Yuan Sun
Assistant Professor, Advertising Department
Read Yuan Sun’s hiring announcement.
What are you teaching in fall 2023?
I will be teaching Principles of Advertising in fall 2023.
What is your area of expertise?
My expertise lies in studying the psychological effects of new media technology. Specifically, I focus on human-artificial intelligence (AI) interaction, exploring the fascinating dynamics between individuals and AI-powered technology such as chatbots, recommender systems and smart speakers.
I employ a variety of research methodologies, including experimental designs and surveys, to gather quantitative data for analysis. Additionally, I incorporate qualitative interviews in my recent projects.
What research are you working on?
Currently, my research focuses on two intriguing projects. The first one delves into understanding how consumers develop and calibrate their trust while engaging with AI-powered platforms, such as mental health chatbots and online dating sites. Another ongoing project is about examining the impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT on marketing practitioners and the advertising industry at large.
Significant other, children, pets?
I have a wonderful family that includes my husband, who is a computer science researcher. We are proud pet parents to two adorable cats (Ruby and Frankie) that we adopted while residing in State College, Pennsylvania.
What excites you most about coming to Gainesville?
I’m most excited about leaving behind the heavy snows and winter blues of Pennsylvania and embracing the warm and sunny climate in Gainesville.
What accomplishments, personal or professional, are you most proud of?
I am incredibly proud of my perseverance and resilience throughout my Ph.D. program. Despite facing significant challenges, including transitioning from the industry, overcoming a critical health issue and navigating through the pandemic, I remained steadfast in my pursuit of academic excellence.
What three things don’t we know about you?
- I started college as a journalism major, but my curiosity and love for research stayed with me as my career path evolved.
- I’m a sports enthusiast! Yoga, badminton and swimming are my go-to activities for a healthy dose of fun and fitness.
- I’ve been teaching myself French and it’s been an exciting and rewarding adventure in language learning.
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