Education

B.A., Chinese Language and Literature, Hunan Normal University
M.A., Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia
Ph.D., Mass Communications, The Pennsylvania State University

Background

Prior to joining the University of South Carolina, Dr. Anli Xiao was an assistant professor of communication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Research

Xiao's research concentrations include multicultural public relations, global public relations and nonprofit communication. Her research covers important topics such as how nonprofit organizations (NPOs) can enhance social diversity and inclusion by engaging with foreign-born volunteers, the impact of cultures and values on global public relations practices and people’s perceptions and evaluations of corporate social responsibility, how organizations can use digital media to strengthen organization-public relationships and encourage prosocial behaviors as well as native advertising and fake news.

Grants and Funded Research

2018 The Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communications Page and Johnson Legacy Scholar competition ($4,000)
Vafeiadis, M., & Xiao, A.
Fake news on social media: Examining the effects of fake news sources, fake news correction sources, and response message characteristics on stakeholders’ attitudes and donation intentions

2019 FTSCA Research and Enhancement Grant, College of Liberal Arts, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Xiao, A & Maresh-Fuehrer, M.
Positive Fake News: The Impact of Overclaiming and Response Strategies on Reputation and Behavior.

Teaching

Xiao tries to bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world application. Her role in a classroom extends beyond instructing. She assists students to internalize, synthesize and critically examine textbook knowledge by bringing up real cases and examples, introducing diverse opinions, raising challenging questions and stimulating discussions.

Xiao has taught Principles of Public Relations, Research Methodologies, New Media and Communication as well as Persuasion classes at the University of South Carolina and in other institutions.

Recent Publications

Vafeiadis, M., Bortree, D. S., Buckley, C., Diddi, P., & Xiao, A. (2019). Refuting fake news on social media: nonprofits, crisis response strategies and issue involvement. Journal of Product & Brand Management.

Xiao, A., & Overton, H. K. (2018). Examining the impact of value orientations on CSR evaluation and expectations among U.S. and Chinese publics. Public Relations Journal, 11(4), 1-24.

Xiao, A., Overton, H. K. & Li, R. (2018). Communicating with nonprofit publics in China: Applying the RISP model to prosocial intentions. Journal of Promotion Management, Advanced online publication. doi: 10.1080/10496491.2018.1427653

Ott, H. K. & Xiao, A. (2017). Examining the role of culture in shaping public expectations of CSR communication in the United States and China. Asian Journal of Public Relations, 1(1), 57-83.

Harrison, V., Xiao, A., Ott, H. K. & Bortree, D. S. (2017). Calling all volunteers: The role of stewardship and involvement in volunteer-organization relationships. Public Relations Review, 43(4), 872-881.

Service

• Member, the International Committee, School of Journalism and Mass Communications (2019)
• Reviewer, Journal of Promotion Management (2018)
• Reviewer, Public Relations Review (2018)
• Committee member, social event committee, Public Relations Division, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (2018)
• Volunteer, Public Relations Society of America Educators Academy, Super Saturday Conference (2018)