My research interests lie at the intersections of critical discourse studies, feminism, media and cultural studies, and public relations. A key area of my research focuses on the representation and reflection of asymmetrical gender power relations in the Chinese-language social media sphere. I am author of A Feminist Reading of China's Digital Public Sphere (2020, Palgrave Macmillan) and currently co-editing two books: Orchestrated Thinking in Chinese Communications (forthcoming, Routledge) and China, Media and International Conflicts (forthcoming, Routledge). As first or sole author, I have published scholarly articles in international peer-reviewed academic journals, such as Asian Journal of Communication, Convergence, Chinese Journal of Communication, Feminist Media Studies, International Feminist Journal of Politics, International Journal of Communication, Journal of Gender Studies, Media International Australia, Social Semiotics, and Television and New Media. I welcome students who are interested in pursuing a PhD on any of the following topics in the Chinese context and beyond: gender politics in the digital public sphere, digital civic engagement, mediated self-presentation, neoliberal feminism and digital influencers, and techno-feminism.
I am currently Assistant Professor in Intercultural Communication at the University of Warwick and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). Prior to the current appointment, I researched and lectured at the University of the Arts London, Newcastle University, and the University of Liverpool's China campus. I received my PhD in Media and Cultural Studies (2017) from Newcastle University, where I was also awarded an MA in Media and Journalism (2013) with distinction. I delivered a keynote speech at the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Management (28th-29th April 2022, Krirk University, Thailand), offered guest talks at the Communication University of China, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Newcastle University, and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and was interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Agence France-Presse (AFP), Times Higher Education (THE), and USA Today for expert opinions on feminist movements in China. As a freelance social media specialist, I also help higher education institutions to develop optimised digital PR strategies and have previously worked with Bocconi University, the Higher Education Academy, Imperial College London, INTO University Partnerships, Newcastle University, and the Royal Academy of Music on social media campaign projects.
- 'Chen, Meng, 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2022. 'Why do people choose different social media platforms? Linking use motives with social media affordances and personalities. Social Science Computer Review
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 'Gu, Feng, 2021. 'Interface culture and gendered privacy risks in the context of Chinese locative social media use. Social Identities, 27 (1), pp. 59-74
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2021. 'Neoliberal feminism, gender relations, and a feminized male ideal in China : a critical discourse analysis of Mimeng?s WeChat posts. Feminist Media Studies, 21 (1), pp. 115-131
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 'Chen, Shuhan, 2021. 'Traditional Chinese medicine works : a politicised scientific debate in the COVID-19 pandemic. Asian Journal of Communication, 31 (5), pp. 421-435
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2021. 'Gender and the privacy paradox in Chinese college students? locative dating communication. Global Media and China, 6 (2), pp. 225-240
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2021. 'A techno-feminist analysis of beauty app development in China?s high-tech industry. Journal of Gender Studies, 30 (5), pp. 596-608
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 'Hou, Jenny Zhengye, 'KhosraviNik, Majid, 'Zhang, Xiaoxiao, 2021. '?She uses men to boost her career? : Chinese digital cultures and gender stereotypes of female academics in Zhihu discourses. Social Semiotics, pp. 1-19
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2021. 'Amplification of regional discrimination on Chinese news portals : an affective critical discourse analysis. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 27 (5), pp. 1343-1359
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2021. 'Gender essentialism in Chinese reality TV : a case study of you are so beautiful. Television & New Media
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 'Zhang, Ivy Shixin, 'Cummings, James, 'Zhang, Xiaoxiao, 2020. 'Boris Johnson in hospital : a Chinese gaze at Western democracies in the COVID-19 pandemic. Media International Australia, 177 (1), pp. 76-91
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 'Cummings, James, 'Li, Yang, 2020. 'Post-reform gender politics : how do Chinese internet users portray Theresa May on Zhihu. Feminist Media Studies, pp. 1-18
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2019. 'Sharing food photographs on social media : performative Xiaozi lifestyle in Young, middle-class Chinese urbanites? WeChat ?Moments?. Social Identities, 25 (2), pp. 269-287
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2017. 'Affective networks : how WeChat enhances Tencent?s digital business governance. Chinese Journal of Communication, 10 (3), pp. 264-278
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2020. 'A feminist reading of China?s digital public sphere.
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2020. 'Alipay adds ?beauty filters? to face-scan payments : a form of patriarchal control over women?s bodies. Feminist Media Studies, Routledge, pp. 582-585
- 'Peng, Yuzhu (Altman), 2018. 'Review of Television and dating in contemporary China : identities, love, and intimacy. Chinese Journal of Communication, Routledge, pp. 361-363