Mengyu Li

Read Mengyu Li’s hiring announcement and faculty directory page.

Quick Facts

• Research focuses on media technology and its societal impacts, but also specializes in data analytics, AI, media and communication and computational research methods
• Earned a bachelor’s degree from Renmin University of China, an M.A. in Global Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, an M.Phil. in Communication Studies from Hong Kong Baptist University and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

What classes will you be teaching?

JOU/RTV 3440 Understanding Audiences

What is your area of expertise?

I study how people perceive, communicate, and interact across emerging media environments. My research investigates how these individual communication processes generate communication flows that shape collective dynamics and social change, using computational and quantitative methods.

Significant other, children, pets?

My husband, Yuetian, is an assistant professor of statistics. No pets yet, but we have plenty of houseplants!

What accomplishments, personal or professional, are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of turning my curiosity into a career. Becoming a faculty member means I get to spend my time studying questions I genuinely care about while mentoring students to pursue their own ideas. That’s something I never take for granted.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Any hobbies?

Outside of work, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes, playing badminton, and exploring new hobbies. Most recently, I’ve been learning chess. I’m still a beginner, but I’m having a lot of fun with it.

What is your favorite piece of media (book, movie, show, game)?

I’m a big fan of sitcoms, especially Modern Family. It’s one of those shows I can always come back to when I need a good laugh.

What advice would you give to a student just getting started in your area of expertise?

Stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions that seem too simple or too ambitious. Some of the most meaningful research starts with noticing something ordinary and asking why it happens.

Who is your hero or biggest inspiration (alive or historical)?

My family, especially my parents, grandmother, and husband. Their unwavering support has given me the confidence to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.

What three things don’t we know about you?

• I can handle almost any level of spicy food, and I’m on a mission to find the best spicy food in Gainesville.
• I grew up in Tianjin, a coastal city in northern China known for its seafood. Between the seafood and the hot, humid summers, Gainesville feels more familiar than I expected.
• I’ve recently gotten into AI-assisted “vibe coding”, using AI to build little tools that make my research a bit easier.