Alice Cheng

Bio

Yang “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.

Dr. Cheng is an associate professor in the Department of Communication and an adjunct professor at the Poole College of Management, NCSU. 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 130 journal articles 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 extensively served as a guest speaker or keynote speaker for international institutions such as MIT, Peking University, Zhejiang U, Xiamen U, U of Technology Sydney, and Nanjing Normal U.

Acting as the Principal Investigator (PI) or senior researcher, her research has been funded by many global prestigious institutions ($1,160,749), such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) ($1 million), Arthur Page Center (USA) ($14,000), Caterpiller Foundation ($86,500), North Carolina State University (USA) ($59,249), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong) ($7,000). 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.

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), 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, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, and Public Relations Inquiry.  Currently, she is the advisory committee member for the International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC). She is editing three special issues from prestigious journals such as Internet Research and Public Relations Review.

Teaching and Research Interests

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

Projects

Crisis/Disaster Communication and Public Emergency, Chatbot and Artificial Intelligence (AI); Digital Mental Health Messages; Misinformation and Ethics; Social Media Influencer and Fake News

Funded Research and Teaching Projects

• “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.
• “Visualizing and Evaluating Digital Mental Health Campaign: An Interactive 3D Video of Suicide Prevention for Low-income College Student”, Public Science Faculty Support, North Carolina State University, 2020.
• “AI Chatbot services and mental health communication”, Open incubator research award, North Carolina State University, 2020.
• “Developing Intelligent Technologies for Workforce Empowerment: Labor Market Monitoring, Credential Gap Diagnostics, and Personalized Recommendation Systems”, (USD$100,000,000) NSF Convergence Accelerator Pilot (NSF C-Accel), 2019, NSF 19050. 2019-2020
• “Third-Person Effects of Corporate Fake News Spread on Social Media: A Path Model for Predicting Restrictive Versus Corrective Actions”, Junior Faculty Development Award Program, North Carolina State University. 2018-2019
• Travel Award, Office of Outreach and Engagement. North Carolina State University, 2018-2020.
• “Understanding Individuals’ Engagement towards Digital Mental Health Campaigns: An Extension of the Situational Theory of Problem Solving (STOPS)” 2018-2019. Syracuse University.
• “AI and mental health apps in the U.S.”, NCSU, 2019-2020, Mentor of undergraduates.
• “Public responses in the Florida Gun Shooting”, NCSU undergraduate research mentorship. 2018-2019
• “Understanding the Social Media Engagement and Relationship Outcomes of Mobile Corporate Social Responsibility (mCSR): A Comparative Study”,  Arthur Page Center. 2017-2018
• “The model of contingent organization-public relationship: Reconciling contingency and relationship management theory.” School of Journalism, The University of Missouri, 2016-2017.
• “A contingent perspective: Scratching below the surface for factors influencing corporation-activist relationship.” Center for Digital Globe (CDiG), The University of Missouri, 2015-2016.
• “Reconciling contingency and relationship management theory: The model of the contingent corporation-activist relationship (CCAR).” Center for Digital Globe (CDiG), The University of Missouri, 2014-2015.
• The third-level agenda setting in contemporary China: Tracking description to moral and national education in government policy, media coverage and people’s mind.” I-CARE program, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012-2013.

Extension and Community Engagement

• Guest speaker. Design Thinking Panel: Engineering with Empathy; Designing for Humans, Inaugural Deep Learning in Business Forum Cambridge / MIT (October 7, 2022).
• Guest speaker. AI and Crisis Communication. Research Seminar, Nanjing Normal University
• 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. Research & Publication Special Session, 2021 Mobile Studies Congress, Virtual.
• 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 2019

