Claire Joa

Claire Joa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communications at the University of West Georgia, part of the School of Communication, Film, and Media. Her research focuses on media effects in digital and social media contexts, particularly behavioral contagion, self-directed learning, and emerging technologies’ impact on health and learning. She employs mixed methods including social big data analysis and network analysis. Her work appears in journals like Computers in Human Behavior and Journal of Interactive Advertising.

Education:

• B.A., Mass Communications, Sogang University (2007)
• M.A., Mass Communications, Sogang University (2009)
• Ph.D., Media and Communication, Bowling Green State University (2017)

Research Interests: Joa’s work explores how social media influences behavior and learning. Key areas include the role of platforms like Instagram and YouTube in recruitment, health education, and self-directed learning. She examines issues like sentiment contagion during elections, algorithmic recommendation impacts, and technology adoption across demographics. Her studies often combine quantitative methods with network and sentiment analysis.

Teaching: She teaches courses such as Digital Media Industries, Digital Social Media & Society, and Research Methods in Digital & Social Media Communication. Recent course sections span Fall 2025 through Spring 2025.

Publications: Her recent work addresses topics like Instagram’s role in hiring, marijuana use perceptions among college students, and YouTube’s influence on self-directed learning. Her research highlights trends in platform-specific communication, health-related messaging, and generational technology adoption differences.