Hello! I’m Da-young Kang, and I’m excited to welcome you to my blog. I studied Psychology in both my Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. Currently, I am a Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) and a Graduate Fellow in the College of Communication & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama (UA). My specialization within this fascinating field is Public Relations.
My current research interests primarily focus on strategic communication in immersive digital media (e.g., the metaverse and virtual reality). My current research centers on the roles of immersive media in relationship-building between organizations and their stakeholders. My second research agenda revolves around risk communication in digital immersive media, especially in health and natural disaster crises. Methodologically, I enjoy studying and applying various quantitative research approaches and statistical analyses, encompassing content analysis, experimental designs, surveys, text mining analysis, and computational analysis.
I also have participated in various courses in advertising and public relations at UA. I was an instructor of record of Public Relations Campaigns for two semesters. As part of the class, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a local business to organize on- and off-campus events to promote their products. It was a rewarding experience for me to bridge student agencies and local businesses. Currently, I am working as a teaching assistant for an online course, Viral Communication.
Beyond my academic pursuits, I’ve taken on the role of a native-speaking mentor at the Critical Language Center at UA, where I teach the Korean language. I am enjoying learning from students through interactions in the classroom. As for my personal interests, I’ve recently developed a newfound passion for swimming, having learned how to swim this summer. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to sharing more about my journey with you!