Xinyan Zhao, Ph.D.

I am an assistant professor in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My research is centered on computational strategic communication, exploring how individuals and organizations use social media to consume, share, and network information in crisis and health contexts. My theoretical expertise focuses on social media and crisis communication theories, particularly in the context of diverse cultural groups. As a methodologist, I specialize in computational methods, including large language models (LLMs), machine learning,  and social network analysis, and have co-developed TLSA for automated emotion analysis.