Keynotes

Prof. Minamizawa holds a doctoral degree in Information Technology from the University of Tokyo, specializing in haptic and embodied media research, virtual and augmented reality, and human-computer interaction design. Since joining the Keio University Graduate School of Media Design, Prof. Minamizawa has undertaken various projects related to haptic media, delving into the utilization of digital technology to convey, enhance, and create human experiences, with applications in social development.

He is actively involved in promoting activities related to sensory design and has led the university’s advanced smart robot development project. His research expertise aligns well with the future technologies to be discussed at this symposium. In this symposium, we hope Prof. Minamizawa can share his latest research findings, and anticipate substantial benefits and inspirations for students and faculty in the fields of humanities, social sciences, and computer science related to HCI. This collaboration aims to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue, broaden participants’ perspectives, and enhance awareness of the applications of emerging technologies.

Prof. Jeong holds master's and doctoral degrees in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. He currently teaches courses on persuasive communication and strategic communication research at the Department of Media and Communication and the Graduate School of Media Studies at Korea University. During his tenure, he also served as a visiting professor at the MD Anderson Cancer Center of the University of Texas, where he conducted research on medical and health communication.

Prof. Jeong’s research focuses on communication strategy and media effects in a multi-media, multitasking environment. His recent work explores how message effectiveness varies by communicator, content, and medium, and he has developed evidence-based strategies applied by major government agencies, including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Ministry of Environment. He also examines how individuals can improve their digital literacy and fact-checking skills to critically evaluate misinformation such as fake news, deepfakes, and false advertising. Drawing on these insights, he has contributed to media literacy advancement through national projects with the Korea Press Foundation and the Viewers’ Media Foundation.

Kenneth Paul TAN is a tenured Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, which hired him under its Talent100 initiative in February 2021. He teaches courses at the Academy of Film and Department of Government and International Studies, and conducts interdisciplinary research at the School of Communication, Global Communication and Power Research Cluster, and Smart Society Lab.

Previously, he was a tenured Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School). He was Vice Dean of the LKY School during the most rapid and critical years of its growth and served in its senior leadership team for almost a decade. Prior to that, he taught concurrently at the NUS Political Science Department (where he was Assistant Head) and the University Scholars Programme, the university's pioneering and cutting-edge liberal arts programme.

Dr. Yi-Ru Regina Chen (PhD, MA: University of Maryland, College Park) is a professor in public relations. Her research focuses on how public relations can bring mutual values to various organizations (corporations, NPOs, governments) and their stakeholders via strategic communication, especially in the context of greater China. Her research interests include shared value creation, stakeholder engagement in mediated social communication and brand communities, and CSR communication strategies and public trust in business among specific stakeholders. Dr. Chen’s work has been published in Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, Computers in Human Behavior, Telematics and Informatics, Information, Communication & Society, Social Science Computer Review, Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, International Journal of Business Communication, American Behavioral Scientist, and International Journal of Strategic Communication.

Dr. Chen serves as the committee chair to oversee the James E. Grunig and Larrisa A. Grunig Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards of the Public Relations Division, International Communication Association (ICA).