Research Papers
In my Information and Society class, I chose to research misinformation, disinformation, fake news, social media bots, and digital literacy. To achieve this, I gathered relevant journal articles, news articles, and posts for reference and analysis. While the focus of the paper was primarily dedicated to Twitter, I addressed misinformation policies on other platforms such as Twitch and Facebook. Although this paper was completed in December 2022, there is still a continuous growth of misinformation on social media, and the arguments mentioned are still relevant today.
In my Understanding Virtual Reality (VR) class, I explored the topic of empathy in the world of VR. I conducted comprehensive research by gathering studies, articles, and first-hand experiences to explore the psychological, emotional, and societal impacts VR may have on users. After a semester of VR analysis, I utilized my prior and first-hand knowledge to evaluate the relationship between empathy and user experience in VR. Despite its potential, VR is not a reliable source for enhancing a user's empathic feelings.
In a Media and Information Research class, a peer and I applied learned research and analysis methods to investigate the impact of “flagging” on Twitter to the distribution of misinformation by users. “Flagging” involves specified Twitter users correcting or adding context to posts to combat fake news. Using a Qualtrics survey, we collected and analyzed the results, concluding that flagging led to a decrease in the spread of misinformation. Since Twitter's rebrand to X, “community notes” are very prevalent and appear to have a similar effect to flagging.
Academic Projects
Information Technology Project Management
As part of a team, our objective was to improve a company's engagement and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) through strategic planning. Working alongside peers and an established business, we applied project management principles and processes to develop documents and reports focused on enhancing business visibility through backlinking and keyword optimization.
Social Media Management - East Lansing Film Festival (ELFF)
After assuming the leadership role in managing the ELFF Twitter account, I collaborated with a group of peers to develop social media strategies to improve engagement and awareness of the event. Using both informational and transformational posts, we applied our strategies and improved engagement on the platform. Additionally, I updated various aspects of the event, including the Twitter and Linktree for ELFF.