Prof. Shouxin Zhang specializes in research on media use and its social effects. His recent studies have focused on intelligent communication and its impact on social engagement, the value of algorithmically recommended information, digital journalism and media transformation, and discourse identity in international communication. By employing a wide range of interdisciplinary perspectives and mixed methods, Prof. Zhang aims to uncover the characteristics and mechanisms of young people's physical bodies, attitudes, and cultural practices in the context of intelligent media use. He explores the systematic influence of media technological changes on media ecology, social structures, and individual actions. For instance, by introducing smart measurement tools, he has conducted experimental research on the phenomenon of prolonged smartphone use before bedtime, discovering the multifaceted impacts of smart device usage on individuals' sleep patterns, including time of falling sleep and sleep structure. He proposed the concept of the "inertia body" to explain the complex interaction between intelligent communication engagement and individual sleep quality. Furthermore, Prof. Zhang is exploring the key mechanisms by which recommendation algorithms impact the values of young people and is attempting to propose effective regulatory frameworks. His research has been published in esteemed journals, including Modern Communication, Journalism Research, China Publishing Journal, Chinese Editor Jouranl, and Modern Publishing, among others.
