions via dialogic communication, 51(1), 1-13, Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2025.102541
• Ertem-Eray, T., & Cheng, Y., (2025). A review of artificial intelligence research in peer-reviewed communication, Applied Sciences, 15(3), 1058, https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031058 [Featured article]
• Cheng, Y. (2024). Navigating Vaccine Misinformation: A Study on Users’ Motivations, Active Communicative Action, and Anti-misinformation Behavior via Chatbots. Online Information Review. 10.1108/OIR-07-2024-0425
• Lan, X.-M., Zhang, T.-D., Cheng, Y., & Spiro, K. (2024). Evaluating state-led social mobilization in public health crises: Agenda dynamics in China’s COVID-19 response. Asian Journal of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2024.2434231
• +Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., & Lee, J. (2024). Using a chatbot to combat misinformation: Exploring gratifications, chatbot satisfaction and engagement, and relationship quality, International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2344149
• Park, K-Y., Cheng, Y., Jiang, H., & Y-J, Luo. (2024). Employee engagement with corporate social responsibility (CSR) during the COVID-19 pandemic: Ethical judgments and the path to positive word-of-mouth, Journal of Public Relations Research. 
• Dong, C., Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., & Sazhina, O.(2024). To leave or stay during the COVID-19 crisis: Exploring the impacts of CSR motives on employee distrust and turnover intentions, Journal of Public Relations Research.
• Lee, Y-I, Cheng, Y., & Zhao, W. (2024). Seeking professional help in health crises: The impact of cognitive factors, discrete emotions, and eHealth information seeking on mental health communication, Journal of Health Psychology.
• +Han, W., Lee, H., Xu, Y. & Cheng, Y. (2024). Impacts of the COVID-19 infodemic on emotions through cognitive appraisals, Online Information Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-12-2023-0616
• +Zhao, X., Cheng, Y., Lee, J., & Shaw, J. (2024). Situating Deep Learning in a Relating Management Approach: Examining the Dynamics and Outcomes of Contingent Organization-Public Relationships (COPRs) in Crisis. Public Relations Review.
• +Cheng, Y., Jin, W. et al. (2024). Managing contingent relationships with customers: Examining MNC’s social media crises in mainland China. Business Horizon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2024.11.002
• Di Domenico, G…& Cheng, Y. (2023). The social, ethical, economic, and political implications of misinformation. Internet Research. 33(5), pp. 1665-1669. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-10-2023-947
• Chen, Z., & Cheng, Y. (2023). The diffusion process of product-harm misinformation on social media: Evidence from consumers and insights from communication professionals. Internet Research.
• Zhao, W., Cheng, Y., Lee, Y (2023). Exploring 360-degree virtual reality videos for CSR communication: An integrated model of perceived control, telepresence, and consumer behavioral intentions. Computers in Human Behavior, 144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107736
• +Chen, X-C., Wang, Y-D., Cheng, Y. (2022). Does artificial intelligence satisfy you? A meta-analysis of gratifications and user experience of AI-powered chatbots. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. Doi: 10.1080/10447318.2022.2121458
• +Chen, X-C., Liu, P-Y., Cheng, Y. (2023). Praxis, Hashtag Activism, and Social Justice: A Content Analysis of the #StopAsianHate Narrative. Asian Journal of Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2023.2180529 [Equal authorship].
• Dong, C-Q., Song, B-B., & Cheng, Y. (2023). Tracking CSR Communication Research within the Chinese Context: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Business Communication.
• Chen, Y-R., & Hung-Baesecke, F, C-j. & Cheng, Y., (2023). When non-CSR-themed social media influencers endorse branded CSR initiatives: Effects of consumers’ perceived influencer characteristics and leadership. Public Relations Review [Equal authorship].
• +Cheng, Y., Wang, Y. & Pan, F-H. (2022). The Impact of CSR Perceptions on Employees’ Turnover Intention during the COVID-19 Crisis in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
• Wang, Y., Cheng, Y., & Gonzenbach, W. (2022). Toward an employee communication mediation model: Exploring the effects of social media engagement on employee–organization relationships and advocacy. International Journal of Communication.
• +Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Zhao, W., Zhang, K. J., Cai, X-Y., & Jiang, H. (2022). Virtually enhancing public engagement during the pandemic: Measuring the impact of virtual reality powered immersive videos on CSR communication, Social Science Computer Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/08944393221111482
• Jhala, A., Cheng, Y. et al. (2022). A digital communication twin for addressing misinformation: Vision, challenges, opportunities, IEEE Internet Computing, 26(2), pp. 36-41, doi: 10.1109/MIC.2021.3129547.
• Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., & Zhao, W. (2022). Shared virtual reality experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the gratifications and effects of engagement with immersive videos. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19(9), 5056, doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095056
• Jiang, H., Cheng, Y., Park, K-Y., Gao, S. B. (2022). AI-powered chatbot communication with customers: Dialogic interactions, satisfaction, engagement, and customer behavior. Computers in Human Behavior, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107329
• +Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., & Kong, Y-Q. (2022). The state of social-mediated crisis communication research through the lens of global scholars: An updated assessment. Public Relations Review, 48(2), 1-11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102172
• +Cheng, Y. & Fisk, A. (2022). Contingency theory informs relationship management: Exploring the contingent organization-public relationships (COPR) in a crisis of mainland China. Public Relations Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102178
• Jiang, H., Cheng, Y., Park, K-Y., Zhu, W. (2022). Linking CSR communication to corporate reputation: Understanding hypocrisy, employees’ social media engagement and CSR-related work engagement. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042359

