The Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society (MPS) Section will be holding online elections for one chair and two vice-chair positions, for the term 2025 - 2029.
The elections will be held online from 7 to 21 May using the SurveyMonkey platform.
Individual members and representatives of institutional members in good standing, who are also registered as members of the Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society Section by 5 May are eligible vote. Voters will receive a voting link on 7 May.
To verify if you are a member of the MPS Section, log in to your IAMCR account and select “My Sections and Working Groups” from the menu.
View the candidates and read their statements below.
Read about the Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society Section
More information and timeline at https://iamcr.org/s-wg/elections2025
Candidates
For Chair:
- Karolína Šimková, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
- Pengxiang Li (Associate Professor), Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
For Vice-chair:
Statements
For Chair
Karolína Šimková, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
I am a media and communication scholar at Charles University in Prague, currently in the final stage of my PhD, which I plan to finish in autumn 2025. My dissertation project focuses on Czech teachers and their digital and social media use both inside and outside the classroom. My research interests and the projects I am involved in are closely aligned with the focus of the Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society Section.
Alongside my PhD, I’m grateful to be working and learning with amazing colleagues on different research projects. Currently, I’m part of two: MeDeMAP (Horizon Europe), where the Czech team is led by past IAMCR President Nico Carpentier, and WONDRE (ERC Starting Grant), led by Anežka Kuzmičová, who is the first ERC grant holder in the social sciences at Charles University. Since 2021, I’ve also been an editor of the Czech version of the European Journalism Observatory (EJO), an international journalism project that has been around for more than 20 years.
To mention a few other experiences I’ve gained during my PhD: in 2022, I was an intern at the Brussels-based university alliance Coimbra Group, and since March this year, I’ve been coordinating the Media and Area Studies Master’s programme at my faculty. I also have experience with teaching and conference organising, for example with the International Children and Youth Perspectives Conference. I’m aware that I’m still at the beginning of my research career, but I believe I bring not only relevant experience, but also a lot of enthusiasm to contribute to the Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society Section.
Becoming part of the section’s management team would be an exciting and important step for me as an early-career researcher. Two years into my PhD, I attended my first international conference — the IAMCR online conference in Beijing in 2022. The following year, in 2023, I presented our team’s research on young Czech activists in online spaces at the conference in Lyon. That experience really stayed with me — I made professional connections and friendships that continue to this day. I’d like to help create more of those kinds of opportunities for exchange among people with similar research interests.
The idea of being the “glue” that helps keep the community connected and thriving is what motivates me the most to become part of the section’s management. I’d also be very happy to hear ideas and suggestions from other members about what the section needs or what kinds of projects we could work on together. If elected, I’d like to continue the great work that the current management team has done and help the section grow and flourish.
Thank you to all members of the Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society Section for taking the time to read and consider my candidacy. I’m really looking forward to meeting some of you in person this July in Singapore.
Pengxiang Li (Associate Professor), Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
I am connected with the Mediated Communication, Public Opinion and Society section as a regular presenter, the panel chair, and the reviewer. Since my research focus is primarily on mediated-communication, the development of media technologies and societal changes, I have presented in panels of this group many times. I have also served as panel chair, the role that helped me know the details of moderating a panel and provided me with great opportunities to engage deeply with different scholars. Together with the current section chairs, Susanne Eichner and Franziska Thiele, I have recently participated in review tasks for this group, which helped me learn the strategies for maintaining the vitality of this section.
As a member of the academic community, I increasingly realize the importance of giving back to the community, which has motivated me to dedicate myself to service roles. To get more involved in the community I am passionate about, I would like to run for the head of the MPS section. As a frequent memer of this section, I have witnessed diverse perspectives and methods of studying mediatization and public opinion research such as cognitive-behavioral perspective, socio-psychologica perspective, cultural studies, gender studies as well as HCI studies, among others. Therefore, one aspect I would like to focus on is keeping the academical, cultural and geographical inclusiveness and diversity of this section. Another focus is on the rising popularity of generative AI, which has significantly influenced our society. I see a great opportunity to strengthen the development of this section, as a growing body of research has illuminated human-machine communication, and these scholars need a platform within IAMCR. In this sense, the MPS section can also contribute to making IAMCR more dynamic. By emphasizing these aspects, I aim to facilitate networking, collaboration, and participation within our community.
I truly hope that this election will allow us to form a section team that represents broader research fields and more voices, and I will continue to contribute to this section and to IAMCR.
Pengxiang Li (PhD, National University of Singapore) is Associate Professor at Minzu University of China. He has researched mediated-communication from social-psychological perspective since his doctorial studies and published relevant articles in top journals. He is also interested in ICTs and social changes, and has received national grants in these areas.
For Vice-chair
Xiufang (Leah) Li, RMIT University, Australia
I am Xiufang (Leah) Li, an active and innovative scholar in communication and media, with extensive international experience in research, PhD supervision, and teaching across universities in Australia, China, and Singapore. My work has been recognized with prestigious awards in both global and Australian communication fields, such as the ICA Top Faculty Paper Award in the Public Relations Division and the PRIA (now CPRA) Golden Target Award, for Researcher of the Year (Gold Prize). With ICA being the leading global academic association for communication scholars and the Golden Target Awards being Australia's most esteemed industry awards, these honors underscore my excellence and leadership in research and education, and my commitment to advancing the communication field.
My research explores the intersection of public relations and digital communication, focusing on how organisations co-create value and meaning with diverse stakeholders through technology-aided strategic communication. I have published in prestigious journals such as Public Relations Review, The European Journal of Cultural Studies, PLOS ONE, Media International Australia, Global Media and China. I actively collaborate with professional bodies and have a successful track record in leading research project design, securing competitive grants, and executing projects to completion.
I am dedicated to providing high-quality research training, having supervised five PhD students to completion as a Principal Supervisor. These research projects span digital communication, including social media engagement, artificial intelligence, virtual communities, social media influencers, digital storytelling, and its applications in public diplomacy, crisis, sport communication, place branding, and journalism. My PhD candidates have presented at ICA (International Communication Association) conferences, published in Q1 journals, contributed chapters to books, and authored books.
As an internationally recognized Australia-China scholar, I am committed to leveraging my research leadership to foster understanding between Australia and neighbouring countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. I serve on the editorial board of Public Relations Review and the Education and Community Committee of CPRA. These roles afford me invaluable opportunities to collaborate with diverse communities, providing strategic direction and leadership in communication for research, education, and social service, both locally and globally. I am eager to expand my service to a wider community and build a supportive research network to mentor the next generation of researchers.
I hold a PhD in International Communication and Media from Macquarie University. Before joining RMIT University, I taught at Macquarie University and worked as an Associate Professor in Digital Media and Communication at various universities in China, including Guangzhou University. I also served as Program Manager for the former Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) program at RMIT University. My goal is to leverage my commitment to excellent research and teaching to support communities in achieving an
inclusive and sustainable future. This extensive background in research, teaching, and social engagement makes me well-suited to chair the “Mediated Communication, Public Opinion, and Society Section.” If this opportunity is full, I am willing to consider the section of “Crisis, Security and Conflict Communication”. I am passionate about fostering vibrant research communities and enhancing our understanding of communication's role in society.
Xiufang (Leah) Li, PhD
Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University