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Areas of Expertise

• Social Media Analytics & Audience Insights
• AI & ChatGPT in Marketing and Communication
• Crisis Communication & Health Messaging
• Misinformation and Media Literacy
• Digital Strategy & Brand Engagement
• Digital Inequality & The Connectivity Gap
• Global Media and Cross-Cultural Communication

Dr. Laeeq Khan is a tenured professor and founding director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team (SMART) Lab at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ University. He is an award-winning internationally recognized expert on how data and technology are reshaping media, public relations, and strategic communication.

Dr. Khan’s research provides the evidence-based strategies that organizations need to navigate the digital landscape. He decodes audience behavior on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and X to inform effective social media marketing and brand strategy. His work is crucial for understanding crisis communication in the digital age, having extensively studied public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A key focus of his current work is on the ethical adoption and impact of generative AI on marketing, education, and society. He helps demystify how organizations, businesses, and governments can leverage AI tools responsibly while mitigating risks like misinformation.

As a former digital marketing strategist and author for Oxford University Press, Dr. Khan translates complex analytics into actionable insights. He is available to provide expert commentary and analysis on:

• Social media trends and algorithm changes
• Measuring ROI and engagement in digital campaigns
• Corporate reputation management during a crisis
• How AI is changing the advertising and PR industry
• Efforts to combat online misinformation
• The digital divide and its impact on communities

In his own words: "The conversation has moved beyond just counting likes and shares. It's now about understanding the why behind audience engagement, leveraging AI ethically to create compelling content, and building trust in an era of deepfakes and misinformation. The brands and organizations that succeed will be those that use data not just to target audiences, but to truly understand and connect with them."

Dr. Khan's research has been featured in over 60 peer-reviewed publications and commentaries in leading outlets such as USA Today, NPR, The Hill, and Automotive News. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Intersection on Social Media in Society & Culture series from Oxford University Press.

He holds a Ph.D. in Media & Information Studies from Michigan State University and an MBA in Marketing.