Elaine Jing Zhao

Associate Professor Elaine Jing Zhao is based at the School of the Arts and Media, University of New South Wales, with expertise in digital media economies, cultural production, and platform governance in transitional China and the Asia-Pacific region. She authored the monograph Digital China's Informal Circuits: Platforms, Labour and Governance and publishes in journals like New Media and Society and Global Media and Communication.

• Research Focus: Cultural implications of digital platforms, media globalization, and creative labor dynamics
• Editorial Roles: Board member, Communication Research and Practice; reviewer for ARC grants and international journals

Her research portfolio emphasizes platform governance, digital media policy, and cultural innovation in China's digital economy. Recent projects examine China's platform internationalization and informal media economies. She supervises PhD candidates in these areas and has secured funding from both Australian Research Council and National Social Science Foundation of China.

Scientific Awards:

• 2020 Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences Dean's Research Award for Best Monograph
• 2018 ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowship Mentoring Scheme Award
• 2012 Australia-China Youth Dialogue Delegate
• 2010 Oxford Internet Institute Summer Doctoral Programme Participant

She contributes to digital China scholarship through the Anthem book series and previously worked in the telecom and mobile internet industry before her academic career. Her work bridges sociocultural analysis and platform economy research.