Kyla's research program broadly examines how social media can benefit or harm users and prosocial movements. She is interested in how cues related to the source of prosocial content can affect audience perceptions of source motives and authenticity, as well as its influence on subsequent behavior and attitudes. To date, her work is primarily situated in the online body positivity movement.

Kyla is interested in topics related to body image, objectification and social comparison, new media technology use and effects, social influence, authenticity, credibility, and prosocial behavior.

Dissertation title: Post to be an ally: An affordance-based approach to exploring the effects of participation in online prosocial movements

Advisor: Dr. David DeAndrea