Q&A with 2025 Sharon Dunwoody Award Winner JungHwan Yang

Dr. JungHwan Yang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and the David F. Linowes Faculty Fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Yang’s research explores how individuals access, engage with and respond to political information in today’s fragmented media landscape. His current work investigates media coverage of real-world events, particularly mass shootings and police shootings, to uncover biases in news production and analyze which events receive media attention and which are overlooked. He also leads a National Science Foundation-funded project that uses social media polls to estimate public opinion and examine their political influence.

Yang is the founder and director of the Computational Laboratory for Online and Ubiquitous Data (CLOUD)—an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to advancing communication studies through computational methods and mentoring students. The creation of CLOUD was inspired by his experience at UW-Madison, where he established the Computational Methods group during his graduate studies. An avid indie pop enthusiast, Dr. Yang previously hosted the radio show One, Two, Twee! on WSUM in Madison, WI.

What does this award mean to you?

Winning this award is incredibly meaningful because Madison isn’t just where I studied and lived—it’s home. The faculty, my mentors, my friends, and the entire SJMC community shaped me both as a scholar and as a person. Knowing that the people I respect and admire recognize my growth means a lot to me.

After graduation, I spent most of my time building connections with new colleagues, sometimes at the expense of staying close to my mentors here—something I regret. This award feels like a quiet nod from them, as if they’re saying, “We see you. We’re proud of you.” That acknowledgment means everything. It’s a reminder to solidify my connection with my roots.

What has been keeping you busy since your time in the SJMC?

I have been working as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When I arrived, I took over Scott Althaus’s old office, right next to David Tewksbury’s—two of my academic idols. I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible colleagues and students and to work on a number of exciting research projects. Many of my collaborations began in my last year at SJMC, and I’ve continued working on them across multiple projects.

I’ve worked on several large-scale projects. One project tracks people’s digital device usage for over a year to examine how online partisan information shapes political attitudes. Another investigates the coordination patterns of state-led disinformation campaigns on social media, identifying universal strategies across more than ten countries. More recently, I’ve been studying the effects of social polls—unofficial, unscientific polls posted on social media to gauge public opinion. My team is conducting experiments to assess their influence on people’s perceptions of elections and politics. We’re also exploring whether, with statistical adjustments, these polls could serve as reliable indicators of public sentiment.

Beyond research, I’ve spent a significant amount of time applying for grants—a time-consuming process filled with rejections. Fortunately, I’ve had some success, securing funding from the Volkswagen Stiftung, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the University of Illinois.

Outside of academia, I’ve settled into life in Champaign, a small college town in Central Illinois. I’ve navigated homeownership and an intense experience with renovations. Balancing research and real life has been a struggle, but I’d like to think I’m getting better at both.

What are you focused on right now?

Right now, I’m working on several projects that push the boundaries of media research. I believe that studying media should start with understanding real-world events—before they even become news. Then, we can analyze which events get covered, which don’t, and which ones escalate into a full-fledged “media storm.”

With support from the Cline Center for Advanced Social Research, I’m investigating how narratives around mass shootings evolve—why some events get amplified while others fade into obscurity—and what that reveals about modern journalism.

Another major project focuses on social polls—the kind that flood social media and often masquerade as legitimate indicators of public opinion. With NSF support, I’m exploring whether these polls truly reflect political reality or if they merely create digital illusions that shape our perceptions of public opinion.

I’m also researching how to establish norms for using AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) in social science. AI is becoming an integral tool in our field, but no clear standards exist for its application in academic research. I believe this is the right moment to develop those guidelines, and I’m excited about the possibilities.

What is the most valuable lesson you learned in the SJMC?

I’ve always been surrounded by brilliant, creative, and curious people during my time here. That was a privilege—one I enjoyed but didn’t fully appreciate while I was here. After leaving, I realized just how rare and precious that kind of community is.

At SJMC, I met people who worked with passion, who were genuinely excited about their research, and who supported one another. That environment shaped my academic journey in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Now, at Illinois, I am trying my best to build a similar community where students and colleagues feel inspired and connected.

What is your favorite memory from the SJMC?

The Spring Break road trip with [emeritus professor] Al [Gunther]. It was mid-semester, right before conference deadlines, and I was overwhelmed with stress. Then Al—bless him—invited a group of us (Dave Wise and Matt Barnidge) on a road trip to Florida.

We strapped kayaks and a canoe to our cars and drove south. We camped in tents, fished in the ocean, cooked over a campfire, and just enjoyed being in the moment.

For a few days, we swapped research stress for road trip snacks, academic debates for beachside conversations, and presentation slides for unforgettable memories. That trip wasn’t just a break—it was a reminder that the best part of academia is the friendships you build along the way. I cherish those memories.

What was your favorite study spot on campus?

There were many, but if I had to pick one, it would be the first floor of the College Library. It had the perfect balance of background noise, 24-hour access, and a snack bar. There’s something about having snacks within arm’s reach that makes research feel just a little less daunting.

Off-campus, I was a regular at Indie Coffee. The music was always good, and their strawberry waffles? Pure magic. That place fueled many long study sessions (and probably a few sugar crashes).

Who is the SJMC professor who had the most profound impact on your career, why?

It’s impossible to choose just one. I was lucky enough to have two advisors—[professors] Hernando [Rojas] and Dhavan [Shah]—who were like my academic parents. Their mentorship wasn’t just about research; it was about shaping how I think. They encouraged me to explore unconventional ideas, challenge dominant narratives, and work hard to prove it. Beyond that, they also taught me how to be a good person.

And then there’s [emeritus professor] Al [Gunther], who had a huge influence on me, reminding me to stay curious and—most importantly—to enjoy research because it’s fun!

Their impact is woven into how I approach my work today. Whether I’m designing a new study, mentoring students, or pushing the boundaries of media research, I often find myself thinking, “What would they do if they were here?”