Refereed Journal articles 

• +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. 
• +Han, W., Lee, H., Xu, Y. & Cheng, Y. (2024).Impacts of the COVID-19 infodemic on emotions through cognitive appraisals, Online Information Review.
• +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.
• 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
• ⁺Wang, Y., Cheng, Y., & Sun, J. (2021). When public relations meets social media: A systematic review of social media-related public relations research from 2006 to 2020. Public Relations Review, 47, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2021.102081
• Cheng, Y., Hung-Baesecke, F, C-j., & Chen, Y-R. (2021). Social Media Influencer Effects on CSR Communication: The Role of Influencer Leadership in Opinion and Taste. International Journal of Business Communication.
• Cheng, Y., & Luo, Y-J. (2021). The presumed influence of COVID-19 misinformation on social media: Survey research from two countries in the global health crisis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. [Equal authorship], 18(11), 1-15, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115505.
• +Cheng, Y. & Fish, A. (2021). Toward a contingency theory of relating management: Exploring organization-public relationships (OPRs) in conflicts. Negotiation and Conflict Management Research.
• Cheng, Y., & Jiang, H. (2021). Customer–brand relationship in the era of artificial intelligence: Understanding the role of chatbot marketing efforts. Journal of Product and Brand Management. Doi: 10.1108/JPBM-05-2020-2907
• ⁺Cheng, Y., Funkhouser, C., Raabe. T, & Cross, R. (2021). Examining organization-public relationships (OPRs) in crises: A thematic meta-analysis of updated literature from 1997 to 2019. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management 
• Cheng, Y., & Shen, H. M. (2021). Decisions to React after Mass Shootings: Exploring Cognitive Evaluations, Affective Responses, Trust, and Public Behavioral Intentions toward the National Rifle Association. Journal of Applied Communication Research
• Luo, Y. J., Cheng, Y., & Sui, M. (2021). The moderating effects of perceived severity on the generational gap in preventative behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 2011, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042011
• Cheng, Y., Chen, Y-R., Hung-Baesecke, F, C-j. (2021). Social media influencers in CSR endorsement: The effect of consumer mimicry on CSR behaviors and consumer relationships. Social Science Computer Review. Doi: 10.1177/0894439320987184​​​​​​​
• Cheng, Y., & Chen, Z. F. (2020). Encountering Misinformation Online: Antecedents of Trust and Distrust and Their Impact on the Intensity of Facebook Use. Online Information Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-04-2020-0130
• Cheng, Y., & Luo, Y. J. (2020). The Presumed Influence of Digital Misinformation in the U.S.: Examining Publics’ Support for Governmental Restrictions versus Corrective Action in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Online Information Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-08-2020-0386
• Cheng, Y. (2020) Contingent Organization-Public Relationship (COPR) Matters: Reconciling the Contingency Theory of Accommodation into the Relationship Management Paradigm. Journal of Public Relations Research, DOI:10.1080/1062726X.2020.1830405.
• Cheng, Y., & Jiang, H. (2020). How do AI-driven chatbots impact user experience? Examining gratifications, perceived privacy risk, satisfaction, loyalty, and continued use. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media. DOI:10.1080/08838151.2020.1834296.
• Cheng, Y., & Shen, H. M. (2020). United airlines crisis from the stakeholder perspective: Exploring customers’ ethical judgment, trust and distrust, and behavioral intentions. Public Relations Review, 46(2), Doi:10.1016/j.pubrev.2020.101908.​​​​​​​
• Cheng, Y., & Chen, Z. F. (2020). The influence of presumed fake news influence: Examining public support for corporate corrective response, media literacy interventions, and governmental regulation. Mass Communication & Society, doi:10.1080/15205436.2020.1750656.
• Shen, H. M. & Cheng, Y. (2020). The NRA in Crisis: Social Identities and Publics’ Cognitive and Affective Evaluations. International Journal of Business Communication, Doi: 10.1177/2329488420985101​​​​​​​
• Cheng, Y., & Jiang, H. (2020). AI-powered mental health chatbots: Examining users’ motivations, active communicative action, and engagement after mass-shooting disasters. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 28, 339-354. DOI: 10.1111/1468-5973.12319.
• Shen, H. M., & Cheng, Y. (2020). Scale development for stakeholder responses in crises: Centering on stakeholders in the United Airlines crisis. Public Relations Journal, 13(2), 1-17.
• Cheng, Y., & Cameron, T. G. (2019). Examining six modes of relationships in a social-mediated crisis in China: An exploratory study of contingent organization-public relationship (COPR). Journal of Applied Communication Research, 47(5), 1-18, doi: 10.1080/00909882.2019.1695874
• Chen, Z. F., & Cheng, Y. (2019). Consumer response to fake news about brands on social media: The effects of self-efficacy, media trust, and persuasion knowledge on company trust. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 29(2), 188-198. doi: 10.1108/JPBM-12-2018-2145.
• Cheng, Y., Shen, H. M., & Jiang, Q. L. (2020). Corporate dialogue in crises of China: Examining dialogic strategies and communicative outcomes in a child abuse scandal. Public Relations Review, 46(1), 1-9, doi: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.101816
• Chen, Y-R., Cheng, Y., Hung-Baesecke, R., & Jin, Y. (2019). Engaging international publics via mobile-enhanced CSR (mCSR): A cross-national study on stakeholder reactions to corporate disaster relief efforts. American Behavioral Scientist. Doi:10.1177/0002764219835258.
• Cheng, Y., & Lee*(graduate student), C. J. (2019). Online crisis communication in a post-truth Chinese society: Evidence from interdisciplinary literature. Public Relations Review. Doi: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.101826
• Cheng, Y. (2019). Review of advertising and consumer culture in China, by H-M. Li. International Journal of Communication.
• Cheng, Y. (2020). The social-mediated crisis communication research: Revisiting dialogue between organizations and publics in crises of China. Public Relations Review. 46(1), 1-9, Doi: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.04.003
• Cheng, Y., Chen, Y. R., Hung-Baesecke, R., & Jin, Y. (2019). When CSR meets mobile SNA users in mainland China: An examination of gratifications sought, CSR motives, and relational outcomes in natural disasters. International Journal of Communication, 13, 319-341. doi: https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/10169
• Cheng, Y., Jin, Y., Hung-Baesecke, R., Chen, Y. R. (2019). Mobile corporate social responsibility (mCSR): Examining publics’ responses to CSR-based initiatives in natural disasters. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 13(1), 76-93. doi:10.1080/1553118X.2018.1524382

