Ph.D. Student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States
Wei Xiao is a dedicated researcher pursuing a Ph.D. in Communication at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. With a deep passion for technology policy, political communication, and media manipulation, Wei’s academic journey reflects a strong commitment to understanding the societal impact of technology and misinformation. Combining an interdisciplinary approach, Wei has worked across academia and industry, bringing valuable insights to complex communication challenges.
Professional profile
Education📚
Wei Xiao holds a Master’s Degree in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University, where they graduated with an impressive GPA of 3.86/4.0. Prior to that, Wei earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, maintaining a GPA of 3.73/4.0. Currently, Wei is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, focusing on topics like misinformation and media technology.
Professional Experience🏛️
Wei has diverse research experience, including a graduate research assistantship at Georgetown University, where they contributed to studies in Civic Education. During an internship at Yingda Media Investment Group in China, Wei launched a groundbreaking periodical on China’s 2060 Carbon Neutrality Target, showcasing their ability to translate complex information into actionable insights. Wei’s experience also includes assisting in communication science research projects at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, further honing their research skills.
Research Interest🌐
Wei’s primary research focuses on misinformation, media manipulation, and political communication. Their interest in technology policy leads them to explore how emerging technologies, such as AI, influence public discourse and policy. With a keen interest in societal impacts, Wei investigates how digital platforms propagate misinformation and the role of AI in content moderation, aiming to contribute to both academic knowledge and practical solutions in media governance.
Awards and Honors🏆
Wei’s academic achievements have been recognized with various accolades, including a place on the Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Fall 2018. Their commitment to excellence is further highlighted by their contributions to influential academic projects and presentations, such as their participation in the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) in 2024, presenting a literature review on emotional AI in children’s toys.
Achievements🎓
- Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fall 2018
- Master’s Thesis on “COVID-19 Anti-Vaccine Misinformation Discourse on Twitter,” supervised by Prof. Diana Owen
- Presented at the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) 2024 on “Intelligent Toys, Complex Questions: A Multivocal Literature Review of Emotional AI in Children’s Toys”
- Published the first and second issues of the periodical 2030 Emission Peak, 2060 Carbon Neutrality Research Report in China
- Graduate Research Assistant at Georgetown University, contributing to Civic Education Research Lab
- Contributed to two publications resulting from undergraduate research projects at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Developed a Data Quality Framework for Generative AI to combat misinformation for a Ph.D. course at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Publications top noted📜
- “Intelligent Toys, Complex Questions: A Multivocal Literature Review of Emotional AI in Children’s Toys and Devices”
- Author: Wei Xiao, Dr. Alexandre Goncalves
- Year: 2024
- Presented at: The Ethics of AI Culture, International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR), Christchurch, New Zealand
- Citations: 0
- Master Thesis: “COVID-19 Anti-Vaccine Misinformation Discourse on Twitter – Influential Roles of Polarization and 2020 US Presidential Election”
- Author: Wei Xiao
- Year: 2023
- Supervisor: Prof. Diana Owen
- Second reader: Prof. Jeanine W. Turner
- Citations: 0
