12 December 2025
22 September 2025
Department of Physics Publishes in Classical and Quantum Gravity →
10 September 2025
15 July 2025
20 September 2023
****************************************************
Dr. Chen Lei Publishes in Social Media + Society
Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Asst. Prof. Dr. Chen Lei from the School of Communication on his recent research article published in Social Media + Society, a SSCI Q1 journal with the latest impact factor of 6.8.Dr. Chen Lei is the first author of the paper, co-authoring with Asst. Prof. Dr. Kim Sang Jun and Ms. Zhou Kun, a PhD candidate, both from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa, USA.Titled "'You Are Not Fat': The Postfeminist Contradiction in #RejectBodyAnxiety - A Computationally Assisted Critical Thematic Analysis", the research explores whether and how postfeminism - a dominant way in which contemporary women understand empowerment - has evolved in the context of increasing self-expression by ordinary women through short-form video on social media. Using a computationally assisted critical thematic analysis of 1,915 posts from a body-positivity hashtag on RedNote (Xiaohongshu) with over 540 million views, it identifies a new iteration of postfeminism, showing how such discourse simultaneously enables new forms of empowerment while reinforcing subtle modes of discipline.https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051261419392This research was supported by the Arts and Humanities Initiative (AHI) program at the University of Iowa.Dr. Chen Lei is currently an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication at Xiamen University Malaysia. His research interests include online discourse, digital media, global communication, health communication, and computational approaches. Prior to joining XMUM, he received his PhD from the University of Iowa and conducted teaching and research in both China and the United States.
XMUM Joins International Media Conference as Academic Partner
During 23 to 24 March 2026, the 11th World Conference on Media and Mass Communication (MEDCOM 2026) was successfully held in Bali, Indonesia, bringing together 196 participants from 41 countries and regions. The event served as a vibrant platform for scholarly exchange on emerging issues and future directions in media and communication studies.The School of Communication, Xiamen University Malaysia, participated as an Academic Partner of the conference. Prof. Wang Changsong, Dean of the School of Communication, attended the conference and contributed as a member of the evaluation panel, engaging in scholarly assessment and dialogue with researchers from diverse backgrounds. Since 2019, the School of Communication has served as a co-host and academic partner of the Conference.Under the theme “Rethinking Media Future: Sustainability, Resistance, and Communication Justice”, MEDCOM 2026 addressed critical challenges facing contemporary media ecosystems, including issues of equity, power, and ethical responsibility in global communication.Among the distinguished keynote speakers was Daya Thussu, President of International Association for Media and Communication Research. In his keynote address titled “Intellectual Imperialism: Artificial or Real”, he offered a thought-provoking reflection on the evolving relationship between human intellect and artificial intelligence, questioning the boundaries between technological advancement and authentic intellectual engagement in the digital age.
XMUM Project Among Only Two Selected Nationwide for PPRN 2026 Presentation
A research project from the STARGAZE Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) was selected as one of only two projects nationwide for featured presentation at the Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) Conference 2026, officiated by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir. Image Held at the Wyndham Grand Bangsar Kuala Lumpur and organised by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), the conference serves as a national platform for showcasing research collaborations between academia and industry, particularly those with practical applications.At this year’s conference, only two projects across Malaysia were chosen for presentation to the Minister - one from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and one from XMUM - highlighting representation from both public and private universities under the PPRN initiative.The XMUM project, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Jian Ping, focuses on developing a microbial-based approach to enhance the efficiency and consistency of bio-organic fertilizer production. Conducted in collaboration with Edafos Agro PLT, the project aims to improve composting processes while ensuring higher product quality.The project was showcased on the main conference screen as part of the featured presentations reviewed by the Minister. In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Jian Ping was invited as a speaker for Forum 2, titled "Kejayaan PPRN: Daripada Penyelidikan kepada Industri", where he shared insights on translating research outcomes into industry applications alongside representatives from USM.Another project from XMUM's STARGAZE CoE, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ban Zhen Hong, was also presented at the exhibition booth. Collaborated ECORYS SDN BHD and coordinated by Tan Wan Ting, the project applies CFD simulations, real-time data, and weather forecasting to optimise fertilizer application in durian farming, aiming to improve yield while reducing environmental impact through precise fertigation.During his visit to the exhibition area, the Minister stopped by the XMUM booth, where he engaged with the research team and gained a closer understanding of the projects and their real-world applications. Image