Chapters in Refereed Edited Books

• +Cheng, Y., Liu, P-Y., & Burnette, C. (2023). Dealing with Employees in Crises: Examining Contingent Organization–Public Relationships (COPR) for Internal Communication. In McCown, N., Jiang, H., & Shen, H. M (eds.). Internal Communication.
• Chen, Y-R., & Hung, F., & Cheng, Y. (forthcoming). 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. (2022). 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. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119678816
• Cheng, Y., Chen, Z. F. (In Press). 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., Laprea, I., & Mackie, H. (2021). Turning crises into opportunities? Examining the effectiveness of Starbucks’ responses to its Philadelphia crisis. In Luttrell Regina, Emerick Susan, and Wallace Adrienne. Data-Driven Public Relations, Marketing, and Advertising (pp. 191-201). Oxford University Press.
• +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. (2nd eds.). Doi: 10.4324/9781003043409-1
• Cheng, Y., & Cameron, G. (2022). Exploring relationships in crisis communication: Applying contingent organization-public relationships (COPR) in a big data age, In Timothy Coombs & Holladay Shelly. (ed.), Handbook of Crisis Communication (2nd eds.).
• Cheng, Y. (2020). Agenda setting. In D. Merskin (Ed.), The SAGE international encyclopedia of mass media and society (Vol. 1, pp. 47-48). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781483375519.n23
• Cheng, Y. (2018). Online social media and crisis communication in China: A review and critique. In Jan Servaes (ed.), Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change. SpringerNature. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-7035-8_5-1
• Cheng, Y., Huang, Y. H., & Chen, C. M. (2020). Social media crisis in China. In Junhao Hong. (ed.), China in the Age of Social Media: An Unprecedented Force for an Unprecedented Social Transformation. Rowman & Littlefield.
• Cheng, Y., & Cameron, G. (2017). Looking over, looking out, and moving forward: The review of contingency theory in public relations. In Xianhong Chen (ed.), Public Relations Theories for contemporary China. Communication University of China Publishing House. (In Chinese)
• Cheng, Y., & Cameron, G. (2017). The status of social-mediated crisis communication (SMCC) research: An analysis of published articles in 2002-2014. In L. Austin, & Y. Jin (Eds.). Social Media and Crisis Communication (pp. 9-20). New York, NY: Routledge.
• Huang, Y. H., Wu, F., Cheng, Y., & Lyu, C. (2016). Crisis communication research in Greater China. In Martin Löffelholz, Andreas Schwarz and Matthew Seeger (Eds.), the Handbook of International Crisis Communication Research. Wiley-Blackwell. Huang, Y. H., & Cheng, Y. (2013). China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, practice of public relations in. In R. Heath (Ed.), Encyclopedia of public relations. (pp. 111-115). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

+ denotes the collaboration with students

Refereed Online Publications

• 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/
• Cheng, Y. (2017, May 19). Best Practice for Crisis Management on Social Media. www.odwyerpr.com. Retrieved from http://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/8814/2017-05-19/best-practice-for-crisis-management-social-media.html.
• Cheng, Y. (2015, November). Who is leading whom in the General Motors recall: Understanding media impacts on public relations efforts, public awareness, and financial markets. Institute of Public Relations. Retrieved from http://www.instituteforpr.org/wpcontent/uploads/Yang-Cheng-PRIME-paper_091715.pdf.
• Cheng, Y. (2015, October). Executive summary-Who is leading whom in the General Motors recall: Understanding media impacts on public relations efforts, public awareness, and financial markets. Institute of Public Relations. Retrieved from http://www.instituteforpr.org/leading-general-motors-recall-understanding-media-impact-public-relations-efforts-public-awarenessfinancial-markets/.
• Cheng, Y. (2015, August 31). 2015 Grunig PRIME research fellow: The complex world of media content measurement. Retrieved from: http://www.instituteforpr.org/2015-gruing-prime-research-fellow-complex-world-media-content-measurement/.