Chapters in Refereed Edited Books

• Cheng, Y., (2026). Attribution in organizational and professional settings. Attribution Handbook, In Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Cheng, Y., Liu, X-Y., Yang, M-G. (2025). AI in Social Media Crisis Communication:   An Overview and Application. Social Media and Crisis Communication, Routledge.
• He, W-J., & Cheng, Y. (2025). Crisis management in social media in Greater China.    Handbook of Public Relations in Asia: Theory, Method, and Practice, Routledge.
• Cheng, Y., & He, W-J., Li, J-Z. (2025). An updated review of social media and crisis communication in China. Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change, Springer Nature.
• Jiang, N., Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2025). Strategic communication for AI: How strategic communication makes AI socially accepted. In AI and strategic communication: Navigating the future. Wiley.
• Cheng, Y., He, W.-J., & Qiao, J.-Z. (2025). Embracing the future of AI in strategic communication: Impacts at the individual, professional, organizational, and societal levels. In AI and strategic communication: Navigating the future. Wiley.
• Cheng, Y., & Vercic, D. (2025). Introduction: AI and strategic communication. In AI and strategic communication: Navigating the future. Wiley.
• Hung, F., & Cheng, Y. etc. (2025). Corporate communication in the age of AI. In Ngai, Cindy and Francois Coooren, AI Communication and Organization, Routledge
• Hilty, D.M., Cheng, Y., Luxton, D.D. (2024). Artificial intelligence and predictive modeling in mental health. In: Mucić, D., Hilty, D.M. (eds) Digital Mental Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-59936-1_13
• +Cheng, Y., Yang, M-G., Chen, L. (2025). Brands and artificial intelligence, In Daniela Andreini and Lia Zarantonello, SAGE Handbook of Brand Management, Sage.
• +Cheng, Y., Lee, J. C., & Qiao, J. (2025). Crisis communication in the age of AI: Navigating opportunities, challenges, and future horizons. In W. T. Coombs (Ed.), Media and crisis communication (pp. 172-194). Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781032619187-9
• +Cheng, Y., He, Y-Z., & Jin, W-K. (2025). Traversing Social Media Storms in the Luxury, In Duncan Koerber (eds.). The Culture of the Social Media Crisis: Causes, Impact, Consequences, University of Toronto Press.
• +Cheng, Y., Liu, P-Y., & Burnette, C. (2023). Dealing with Employees in Crises: Examining Contingent Organization–Public Relationships (COPR) for Internal Communication. In Lin, M-J., Jiang, H., & Shen, H. M (eds.). Internal Communication and employee engagement, Routledge.
• Chen, Y-R., & Hung, F., & Cheng, Y. (2024). Public Relations Theory Emerged in the Chinese Social Context. In Carol Botan (eds.). Public Relations Theories III.Routledge.
• Cheng, Y., Xie, C-X. & Wang, Y-D. Jiang, H. (2023). Chatbots and health: Mental health. In Evelyn Ho, Carma Bylund, Julia van Weert, Iccha Basnyat, Nadine Bol, and Marleah Dean. (eds.), The International Encyclopedia of Health Communication. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Cheng, Y., Chen, Z. F. (2023). The influence of presumed fake news influence: Examining public support for corporate corrective response, media literacy interventions, and governmental regulation, In Donnalyn Pompper. (eds.), What IS News?. Routledge.
• ⁺Cheng, Y., Spruill, T., & Dalton, C. (2022). Social mediated crisis communication in a global context, In Lucinda Austin and Yan Jin. (eds.), Social Media and Crisis Communication. Routledge. (2^nd eds.). Doi: 10.4324/9781003043409-1
• Cheng, Y., & Cameron, G.T. (2022). Contingent organization–public relationships and their application in organizational crises. In The Handbook of Crisis Communication (eds W.T. Coombs and S.J. Holladay). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119678953.ch8

