Department of Communication Abstracts

Presenter(s): Abigail Blackman, Christian Dash, Samai Hillaire, Rocco Mareno, Kainoa Martin, Pia Martinez, George McFarland, Estefani Mejia, Nick Schrom, Nicole Vasquez, Coltrane Williams

Showcase Advisor: Lin Lin

Moderator: Lin Lin

Abstract: This panel discussion highlights the student-led Donate Life campaign developed in the Communication Campaign Practicum at the University at Albany. Students will present the goals and strategies behind their campaign, followed by a conversation with student team members and representatives from the Center for Donation and Transplant about promoting organ donation awareness among college students. The discussion will explore the role of storytelling, peer engagement, and social media in encouraging donor registration, as well as the impact of university–community partnerships in advancing public health initiatives.

Presenter(s): Youyou Li

Showcase Advisor: Alan Zemel

Abstract: Location-based applications increasingly guide navigation by displaying digital representations of space and providing cues about users’ positions. Much research assumes the presence of visible environmental landmarks that allow users to align device displays with what they see in the environment. This paper examines how people establish arrival when a destination is digitally defined lacking a visible landmark. Drawing on video recordings of two participants navigating an orienteering course using the mobile application UsynligO, the study analyzes how device signals, maps, and terrain features are used together to locate a control point. Using ethnomethodologically informed conversation analysis (EMCA), the analysis examines a short sequence in which participants confirm the arrival of the first control. The findings show that arrival is not automatically produced by the device but is interactionally accomplished through sequential practices of interpreting device signals, establishing map-environment correspondences, and confirming arrival through the device alert.

Presenter(s): Pallavi Khurana

Showcase Advisor: Archana Krishnan

Abstract: Hashtags are integral to conversations and discussions on social media and are used to communicate emotions and meaning. However, little is known about how hashtags form impressions of social media users' personalities, credibility, and attractiveness. This study utilizes Social Information Processing Theory (SIPT) to examine if impressions can be formed about the sender based on their use of hashtags on social media. A between-subjects post-test-only experimental design was implemented in which participants (N = 322) viewed mock Instagram posts that differed in the number of hashtags utilized (low vs. high) and framing (positive, negative, neutral) and completed assessments on source perceptions of extraversion, neuroticism, narcissism, trustworthiness, and social attractiveness. Posts with a high number of positive hashtags were associated with higher perceptions of extraversion. Posts with positive hashtags made the source perceived as more socially attractive and trustworthy than those with neutral and negative hashtags.

Presenter(s): Alexandra Stankus

Showcase Advisor: Archana Krishnan

Abstract: We examine disclosure of sponsored content for health supplement products. A content analysis of 417 Instagram posts was conducted to assess: presence of senders’ health-related credentials; type of product promoted; sponsorship label; and reliance on heuristics or reasoning. Most products promoted were general dietary supplements (36.7%) or athletic performance supplements (23%). Most posts (61.4%) did not list senders’ health-related credentials, and more than half (57.3%) did not explicitly indicate that they were sponsored. Heuristics were primarily used (52%) and provided information in the form of personal claims (30.5%). An association was found between presence of health-related credentials and presence of sponsored label. Findings suggest product promotion is not often labeled as sponsored content and few SMIs possess health-related credentials. High reliance on peripheral route processing suggests little information is provided to consumers, and with reliance on source credibility cues and heuristics to promote branded health supplements.