Yibing Sun

Yibing Sun is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research is centered on the production and effects of visual content within the networked communication environment. Specifically, she seeks to unravel the intricate relationship between textual and visual content and explore how visuals are disseminated online using computational methods and experiments.

Her research delves into the critical role of mass media in influencing public attitudes and behaviors towards diverse social groups, emphasizing the power of visual imagery. Specifically, one of her projects investigates the effects of emotional visual framing in news coverage of social movements, revealing how these portrayals can significantly shape public engagement and attitudes toward the protestors. Another study examines the enduring presence of hate symbols in media as negative cultural emblems, exploring journalism’s mediational role in molding public perceptions of these symbols. This work highlights the media’s influence in either perpetuating or challenging societal biases and stereotypes.

Research areas: Visual Communication, Computational Methods

IDS Affiliate Faculty Supervisor: Dhavan Shah