A Causal Inference Institute in Communication Studies
Organizers: Shuning Lu, Ewa Maslowska, Harsh Taneja
This pre-conference builds on the momentum of the successful 2025 Blue Sky Workshop on causal inference. This event will move beyond introductory concepts to address practical applications and facilitate advanced discussions, with a focus on showcasing emerging scholarship.
Schedule Details
Welcome and Introduction
The Diffusion of Design-Based Causal Inference Methods Across Social Science Disciplines
King-wa Fu & Dai Fankai
About the Speaker: King-wa FU is a Professor at the School of Future Media, The University of Hong Kong.
Coffee break
Promise and Perils of Quasi-Experimental Design
The Example of Regression Discontinuity Design
This workshop discusses quasi-experimental designs as important tools for elevating communication theory through rigorous causal inference, followed by a practical deep dive into Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD).
Workshop Leader: Tian Yang, Assistant Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Coffee break
Application of Causality to Understanding Attention Dynamics
Using Influencers to Divert Attention from Corporate Crises
Jiacheng Huang
Testimonial Visuality and Credibility Judgments
Eloisa Klein
Crisis, Communication, and Online Prosociality
Mingxuan Liu
Break
Causal Validity & Innovation in Communication Research
Sequential Randomization in Survey Experiment
Shuning Lu
Mitigating Confounder Bias in Visual Media Effects
Xinyi Liu
Linking Digital Trace with Survey Data
Jack Lipei Tang
Thinking Causally with Digital Trace Data in Linkage Designs
Yangliu Fan
Closing Remarks
Open floor discussions and closing remarks.