Wei Sun

Dr. Wei Sun is a Professor in the Department of Communication, Culture & Media Studies (CCMS) at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Howard University. She is an active scholar, educator, and administrator with a strong focus on intercultural communication, health communication, new media, and social justice. She recently served as Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs (2022–2024) and Director of Graduate Studies (2018–2021), and is currently on sabbatical in Spring 2025.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Communication and Culture, Howard University
• M.A. in Speech Communication, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Sun’s research centers on intercultural communication, health disparities, minority invisibility, and the role of media in shaping public understanding of race, culture, and social justice. She teaches doctoral seminars on topics such as Intercultural Communication, Health Communication, Social Media, and Race, Culture and Social Justice. Her work emphasizes qualitative methods and community-engaged scholarship, particularly among African American, Asian American, and immigrant populations.

Her recent publications (2020–2024) reflect a strong thematic focus on health communication during the pandemic, social stigma, racial justice, and digital activism. Articles explore issues such as vaccine messaging, mental health in marginalized communities, and the impact of social media on social movements. These works are published in journals like Howard Journal of Communications, Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, and Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fulbright Specialist in Communications/Journalism (2018–2021)
• Howard Research Symposium Award – Most Outstanding Presentation (2018)
• Howard Research Symposium Award – Most Outstanding Advisor (2018)
• Junior Faculty Summer Research Fellowship (2017)

Dr. Sun has successfully led multiple funded research projects, including two FDA grants totaling over $750,000, focused on clinical trial participation among Black and Asian Americans and health risks of skin-lightening products. She has advised numerous graduate students, many of whom co-authored her recent publications. As Editor of Communication Reports and guest editor for special journal issues, she plays a key role in shaping scholarly discourse in communication. She has also contributed to teaching innovation, particularly in digital classrooms during the pandemic.

She is actively involved in professional service, having chaired the International and Intercultural Communication Division of the National Communication Association (NCA) and served on NCA’s Legislative Assembly and Doctoral Education Committee. Her leadership and research continue to advance equity and inclusion in communication scholarship and practice.