Alice Ji

I am a PhD student in Communication and Media at the Institute of Communications Research , University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign .

My research examines how digital interface design shapes attention, affect, and persuasion, with a focus on emerging mediated agents such as influencers and AI-generated personas.

I draw on media psychology, communication theory, and human–computer interaction to study how perceptions of human-likeness, corporeality, and authenticity shape trust, engagement, and behavioral outcomes in digital environments.

Interface Design and Persuasion

I study how interface design and platform affordances structure social cognition and persuasion. My work examines how seemingly small design choices: layout, affordances, and interaction constraints, shape attention, emotional response, and judgment over time.

Mediated Agents and Authenticity

A central focus of my research is how people make sense of mediated agents, including influencers and AI-generated personas. I am particularly interested in mind perception, embodiment, and authenticity, and how these perceptions shape parasocial relationships, trust, and persuasion outcomes.

Methods and Measurement

Methodologically, I integrate experimental design with fine-grained behavioral and biometric measures. I develop custom interactive stimuli (e.g., simulated social media feeds and streaming interfaces) and pair them with eye-tracking, facial-emotion analysis, and behavioral telemetry to capture moment-to-moment media effects beyond self-report.

Teaching, Mentorship, and Service

I have experience teaching undergraduate courses in advertising, media studies, and data literacy, including serving as Instructor of Record for courses on social media analytics and digital technologies. I am committed to inclusive, research-informed pedagogy and have completed formal training through the UIUC Grad Academy for College Teaching.

Additionally, I actively contribute to the field through undergraduate research mentorship and peer review for conferences and journals, including the Journal of Advertising, Health Communication, and Convergence.

My work contributes to broader debates about how evolving media forms reorganize the conditions under which influence operates.