Yi Zhou

Biography

Yi (Izzie) Zhou is a Ph.D. student and Graduate Assistant in Communication Science at The Media School, Indiana University Bloomington. Her research sits at the intersection of media psychology and digital communication, focusing on two key areas: (1) Psychological experiences with social media, including identity construction, emotional effects, user motivations, and objectification in online interactions; and (2) Online harassment and cyberbullying, with particular attention to narcissistic personality expression and interpersonal aggression on digital platforms.

She previously conducted research training at Lehigh University, contributing to projects on product placement and audience attitudes. Her current work explores the psychological implications of AI companionship and the narcissistic dynamics of social and parasocial interaction in online environments.

Izzie holds a B.A. in Broadcasting and Hosting from Hohai University and an M.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Leicester (United Kingdom). Before beginning her doctoral studies at IU, she served as a news presenter at a regional TV station in China and has delivered invited lectures at THISAM (Greece), Xi’an Jiaotong–Liverpool University, and Hohai University, among others.

Outside of academia, she is an avid music lover, with a particular appreciation for classical music, Bach being her favorite composer. She plays the piano and has earned a Level 8 certification in Chinese folk vocal performance, having inherited her musical talent from her father and grandfather. She also enjoys writing and has self-published a book titled Serendipitous Moments, a personal travel collection documenting her journeys through more than twenty countries. In her everyday life, she appreciates museums, cross-cultural arts, and quiet moments of reading and reflection over a cup of coffee.

Recent Publications 

Zhou, Y. Product Placement in Films: A Comparative Study of American and Chinese Consumers’ Attitudes.