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New Agendas in Science Communication

A research mini-conference sponsored by the UT College of Communication and hosted by LeeAnn Kahlor and Patricia Stout, Department of Advertising/Public Relations

February 22-23
The LBJ Conference Room, 5.160 CMA

This mini-conference brought together scholars from more than a dozen universities to share their cutting-edge research on the public understanding of science, media coverage of science topics and the rhetoric of science. Their presentations covered four general themes:

• Merging Science Communication Theory and Practice

• Affect, Trust, Hostility and the Media

• Characterization and Meaning-Making in Science

• Science Communication Education

Friday, February 22

4:30 p.m. Keynote reception, LBJ Conference Room, CMA 5.160

5-6 p.m. Keynote: Sharon Dunwoody, University of Wisconsin (Download QuickTime)

Building a Context for the Next Century of Science Communication Research

Sharon Dunwoody, Professor of Journalism & Mass Communication and Associate Dean of Social Studies for the Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin, is a nationally recognized expert on science communication. Her research focuses on science journalism, science-related messages and message effects.

Her impressive leadership roles include:

    • Head of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s section on General Interest in Science and Technology (AAAS)

    • Former president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)

    • Former president of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR)

    • Board member on Radiation Effects Research

    • Advisory committee of The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Office on Public Understanding of Science

    • Fellow of AAAS and MAPOR

Saturday, February 23 (5 Sessions)

8:15-9:45 Session 1: Merging Theory and Practice through Models and Frameworks

    • A Critical Appraisal of Models of Public Understanding of Science: Using Practice to Inform Theory – Dominique Brossard, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin (Download QuickTime)

    • Integrating Temporally Oriented Social Science Models with Community: Based Social Marketing to Influence Environmental Behaviors – Bret Shaw, Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin

    • Framing Science: A New Paradigm in Public Engagement – Matthew Nisbet, School of Communication, American University (Download QuickTime)

Session Discussants: Janas Sinclair, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Barbara Miller, Elon University; John Besley, University of South Carolina; and Kyun Soo Kim and David Roskos-Ewoldson, University of Alabama (Download QuickTime)

9:55-11:25 Session 2: Affect, Trust and Hostility

    • Understanding Public Response to Technology Advocacy Campaigns: A Persuasion Knowledge Approach – Janas Sinclair, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & Barbara Miller, School of Communications, Elon University (Download QuickTime)

    • Focusing on Fairness in Science and Risk Communication – John Besley, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of South Carolina (Download QuickTime)

    • Hostile Media Perception in Science Communication – Kyun Soo Kim, College of Communication and Information Science & David Roskos-Ewoldson, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama (Download QuickTime)

Session discussants: Bret Shaw, University of Wisconsin; Dominique Brossard, University of Wisconsin; Matthew Nisbet, American University (Download QuickTime)

1:15-2:15 Session 3: Characterization and Meaning-Making in Science

    • Moral Development Framing in Environmental Justice News Coverage – Kristen Alley Swain, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas (Download QuickTime)

    • Expanding Our Notions of Scientific Argument: A Case Study of Native Americans in Public Hearings – Danielle Endres, Department of Communication, University of Utah (Download QuickTime)

Session discussants: Lisa Keranen, University of Colorado; John Lynch, University of Cincinnati

2:15-3:15 Session 4: Characterization and Meaning-Making in Science

    • Competing Characters in Science-Based Controversy: The Case of Dr. Bernard Fisher – Lisa Keranen, Department of Communication, University of Colorado (Download QuickTime)

    • Exemplary Objects: Articulation and the Organization of Scientific Materiality, Sociality and Rhetoric – John Lynch, Department of Communication, University of Cincinnati (Download QuickTime)

Session discussants: Kristen Swain, University of Kansas; Danielle Endres, University of Utah (Download QuickTime)

3:30-4:30 Session 5: Into the Future

    • Bridging the Paradigm Gap: An Interdisciplinary Approach Science Communication Class – Amy Pearce, Department of Psychology & Counseling, Aldemaro Romero, Department of Biological Sciences, & John Zibluk, Department of Journalism, Arkansas State University (Download QuickTime)

Session discussants: Sharon Dunwoody, University of Wisconsin; LeeAnn Kahlor, University of Texas at Austin (Download QuickTime)