Presentations

• 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., 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.
• Wang, Y., Cheng, Y., & Gonzenbach, W. (2021, November). Exploring the effects of employee social media engagement on employee–organization relationships and megaphoning. Paper presented at the annual convention of the National Communication Association, Seattle, WA.
• Meng, X., Wang, Y., & Cheng, Y. (2021). Exploring the effects of dialogic communication and employee–organization relationships during crises: Empirical evidence from the United States and China. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, virtual conference.
• Santos, F., Harris, G., & Cheng, Y. (2021). Gauging the Effects of COVID-19 on Learning: An Integrated Approach. 2021 Teaching and Learning Symposium, Spring, Online.
• Santos, F., Harris, G., & Cheng, Y. (2020). Teaching under COVID-19. Paper presented in the International Teaching Leaning Cooperative (ITLC) Lilly Online conference, November 30-December 4, Online.
• Xiao, A. L., & Cheng, Y. (2020). Responding to Online Hoaxes: the Role of Contextual Priming, Crisis Response Type and Communication Strategy. Paper presented in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), August 7-9, San Francisco.
• Cheng, Y., Hung-Baesecke, F, C-j., & Chen, Y-R. (2020). Strategic CSR Communication through Social Media Influencers (SMIs): Examining SMIs Features, Leadership, CSR Skepticism and Engagement, and Customer Response. Paper presented at the 23rd annual International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC), March 5-7, Orlando, Florida.
• Xiao, A. L., & Cheng, Y. (2020). Responding to Online Hoaxes: the Role of Contextual Priming, Crisis Response Type and Communication Strategy. Paper presented in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), August 7-9, San Francisco.
• Cheng, Y., Chen, Y-R., & Hung-Baesecke, F. C-j. (2020). Social Media Influencers for CSR: Examining Influence Features, Leadership, CSR Skepticism and Communication Engagement, and Relationship Outcomes. Paper presented in the 70th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, May 21-25, Australia.
• Cheng, Y., & Shen, H. M. (2020). Decisions to React after Mass Shootings: Exploring Cognitive Evaluations, Affective Responses, Trust, and Public Behavioral Intentions toward the National Rifle Association. Paper presented in the 70th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, May 21-25, Australia.
• Chen, Z. F., & Cheng, Y. (2020). Examining the Impact of Product Harm Fake News on Social Media: Persuasion Knowledge, Corporate Ability Associations, and Publics’ Information Processing, Paper presented at the 23rd annual International Public Relations Research Conference (IPRRC), March 5-7, Orlando, Florida.
• Cheng, Y., & Chen, Z. F. (2019). Third-Person Effects of Fake News on Social Media: Examining Public Support for Corporate Corrective Response, Media Literacy Intervention, and Governmental Regulation. Paper to be presented in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), August 7-9, Toronto.
• Chen, Z. F., & Cheng, Y. (2019). Combating Fake News about Companies on Social Media: The Effects of Self-Efficacy, Media Trust, and Persuasion Knowledge on Company Trust. Paper to be presented in the 26th BledCom, July 4-6, Slovenia.
• Cheng, Y. (2019). How Social Media is Changing Dialogues in Chinese Crisis Communication: Evidence from Updated Literature. Paper to be presented in the 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, D.C., May 24-28.
• Chen, Y-R., Cheng, Y., Hung-Baesecke, R., & Jin, Y. (2019). Engaging international publics via mobile-enhanced CSR (mCSR): A cross-national study on stakeholder reactions to corporate disaster relief efforts. Paper to be presented in the 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, D.C., May 24-28.
• Cheng, Y. (2019). An Exploratory Study of Contingent Organization-Public Relationship (COPR): Six Modes of Relationships in a Social Media Crisis of China. Paper to be presented in the 69th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA), Washington, D.C., May 24-28.

Graduate Advising

• Master’s in Communication Committees
  Annie Lee (degree Spring 2018)
  Emily Rusk(degree Spring 2018)
  Grace Oh (degree Spring 2018)
  Meghana shivanandacharya (degree Spring 2018)
  Ingrid Laprea (degree Spring 2019)
  Ellen Mask (degree Fall 2020)
  Rachel Montesinos Jorro (In progress, 2021)
  Regina Massite (Committee chair, 2021)
  Joya Garris (degree in 2021)
  Yanding, Wang (International student, 2021)
  Amneris Solano (Committee chair, In progress, 2022)
  Kai Heslop (degree in 2022)
  Naudia Baker (degree in 2022)
  Callie Burnette (Committee chair, 2024)
  Peiyao, Liu (Committee chair, 2024)
  Liz Risco (Committee chair, 2024)
• Doctoral Degree in Communication in Committees
  Karl Feld (Committee chair, in progress, 2023)
• Jakuk Lee (Commitee chair, in progress, 2025)
• Ailin Li (In progress, 2023)
  Ekaterina Bogomoletc (In progress, 2023)
• International Students Visiting Program (2021-present): Mentored more than 40 students