Weiting Du

Email: wd12@illinois.edu

Research Interests

Weiting Du is a first-year Ph.D. student at the Institute of Communications Research. Weiting’s research interests encompass media effects and risk communication under the context of climate change, with a particular interest in climate inactions. In parallel, Weiting explores how contemporary visual imagery represents the complex interplay between human-environment relationships, collective memories, and broader societal issues. 

Weiting's past research covers topics such as the social power of photography in China and persuasive health messages. Prior to joining ICR, Weiting earned his master's degree in journalism from Michigan State University, specializing in science and environmental journalism, and holds a bachelor's degree in ecological environmental engineering from Chongqing University.
 

Recent Publications/Presentations

Du, W., Sanders-Jackson, A., Neumann, D., & Tan, A. (2022, May 26-30). The effects of applying visual cues in culturally tailored anti-smoking messages for sexual minority women. Presented at the 72nd Annual ICA Conference, Paris, France (virtual session). 

Du, W. (2021, June 19). The Desert Protector: How did an environmental photojournalist trigger a storm of environmental protection in China. Presented at the 35th Annual Visual Communication Conference, Cannon Beach, Oregon, United States.
 

Courses Taught

• JOUR 205 History of American Journalism
   

What Most People Don’t Know about Me

I love Not to Be Reproduced (1937), On Fire (1989), and The Shadow Play (2018).