Ruonan Zhang, PhD
Assistant Professor of Communication
My research areas include the media effects of social media influencers on follower wellbeing and consumer behaviors, the impact of AI in higher education, and digital culture. I predominantly use quantitative research methodology, including online experiments and survey.
Education
BA, Shanghai International Studies University
MA, Kent State University
PhD, Bowling Green State University
Courses Taught
Undergraduate
Social Media Influencers and PR (COM365)
New Media and PR (COM302)
Graduate
Strategic Communication Theory and Research (SCOM515)
Community Service
Created and Taught the Community Engagement Course Serving Local Nonprofit, the Chinese School of Tomorrow in Orlando.
Recent Publications
Zhang, R., Mercado, T., Chen, Y. & Bi, N. (2024). 鈥淗ow come I don鈥檛 look like that鈥�: The negative impact of wishful identification with influencers on follower well-being. Online Media and Global Communication, 3(4), 560-579.
Zhang, R., Bi, C. Salerno, K., & Chen, P. (2024). ChatGPT might slow you down: Verification moderates AI use and learning efficiency among college students. Journal of Media Education, 15(4), 32-41.
Zhang, R., Mercado, T., & Bi, N. C. (2024). 鈥淯nintended鈥� marketing through influencer vlogs: Impacts of interactions, parasocial relationships, and perceived influencer credibility on purchase behaviors. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, Advance online publication.
News & Features
March 31, 2025
杏吧传媒 Inducts 24 New Members of Phi Beta Kappa
A select group of 杏吧传媒 students has joined the nation鈥檚 most prestigious academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, placing them among the top 1 percent of college scholars in the U.S.
March 21, 2025
杏吧传媒 Museum of Art Collaborates with Hume House Child Development Center
David Matteson, an associate curator of education for 杏吧传媒 Museum of Art, and Alice Davidson, executive director of 杏吧传媒 Child Development Center and a professor of Psychology, were interviewed on Central Florida Public Media's Engage about the Symbolic Languages Exhibit. (at 39:01)
October 11, 2024
Psychology Professor Provides Expertise on Children Developing a Love for Reading
Alice Davidson, a psychology professor and Director of the Hume House College Child Development and Student Research Center, provided expert commentary to Parents.com on teaching your child to develop a love for reading.
December 13, 2023
Psychology Professor Shares Research on Gentle Parenting in New York Magazine
Alice Davidson, a professor of psychology, shared her research on "gentle parenting" with New York Magazine's -The Cut.
May 11, 2022
A Professor of Psychology Addresses Social-Emotional Learning
Alice Davidson, a professor of psychology, discusses social-emotional learning and the Florida Department of Education鈥檚 review of math textbooks.
April 21, 2022
Psychology Professor Provides Commentary on Social Emotional Learning
Psychology professor Alice Davidson discusses Florida鈥檚 ban on math textbooks that promote social emotional learning.