Krysten Stein

Krysten Nicole Stein

Adjunct Associate Professor

Professional Summary

Krysten Stein (she/her) is a first-generation PhD Candidate in Communication and Media Studies, with concentrations in Gender and Women’s Studies and Black Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with minors in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati. She then furthered her studies, obtaining a Master of Arts in Communication with a graduate certificate in Film and Media Studies, also from the University of Cincinnati.

Broadly, her research explores the sociocultural dimensions of emerging technologies, and converges across four primary areas of inquiry: creator culture and economy, health and wellness, identity and representation, and technology and digital culture. Utilizing qualitative and ethnographic approaches, such as conducting interviews, engaging in participant observation, and analyzing textual and visual materials, she constructs a framework to investigate the influence of digital culture and technology on wellness, identity, and industry.

Initially focused on identity representations in television, Krysten expanded her research scope to social media platforms. She is currently working on her dissertation, which investigates the experiences of mental health practitioners on TikTok and the messages conveyed through their content. This research delves into the influence of algorithmic power, the process of monetization, and performance in relation to mental health, gender, sexuality, and race. It provides an understanding of the interplay of political economy, self-presentation, and digital-mediated therapy. By exploring these critical aspects, she aims to uncover the meanings and implications of this popular form of entertainment within the context of a neoliberal era marked by elevated stress, anxiety, and inadequate mental health care and resources.

Krysten’s research has been published in various academic journals such as Feminist Media Studies, Gender & Society, The International Journal of Communication, Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture, The Popular Culture Studies Journal, and ACM CHI. Furthermore, her work has garnered attention in popular media outlets, including The Guardian, Business Insider, CNN, and Feminist Book Club. She has also shared her research findings at both national and international conferences, such as The International Communication Association (ICA), The Association for Internet Researchers (AoIR), The Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS), and Console-ing Passions.

Active in various roles within the field, Krysten is a UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry Dissertation Fellow, serves as the Social Media Editor for Feminist Media Studies, and works as a research assistant in the MeDem Lab under the guidance of Dr. Tanja Aitamurto. She is also a Global Member of The TikTok Cultures Research Network and has held the position of Student and Early Career Representative for ICA’s Popular Media and Culture division.

As an educator, Krysten embodies an innovative and critical pedagogical approach. She integrates theories and concepts into real-life contexts, fostering a deep excitement for learning and nurturing her students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With over a decade of teaching experience, she has instructed a diverse range of courses, including Effective Public Speaking, Business Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Mass Communication, Communication & Popular Culture, Social Justice & Communication, Gender, Language & Communication, and Introduction to Cooperative Education.

Beyond academia, Krysten finds joy in spending time with her partner, friends, family, and rescue cats, Moses & CeeCee. 

Education

Master of Arts: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio, 2012 (Communication)

Bachelor of Arts: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio, 2011 (Major: Communication Minors: Psychology, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies )

Graduate Certificate: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, 2016 (Film and Media Studies )

PhD: University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, 2024 (Communication, Gender and Women's Studies, Black Studies)