Renwen Zhang

Renwen Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and New Media at the National University of Singapore. Her research focuses on the use and effect of digital technology on well-being. She employs mixed methods to examine how people use digital technology to cope with stress and seek social support. The first strand of her work focuses on technology-mediated social interactions, with emphasis on self-disclosure, social support, and well-being. She conducts mixed methods research to investigate the motives, processes, and outcomes of self-disclosure and privacy management on social media. The second strand of her work focuses on the design, use, and deployment of digital health technology. She has collaborated with clinical psychologists to examine the effects of mental health apps on the reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Renwen holds a Ph.D. in Media, Technology, and Society from Northwestern University. She also received an M.Phil. in Communication from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a B.A. in International Journalism with a Minor in English Language & Literature from Shanghai International Studies University.

Research Interests

• Social Media and Online Community
• Self-Disclosure and Privacy
• Mental Health and Well-Being
• Mobile Health (mHealth)
• Human-Computer Interaction