Ashley Phelps studies vaccine hesitancy and how message factors affect message reception and motivation towards behavioral change. As a member of The Change Making Media Center, Phelps has helped produce three short narrative films promoting COVID-19 vaccination: Of Reasons and Rumors, Happy Birthday, Granny, and Team Player. Prior to her doctoral program, Phelps worked in health care operations. She holds a BA in diplomacy and world affairs from Occidental College and a master of public health from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.