About
Associate Professor
Department of Communication
Seoul National University
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Welcome to my website. I am Soo Yun Shin, Associate Professor at the Department of Communication, Seoul National University. I explore how AI transforms the way people communicate—how it helps us express ourselves, manage conflicts, and build understanding online.
I received my Ph.D. in Communication from Michigan State University in 2017, where I worked under the guidance of Professor Joseph Walther. I also hold M.A. in Communication and dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Communication from Seoul National University. Prior to joining Seoul National University in 2022, I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (2018-2021) and a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Michigan State University (2018).
My work has been published in leading journals such as Communication Research, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, New Media & Society, and Digital Journalism. I am always open to collaborations and discussions with fellow researchers and students interested in my research areas.
Current Research Areas
AI-Mediated Communication and Self-Reflection
My research centers on how artificial intelligence reshapes human communication by influencing how people perceive themselves and others. My lab studies AI-induced self-effects—how conversational AI systems affect self-persuasion, self-efficacy, and emotional regulation during social interaction. We explore how AI feedback or chatbot assistance can help users express themselves more constructively, manage conflicts, and sustain civility in online discussions.
Online Hate Norms and Social Networks
I collaborate on projects examining the social foundations of online hate, investigating how perceived norms, empathy, and network structures influence hate expression and tolerance in digital communities. I am particularly interested in how interactions with AI systems—such as automated moderation or generative agents—can reshape these social norms, amplifying or mitigating hostility in networked spaces. Our goal is to understand how technological and social interventions together can transform the ways hostility and civility spread online.
Misinformation, Deepfakes, and Transparency
In parallel, I work with colleagues on projects addressing the credibility and governance of digital information. This line of research focuses on how people evaluate misinformation and AI-generated content such as deepfakes, and how transparency or disclosure mechanisms affect public trust. These studies extend my broader interest in how AI transforms communication—both as a mediator of meaning and as an actor shaping social judgment.
Contact Information
shinsy@snu.ac.kr
Room 407, IBK Communication Center
Seoul National University
Google Scholar
Curriculum Vitae
View my complete curriculum vitae to learn more about my academic background, publications, and professional experience.