Shirley Xue Yang, PhD

Dr Shirley Xue Yang is a feminist media scholar with a PhD in Media and Communication from the University of Leicester, UK. Her research focuses on celebrity, feminism, digital activism, intersectionality (sexuality, class, and race), and feminist debates across East and West. Her work has been published in leading international journals such as Feminist Media Studies, Celebrity Studies, International Feminist Journal of Politics. ​

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Dr Yang possesses over a decade of distinguished professional experience in the cultural and creative industries, having held senior managerial positions at globally renowned advertising agencies in Shanghai. She has successfully conceptualised, directed, and implemented high-profile strategic marketing and communication campaigns for leading international brands such as Nike, Decathlon, TMALL, Tencent, Certina S.A., XBOX ONE, L'Oréal, and Pizza Hut. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Management, a Master’s in Mass Communication, and a PhD specialising in media and cultural studies, Dr Yang uniquely integrates extensive commercial acumen with rigorous academic scholarship, providing exceptional interdisciplinary teaching expertise across fields including media studies, cultural analysis, marketing communication, and business and management.

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Dr Yang combines advanced theoretical insights with substantial practical experience in media, marketing, and strategic communication, consistently bridging academia and industry. Her work emphasises critical thinking, methodological rigour, and real-world relevance, fostering an inclusive and globally informed perspective shaped by extensive cross-cultural experiences in China and the UK.