Yiyi C. Yang

Dr. Yiyi Yang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies. She received her undergraduate degree from Communication University of China (Beijing) and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Alabama. Dr. Yang taught theory, methods, and applied courses related to various topics, such as persuasion, interpersonal communication, mass communication, public speaking, and organizational communication. She currently teaches mixed research methods and crisis communication in the M.A. program in Integrated Marketing Communication.

Dr. Yang’s research explores media effects in the context of sports communication, health communication, and crisis communication. Through an interdisciplinary lens, she uses both quantitative and qualitative methods in her research. Her current projects examine how mediated portrayals of natural disasters and health issues impact public attitudes and behaviors. Dr. Yang's work has appeared in top communication journals, such as Health Communication, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Computers in Human Communication, Communication & Sport, among others. Her teaching and research have been recognized for their quality and originality via grants, top paper awards, and excellence in teaching awards at international and national academic conferences. Before she entered academia, she worked in the broadcasting industry and as a public relations professional in a multinational corporation.

Specialization in Teaching

Mixed Research Methods, Crisis Communication, Sports Communication

Research Interests

Media Effects, Crisis Communication, Sports Communication, Integrated Marketing Communication, Interdisciplinary Research