PhD Candidate | Gender & Technology Researcher | Media & AI Advocate | Publishing & Media Professional

Weijie Huang is a PhD candidate in the Department of Media and Culture Studies at Utrecht University, where she is part of the Inclusive AI/UGlobe project. Under the supervision of Professor Payal Arora and Professor Mara Yerkes, Weijie’s research explores the intersection of gender, gaming, and AI, specifically focusing on how AI technology shapes female players’ representation and experiences in games within the Chinese context. Her project investigates the interaction between players and AI-driven gaming platforms, utilizing social psychology and feminist theories such as belongingness, social support, performative identity, and intersectionality, to provide insights into how AI can enhance inclusivity and equity within digital gaming environments.

Weijie's academic background is in Media and Creative Industries, with a degree from the Erasmus School of History, Culture, and Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam, where she studied audience engagement, media management, and digital culture. Her previous research explored cross-cultural media consumption, esports audience engagement, and government control of creative industries. She has conducted studies on fandom culture on social media, focusing on user engagement on platforms like YouTube, and how esports spectators participate in fandom communities. Additionally, she has analysed the tension between industry innovation and government regulation in the Chinese esports market, providing insights into the region’s gaming ecosystem.

Weijie has a diverse background in media and publishing. She began her career in 2008 as a book editor at Chinese National Geography, contributing to nationally recognised publishing projects and earning professional qualifications. Later, she worked as an editor at Self China Magazine (Condé Nast Group), expanding into new media content creation. In 2017, Weijie ventured into new media entrepreneurship, exploring cross-disciplinary creative work. This experience provides her with a unique perspective on content creation, audience engagement, and the practical challenges of media representation, which now informs her critical analysis of AI in gaming. In 2021, she pursued a Master’s degree at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, focusing on social media, gaming, and esports.

As a professional with a diverse background, Weijie Huang combines extensive experience in media, publishing, and academia. She focuses on the intersection of technology and gender, particularly gender discrimination issues in gaming and artificial intelligence. Her career began as a publishing editor and has spanned content creation, publishing management, international copyright management, and new media operations. Through her work experience in China and internationally, she has developed a deep understanding of cultural differences and their impact on markets and audiences.

As a professional with a diverse background, Weijie Huang combines extensive experience in media, publishing, and academia, focusing on the intersection of technology and gender, particularly gender discrimination issues in gaming and artificial intelligence. Her career has spanned content creation, publishing management, international copyright management, and new media operations. 
Through her work experience in China and internationally, she has developed a deep understanding of cultural differences and their impact on markets and audiences.

Weijie is dedicated to advancing research on technological inclusivity and gender safety frameworks, especially within gaming media and AI. Her cross-cultural background, understanding of global technology governance and copyright management, allows her to navigate international work environments with ease, possessing excellent organisational, strategic thinking, and team collaboration skills.

Project：

March 2025: Gender Data: What is it and why is it important for the future of AI Systems? FES Future of Work project https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/bruessel/21889-20250304.pdf