University of Wisconsin–Madison
New Media and Society (2026) Authors: Sha Luo, Sang Jung Kim, Zening Duan, Kaiping Chen Abstract: Refusal behavior by Large Language Models (LLMs) is increasingly visible in content moderation, yet little is known about how refusals vary by the identity of the user making the request. This study investigates refusal as a sociotechnical outcome through a …
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have announced that IDS affiliate Kaiping Chen, an associate professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication, has been selected of one of 20 members of the New Voices in Science, Engineering, and Medicine program for 2026. Chen is a science communication scholar with expertise in deliberative democracy …
Feminist Media Studies (2026) Authors: Kaiping Chen and Sheng Zou Abstract: The extent of women’s empowerment in the digital world has been debated, given the co-existence of digital feminist activism and enduring gender stereotypes. This study investigates how women of color who work as STEM communicators utilize social media creatively to redraw the boundary of …
Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication (2024) Authors: Kaiping Chen, Zening Duan, Sang Jung Kim Abstract: This study examines how gender stereotypes are reflected in discourses around controversial science issues across two platforms, YouTube and TikTok. Utilizing the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects, we developed hypotheses and research questions about how content creators might use gender-related stereotypes to …
Scientific Reports (2024) Authors: Kaiping Chen, Anqi Shao, Jirayu Burapacheep, Yixuan Li Abstract: Autoregressive language models, which use deep learning to produce human-like texts, have surged in prevalence. Despite advances in these models, concerns arise about their equity across diverse populations. While AI fairness is discussed widely, metrics to measure equity in dialogue systems are lacking. This …
Environmental Communication (2024) Authors: Amanda L. Molder, Isabel I. Villanueva, Kaiping Chen Abstract: Environmental issues already disproportionately impact communities of color in the U.S., where there is a long and well-established history of environmental racism. Despite efforts to diversify voices in deliberation, engaging marginalized populations remains a key challenge. Drawing from environmental communication, civic empowerment, and social …
In this episode, Kaiping Chen and Corey Jackson talk about trust in science—and how we can think about it from the perspective of diversity science. They argue that the research community should aim to create an environment where non-scientists are being given the tools, support, and context to engage with research in a way that …
Five IDS Affiliates were recently honored with University of Wisconsin-Madison Vilas Professorships and Awards. These awards are given annually to extraordinary UW-Madison faculty and staff. This year, 44 total professorships and awards were given. Affiliates earning awards are: Felix Elwert, Sociology: Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship Kaiping Chen, Life Sciences Communication: Vilas Early-Career Investigator Award Lauren …
Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly (2024) Authors: Yiming Wang, Liwei Shen, Kaiping Chen Abstract: In an era of intergroup tensions and conspiracy theories, our study examines whether threat-mitigation news frames can counter U.S. public beliefs in China-related conspiracy theories. Using a preregistered online survey experiment, we analyzed the effects of news articles that either emphasize …
Access to high-speed internet has become crucial to staying connected—to jobs, medical care, social services, and many other parts of life. A new paper by Ashley Cate, Steven Moen, and IDS Affiliate Kaiping Chen suggests that Wisconsin broadband expansion efforts can be made more effective by accounting for local conditions and needs. In their paper, …