Lee LaPlaca
M.A.M.C. Research & Theory
Lee LaPlaca is a second-year Research and Theory master’s student in the Department of Public Relations at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communcations. She is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Media Writing course in the Department of Media Production, Management, and Technology. She was previously a Research Assistant for the STEM Translational Communication Center (STCC). Her work in the College has covered a wide range of projects since beginning her undergraduate studies at UF in 2020.
Lee is currently studying the influence of generative AI tools and machine-created content on different audiences. Her research integrates data science, digital culture, and media psychology to understand perceptions of AI-generated creative work. She has co-authored research on news media, clickbait, Instagram authenticity, production quality, and persuasion. Her collaborations have been presented at conferences and symposiums around the world.
Education
B.S., Public Relations, University of Florida, 2024
B.A., Art History, University of Florida, 2024
News
Research
Presentations
Zemach, E., Johnson, B. K., LaPlaca, L., Arnold, I., Dewhurst, I. R., Vollmer, B., Hampton, C. N., Mueller, S., Lee, S. S., & Pittman, M. (June 2024). Production quality as a cue for credibility, authenticity, and persuasion: Perceptions of brand-related videos on Instagram [Poster presentation]. International Communication Association 74th Annual Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.
Bernstein, A., Chen, H., LaPlaca, L., Liu, S., Zhang, Z., & Shin, J. (April 2022).
How common and effective is clickbait news? [Poster presentation]. Data Science & Informatics (DSI) Symposium, University of Florida.
Research Interests
Advertising
Consumer Insights
Digital Marketing
Machine Learning
Media Psychology
Pop Culture
Public Relations
Social Media
Presentations
Zemach, E., Johnson, B. K., LaPlaca, L., Arnold, I., Dewhurst, I. R., Vollmer, B., Hampton, C. N., Mueller, S., Lee, S. S., & Pittman, M. (June 2024). Production quality as a cue for credibility, authenticity, and persuasion: Perceptions of brand-related videos on Instagram [Poster presentation]. International Communication Association 74th Annual Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.
Bernstein, A., Chen, H., LaPlaca, L., Liu, S., Zhang, Z., & Shin, J. (April 2022).
How common and effective is clickbait news? [Poster presentation]. Data Science & Informatics (DSI) Symposium, University of Florida.
Research Interests
Advertising
Consumer Insights
Digital Marketing
Machine Learning
Media Psychology
Pop Culture
Public Relations
Social Media