Shuyang Qu

Dr. Shuyang Qu serves as an Associate Professor at Iowa State University, specializing in agricultural communication. Her research focuses on media literacy, public opinion dynamics, and the effectiveness of agricultural communication strategies. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature from South-Central University for Nationalities (China), an MS in Mass Communication from Iowa State University’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Communication from the University of Florida’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.

Her work bridges communication theory and practical applications in agriculture, including analyzing media framing of trade disputes (e.g., US-China trade wars), evaluating online communication tools for agricultural education, and assessing farmers' perceptions of policy impacts. Dr. Qu’s research often intersects with global agricultural challenges, such as sustainability practices in China and Africa, and the role of media in disseminating agricultural innovations.

Key research themes include:

• Trade policy communication and farmer decision-making
• Media’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices
• Systems thinking in nutrition and dietetics education

Her publications frequently explore interdisciplinary approaches to agricultural communication, including the use of heat maps for communication material usability testing, the impact of animated infographics on environmental education, and the intersection of gender and information access in African farming communities.