Janet Yang

Janet Yang is a Professor in both the Department of Communication and the Department of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. She holds dual appointments within the College of Arts and Sciences, reflecting her interdisciplinary research and teaching expertise.

Education:

• PhD in Communication, Cornell University, 2009
• MA in Communication, Marquette University, 2005
• BA in Journalism, Fudan University, 2003

Research interests focus on science, health, environmental, and risk communication. Her work examines how public perception of risks like PFAS contamination, climate change, and infectious disease outbreaks (e.g., Ebola, monkeypox) is shaped by psychological distance, affective responses, and communication strategies. She explores solutions such as self-affirmation interventions to encourage pro-environmental behaviors like recycling and vaccine acceptance.

Publications emphasize risk communication frameworks (e.g., planned risk information seeking model), narrative persuasion, and policy implications. Recent work highlights the role of personal relevance, conflicting information, and political ideology in shaping public attitudes toward environmental and health risks.

Teaching includes courses like Risk Communication, Health Communication Campaigns, and Science Communication at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Courses span theoretical foundations (Communication Theoretical Foundation) to applied topics (e.g., HPV vaccine messaging).

Current efforts address PFAS contamination communication, climate change engagement, and multicultural health communication challenges in China and the U.S. Her research bridges academic theory with real-world policy and public health interventions.