+ denotes the collaboration with students

Refereed Online Publications

• Verčič, D., Selaković, M., Hung-Baesecke, F., Cheng, Y., Tkalac Verčič, A., Ljepava, N., & Stavreva, S. (2025, Jan). Ethical standards and guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in public relations and strategic communication. International Public Relations Association.
• Shen, H-M., & Cheng, Y. (2020). Authenticity and ethics: Implications for internal crisis management. Retrieved from https://instituteforpr.org/authenticity-and-ethics-implications-for-internal-crisis-management/
• Chen, Y-R., Cheng, Y., Hung-Baesecke, R., Jin, Y. (2019). How stakeholders react to mobile-enhanced corporate disaster relief efforts. Retrieved from https://instituteforpr.org/using-mobile-enhanced-csr-to-engage-international-publics-how-stakeholders-react-to-corporate-disaster-relief-efforts/
• Shen, H-M., & Cheng, Y. (2019). Dialogic strategies in a crisis: Ramifications of internal communication on external audiences. Retrieved from https://instituteforpr.org/dialogic-strategies-in-a-crisis-ramifications-of-internal-communication-on-external-audiences/

Presentations

• Cheng, Y. (2025). How is Artificial Intelligence Shaping Crisis Communication?A Systematic Review of Interdisciplinary Research, The 32nd edition of International Public Relations Research Symposium (BledCom), June 27 – 28, Lake Bled, Slovenia.
• Cheng, Y. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Public Relations: Revolutionizing Strategic communication and redefining Engagement. Panel discussion (Virtual) of the Broadcast Education Association (BEA)’s 70th Annual Convention, April 5-8, 2025.
• Cheng, Y. (2025, invited presentation). Enhancing trust in the digital age: The role of chatbots in addressing misinformation and fostering user engagement. Paper to be presented in the Global Strategic Communication Consortium’s 2025 Conclave, Italy, May 11-13, 2025.
• Cheng, Y., Golan, G., & Zhu, Y-C. (2025). Promoting Delta’s breast cancer campaign: Examining the influence of presumed influence of CSR messages and the first-person effects. Paper presented at the 75^th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, Denvor, USA. 
• Cheng, Y., Jiang, N., & Zhang, Q-Z. (2025). Navigating ethical waters: The impact of ethical judgment, norms, and CSR skepticism on CSR engagement and purchasing behavior in a breast cancer campaign. Paper presented at the 75^th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, Denvor, USA.
• Chen, C., Xu, Q., Jiang, J., & Cheng, Y. (2025, March 13-15). Understanding college students’ AI adoption intention: A perspective of interactive communication technology adoption model. Paper presented at the 50th AEJMC Southeast Colloquium, Chapel Hill, NC.
• Cheng, Y. (2024). The Role of AI in Crisis Communication: Leveraging Technology for Effective Response, Paper to be presented in the AEJMC Conference, Virtual.
• Cheng, Y. (2024, invited presentation). Public Relations Campaign Assignment: Making Mental Health a Priority. Paper to be presented in the Annual AEJMC Conference, Virtual.
• Cheng, Y. (2024, invited presentation). AI and Crisis Communication. Application, challenges, and future trends. Paper to be presented in the Global Strategic Communication Consortium’s 2024 Conclave, Tampa, USA.
