Chen

About: Dr. Zifei "Fay" Chen (MA '13) teaches public relations and advertising theory and corporate communication. Her research foci include corporate social responsibility and advocacy, startup and entrepreneurial communication, digital communication, and prosocial communication.

View Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D. in Communication, University of Miami

M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, 2013

B.A. in English Language & Literature with minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Zhejiang University, China

Research Interests and Activities

Dr. Chen’s research agenda focuses on corporate communications, including corporate social responsibility and advocacy, startup and entrepreneurial PR, the evolving role of digital technologies such as AI in PR, and prosocial communication. Her work has been published in Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, New Media and Society, and Journal of Product and Brand Management, among others. She is co-author of the book Strategic Communication for Startups and Entrepreneurs in China (Routledge Taylor & Francis).

Teaching Specialties

Dr. Chen’s teaching areas include public relations and advertising theory, corporate communication, campaigns, and digital strategies.

Experience

Prior to joining UGA, Dr. Chen was a professor at the University of San Francisco for eight years, where she served as director of the public relations minor program, founding faculty advisor of PRSSA, and co-director of the Center for Research, Artistic, and Scholarly Excellence. Dr. Chen is also a communication consultant and coach, providing workshops, coaching sessions, and strategic guidance for corporate and nonprofit clients on public speaking, executive presence, internal communication, and cross-cultural communication. She is a Page Up member of the Arthur W. Page Society and an ELEVATE member of Institute for Public Relations.

Awards and Fellowships

• Outstanding Reviewer Award, Journal of Communication Management, 2024
• The Arthur W. Page Center Legacy Scholar, 2017, 2023, 2024
• The Waterhouse Family Institute Research Grant, 2023
• Sarlo Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award, University of San Francisco, 2023
• Woman of the Year, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, 2022
• Boston University Award for the Top Paper about Public Relations and the Social and Emerging Media, International Public Relations Research Conference, 2022
• Innovation in Teaching with Technology Award, University of San Francisco, 2020
• Top Faculty Paper Award, Public Relations Division, International Communication Association Conference, 2020
• Top Faculty Research Paper Award, Public Relations Society of America Educators Academy Super Saturday Conference, 2019
• Prime Research Award, International Public Relations Research Conference & Prime Research, 2018