Emily K. McKinley

PhD Candidate, Communication and Computational Social Science


Curriculum vitae


Department of Communication

University of California, Davis



Emily K. McKinley

PhD Candidate, Communication and Computational Social Science


Contact

Emily K. McKinley

PhD Candidate, Communication and Computational Social Science


Curriculum vitae


Department of Communication

University of California, Davis




About


Welcome! I am a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Davis. My research program advances strategic communication through quantitative research methods and computational innovation. I develop AI-powered tools and methods that enable researchers to test persuasive strategies at scale, identify modifiable beliefs for targeted interventions, and create data-driven strategic communication campaigns, while establishing rigorous standards for when and how these tools and methods can be deployed. My work addresses fundamental questions about human-AI interaction while creating practical interventions for public health challenges and pro-social applications.

Before pursuing my PhD, I spent over five years in consumer research and customer experience management, including roles as Director of Customer Experience at Cotopaxi , Customer Research Manager at Maverik, Inc, and Director of Operations at Gigi Pip. This industry experience fundamentally shapes how I approach research and teaching. I'm committed to bridging theory with practice, and I actively maintain industry connections to create opportunities for students through guest speakers and internship partnerships.

Beyond research and teaching, I'm a proud member of "momademia." My dinosaur-loving toddler keeps me grounded and reminds me daily why accessible, human-centered work matters. In my free time, my family enjoys the outdoors through mountain biking, skiing, and canyoneering.
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