معرفی
Zhaoxi Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and East Asian Studies at Trinity University. Born and raised in Kunming, China, she brings a distinctive perspective to her academic work, informed by her background as an award-winning journalist who worked for news organizations in Beijing, Hong Kong, and the United States including Beijing Youth Daily and the South China Morning Post. Prior to joining Trinity, she served as the Academic Affairs Marketing Specialist at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. She is the mother of two children.
Dr. Liu's educational background demonstrates her strong foundation in both Chinese and American academic traditions:
- Ph.D. from the University of Iowa
- M.A. from the University of Missouri
- B.A. from Peking University
Professor Liu's research focuses on the cultural meaning of news and mass media content, media system and change in China, journalism as an occupational culture, and comparative studies of journalism and mass media across cultures. Her scholarly work bridges theoretical communication frameworks with practical insights from her journalistic experience, examining how media professionals navigate political constraints while pursuing professional goals. She has developed the influential 'Aspiration-Frustration-Reconciliation Framework' to explain the experiences of metro newspaper journalists in China.
Her publication record from 2011-2022 reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory with increasing focus on digital media's impact on Chinese journalism. Recent works examine censorship during the pandemic, Chinese viewers' reception of American political shows, and transformations in Chinese hip hop culture. A recurring theme across her scholarship is the tension between state control and creative expression in Chinese media, with particular attention to how digital platforms create new spaces for journalistic practice and cultural production.
Dr. Liu received promotion and tenure at Trinity University for the 2019-20 academic year, recognizing her significant scholarly contributions to the field of communication and journalism studies.
In addition to her research, Professor Liu teaches courses in Mass Communication, Media Writing, and Digital Journalism. Her extensive background as a practicing journalist who has published hundreds of articles across U.S., Chinese, and Hong Kong media outlets informs her teaching approach, providing students with real-world insights into contemporary media practices. She has also contributed as a guest blogger for China Digital Times, extending her scholarly engagement to public discourse.
As an active scholar and educator, Dr. Liu continues to explore the evolving relationship between media, politics, and culture, with particular attention to how digital technologies are transforming journalism practices in both authoritarian and democratic contexts.
