My research focuses on the topics of authenticity and aesthetics. I examine how brands effectively convey brand authenticity to consumers, and how beauty standards and body modification techniques such as cosmetics and filters on social media platforms influence perceived authenticity and consumer well-being.
My work has been published in both marketing and psychology academic journals such as the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and Cognition. I have also published in popular press outlets such as Character and Context, Oxford University Press Blog, and the Harvard Business Review.
I grew up in Lexington, KY and completed a B.A. in Art from Yale University and a PhD in Marketing from the Yale School of Management. Prior to joining Gies, I was an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia.
contact: roksmith@illinois.edu
