Annie Zhang

Postdoctoral Scholar

annielz@uw.edu

Website

Specializations

Science communication
Science in society
New and digital media

Research Areas

Biography

Annie Zhang is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Washington Information School and Center for an Informed Public (CIP). Her research has focused on how digital spaces and emerging technologies have influenced the public communication and understanding of science, as well as the social, political, and persuasive implications of such. Broadly, her work aims to build positive and meaningful relationships between science, scientists, and the public and promote evidence-based communication strategies that not only enhance public understanding of, but also inspire public engagement and interest in, science. Zhang has an interdisciplinary background in communication and media and chemistry. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Information, Communication, and Society, New Media & Society, Social Media & Society, and Science Communication, and has been supported by funding from the National Science Foundation.

Education

Ph D, Communication and Media, University of Michigan, 2025
BS, Chemistry Honors, University of Texas at Austin, 2020

Publications and Contributions

Conference Paper

Automating the Oracle: Leveraging AI for Enhanced Analysis of Open-Ended Responses (2025)
2025 American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Conference Authors: B. Zichettella, Annie Zhang, J. Pasek
Journal Article, Academic Journal

Performing ‘the scientist,’ credibly and authentically: Understanding how scientists manage their self-presentation on social media (2025)
Information, Communication & Society, pp. 1-21 Author: Annie Zhang
Conference Paper

Performing “The Scientist:” Understanding How Scientists Manage Their Self-Presentation on Social Media (2025)
108th Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Annual Conference Author: Annie Zhang
Conference Paper

Racial Attitudes and the Unequal Impacts of Climate Change: How Emphasizing Class or Race in News Stories Influences Public Perceptions and Support for Climate Policies (2025)
108th Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Annual Conference Authors: P.S. Hart, L. Feldman, S. Choi, Annie Zhang
Journal Article, Academic Journal

When Scientists Share Their Struggles: How Scientists’ Self-Presentation on Social Media Influences Public Perceptions, Support for Science, and Information-Seeking Intentions (2025)
Science Communication Authors: Annie Zhang, Hang Lu
Journal Article, Academic Journal

Behind the lab coat: How scientists’ self-disclosure on Twitter influences source perceptions, tweet engagement, and scientific attitudes through social presence (2024)
New Media & Society, 26(10), pp. 5784–5801 Authors: Annie Zhang, Hang Lu
Conference Paper

Communicating Norms about Transparent Science and Risk Communication Can Shape Public Support for Science and Scientists (2024)
2024 Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting Authors: Annie Zhang, Hang Lu
Conference Paper

Examining the Relationship between Anti-Establishment Views, Emotion, and Covid-19 Mitigation Behaviors in the U.S. (2024)
74th International Communication Association (ICA) Annual Conference Authors: B. Zichettella, Annie Zhang, A. Hasell, S. Chinn
Conference Paper

Unveiling Imperfections: How Scientists’ Self-Presentation Can Influence Public Perceptions, Science Advocacy, and Information Seeking Intentions (2024)
107th AEJMC Annual Conference Authors: Annie Zhang, Hang Lu
Conference Paper

In Science We Trust: Race and Gender Cues Interact with Trust in Science to Influence Reactions to Scientists’ Social Media Posts (2023)
73rd ICA Annual Conference Authors: Annie Zhang, E.E. Bridgewater, K. Harrison
Journal Article, Academic Journal

Scientists as Influencers: The Role of Source Identity, Self-Disclosure, and Anti-Intellectualism in Science Communication on Social Media (2023)
Social Media + Society, 9(2), pp. 1-16 Authors: Annie Zhang, Hang Lu
Journal Article, Academic Journal

The Influence of Flooding Imagery and Party Cues on Perceived Threat, Collective Efficacy, and Intentions for Political Action to Address Climate Change (2023)
Science Communication, 45(1), pp. 627–664 Authors: P. Sol Hart, Lauren Feldman, Soobin Choi, Annie Zhang, Austin Hegland
Journal Article, Academic Journal

A Partisan Pandemic: How COVID-19 Was Primed for Polarization (2022)
The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 700(1), pp. 55–72 Authors: Austin Hegland, Annie Zhang, Brianna Zichettella, Josh Pasek
Journal Article, Academic Journal

No Laughing Matter: Exploring the Effects of Scientists’ Humor Use on Twitter and the Moderating Role of Superiority (2022)
Science Communication, 44(4), pp. 418–445 Authors: Annie Zhang, Hang Lu

Presentations

The Influence of Flooding Imagery and Party Cues on Perceived Threat, Collective Efficacy, and Intentions for Political Action to Address Climate Change (2023)
73rd ICA Annual Conference - Toronto, Canada
The Role of Emotion in Shaping Pandemic Responses Among Those with Anti-Intellectual and Populist Views in the U.S. (2023)
Pandemic Communication in Times of Populism Symposium - United Kingdom
A Partisan Pandemic: How Covid-19 Was Primed for Polarization (2022)
77th AAPOR Annual Conference - Chicago, Illinois
Behind the Lab Coat: How Scientists’ Self-Disclosure on Twitter Influences Source Perceptions (2022)
105th AEJMC Annual Conference - Detroit, Michigan
No Laughing Matter: Exploring the Effects of Scientists’ Humor Use on Twitter and the Moderating Role of Superiority (2022)
72nd ICA Annual Conference - Paris, France
Effective Framing of Climate Change Evidence to Influence Audience Perceptions (2020)
2020 SRA Annual Meeting - Virtual