HPV is the world’s most prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Nearly 90% of sexually active adults, both female and male, will become infected with HPV at least once in their lifetime. Research has found strong links between HPV and cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer.
The HPV vaccine, introduced in 2006, can protect both men and women from HPV-related cancers. Yet, for the past 20 years, the HPV vaccine has mainly been marketed as the ‘cervical cancer vaccine,’ targeting only women and young girls. This gendered approach is unlike any other vaccine communication campaign, and it has resulted in not only gendered misinformation, but also important knowledge and uptake gaps, especially in MSM communities, who are 17 times more likely to develop anal cancer compared to men in heterosexual relationships.
Chi’s PhD project will explore prevalent forms in gendered health misinformation about the HPV vaccine in Vietnam, especially in online spaces. Her work will also explore strategies to bridge the knowledge and uptake gap about the HPV vaccine in underserved populations in Vietnam.
“Access to timely, accurate and evidence-based health information is access to healthcare,” Chi confirms. “I hope that this project will provide evidence-based recommendations to health communication strategies moving forward, so that nobody is left behind.”
Before becoming a PhD Student, Chi worked at OUCRU as Senior Communications Officer. Chi’s strength is thematic multimedia storytelling, a critical skill in making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. She combines images, video, and interactive content to craft compelling narratives that elucidate OUCRU’s cutting-edge research and its implications for global health. This approach not only demystifies the science behind OUCRU’s work but also engages and educates a varied audience, from experts in the field to the general public. Chi’s ability to translate intricate scientific data into engaging multimedia experiences significantly contributes to OUCRU’s mission of fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its groundbreaking work in infectious disease research.
As a communication officer, Chi worked to translate OUCRU’s research endeavours into impactful stories and information for a diverse audience, including the scientific community, policymakers, and the public. Her expertise not only enhances OUCRU’s visibility but also supports its mission to improve patient care through infectious disease research in Southeast Asia.
Chi is a 2019-2020 Chevening Scholar (Foreign and Development Office, UK). In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Chi earned her Master of Arts with Distinction in Digital Media, Culture, and Society from the University of Brighton, United Kingdom. The experience shaped her worldview and research interests, which focus on the intersection of gender, digital literacy, and health.