• Jiang, Y-Z., Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2024). Dialogic CSR Communication with Chinese Consumers Through Social-Oriented Chatbots: Perceived Listening, Shared Meaning, and Supportive Intent. Paper to be presented in the 74th Annual ICA Conference, June 21-24, Gold Coast, Australia.
• +Han, W., Lee, H., Xu, Y. & Cheng, Y. (2024). Information Overload and Information Distrust: How Does Information Environment Influence Consumer Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings, 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17146
• Walton, T. N…Cheng, Y. (2023). Promoting the use of citizen science in higher education: A case study”, the 2023 Citizen Science Association conference, May 22-26, Arizona, USA.
• Park, K-Y., Cheng, Y., Jiang, H. (2022). The Role of Ethical Judgment in Employee Commitment under the COVID-19 Outbreak: From CSR Engagement to Positive WOM Behaviors, Paper presented at the annual conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, August 3-6, Detroit, USA.
• Jiang, H., & Cheng, Y., (2022). Why and how do people engage? Interactivity in AI-powered mental health chatbots, Paper presented at the 25th annual International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC), March 3-5, Orlando, USA.
• Cheng, Y. (2022). The application of AI and the contingent organization-public relationships. Panel Discussion on Contingency Theory. Paper to be presented in the 73rd Annual ICA Conference, May 25-29, Toronto.
• Dong, C-Q., Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2022).  Employees’ CSR Communication in China. Paper to be presented at the 25th annual International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC), March 3-5, Orlando, USA.
• Chen, F., & Cheng, Y. (2022). Value-driven Relationship Management: Exploring the Contingent Organization-Public Relationships (COPR) during a Paracrisis Duo, Paper to be presented at the 25th annual International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC), March 3-5, Orlando, USA. [Top paper ward]
• Cheng, Y. (2022). Communicating and Theorizing Chinese Stories in a Global Context: Using Contingent Organization-Public Relationship (COPR) as an Example. The annual 14^th PRSC Conference, May 26-27, Hangzhou, China.
• +Cheng, Y., Bai, X-T., & Jin, W-K. (2022). Testing contingent relationships between multinational companies and consumers: Analyzing Tesla’s crisis communication in mainland China, Paper presented at the 25th annual International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC), March 3-5, Orlando, USA.
• +Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Kong, Y-Q. (2022). Charting research on global social-mediated crisis communication from 2006 to 2020: An updated assessment. Paper presented in the 72nd Annual ICA Conference, May 26-30, Paris.
• Lan, X-M., Zhang, T-D., Cheng, Y., & Kiousis, S. (2022). The pandemic and social mobilization: Agenda-building in the networked public sphere. Paper presented in the 72nd Annual ICA Conference, May 26-30, Paris.
• Xie, C-X., Wang, Y-D., & Cheng, Y. (2022). Examining the Media Effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Communication Technologies: A Meta-Analysis. Paper presented in the 72nd Annual ICA Conference, May 26-30, Paris.
• Lee, Y-I., Cheng, Y., & Zhao, W. (2022). What Drives People to Seek Professional Help in Health Crises? The Impact of Cognitive Factors, Discrete Emotions, and Engaging Behavior on Mental Health Communication. Paper presented in the 72nd Annual ICA Conference, May 26-30, Paris.