Communicating Who Knows What in Sustainability Science: Investigating the Role of Epistemology in Science Communication and Engagement

The complex socio-ecological problems we face today often require that researchers collaborate with individuals and organizations outside of their own disciplines and, oftentimes, outside of academia entirely. This sustainability science model encourages university researchers to engage in participatory models of engagement, where nonscientific publics and scientists working outside of academe are invited to co-produce knowledge and, through collaboration, arrive at solutions for sustainability. Despite the popularity of participatory models of engagement in sustainability science, very little research has examined sustainability science researchers’ perceptions of epistemic authority in conjunction with their engagement behavior. This kind of work is important given that the epistemic privileging of science can function as a significant barrier to the creation of meaningful solutions, particularly when it comes to persuading diverse groups of people to buy-in to one particular solution over another in complex sustainability-related contexts. I combine science communication theory with the concepts of epistemic authority and expertise to explore stakeholder engagement within a large sustainability science research effort. In chapter one, I explore the potential underlying factors, including epistemic assumptions, that drive model use, specifically addressing the continued use of the diffusion model (i.e. public deficit) in science communication research and practice. In chapter two, I qualitatively explore the extent to which sustainability science researchers afford science epistemic authority and assess their use of different models of science communication within their stakeholder engagement efforts. The results of chapter two challenge the assumption that sustainability science creates an egalitarian epistemic environment and the presumed connection between sustainability science and participatory models of engagement. In chapter three, I quantitatively examine the relationship between NEST researchers’ perceptions of stakeholder expertise and their science communication behavior. Results of this chapter three indicate a positive relationship between how sustainability science researchers perceive the expertise level of their stakeholder partners and the manner in which they engage those partners. Taken together, this work adds to the growing body of literature in science communication that explores how different models of science communication emerge and demonstrates the value of studying the relationship between epistemic assumptions and science communication practice

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard of 2016: Intersection of Technology and Public Understanding of Science in the United States

Genetically modified (GM) foods have been commercially available in the US for more than two decades, yet Americans know very little about them. With the implementation of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard of 2016, food manufacturers will be required to disclose the presence of GM ingredients in their food products. How food manufacturers communicate with consumers about GM ingredients may have consequences for public understanding of GM technology. In Study 1, we explore how food manufacturers characterize GM ingredients within their food products on SmartLabel, a digital disclosure website established by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. In Study 2, we test the effect of those characterizations on perceived risks and benefits of GM food. Overall, we find that varying characterizations of GM ingredients do not significantly affect perceived risks and benefits. Post hoc analyses suggest that knowledge of GM technology and moral evaluation of GM technology significantly predict perceived risks and benefits. Implications for the public communication of GM technology are discussed

Editorial: Helping Scientists to Communicate Well for all Considered: Strategic Science Communication in an Age of Environmental and Health Crises

From documenting evidence-based science communication training programs to examining issues of intersectionality and inclusivity in science communication, each of the 12 articles in this special issue offers a unique perspective on science communication, public engagement, and inclusivity. The case studies of training programs provide helpful lessons learned that have broad applicability. The descriptions of how social scientific and rhetorical approaches have been used to enhance inclusive science communication offer new insights into more effective science communication practices. Our hope is that, taken together, these articles will inspire improvements in our collective ability to more effectively and equitably apply scientific research to meet societal needs

In science communication, why does the idea of the public deficit always return? Exploring key influences

Despite mounting criticism, the deficit model remains an integral part of science communication research and practice. In this article, I advance three key factors that contribute to the idea of the public deficit in science communication, including the purpose of science communication, how communication processes and outcomes are conceptualized, and how science and scientific knowledge are defined. Affording science absolute epistemic privilege, I argue, is the most compelling factor contributing to the continued use of the deficit model. In addition, I contend that the deficit model plays a necessary, though not sufficient, role in science communication research and practice. Areas for future research are discussed

The Role of Trust in Communicating Scientific Consensus and the Environmental Benefits of Genetically Engineered Crops: Experimental Evidence of a Backfire Effect

Genetically engineered (GE) crops are likely to be one solution when it comes to balancing the needs of a growing human population and changing climate. Recent data suggest that many U.S. adults believe that GE foods are risky for human health and the environment, despite scientific consensus that they are no more harmful to human health or the environment than conventionally bred crops. While some evidence suggests that consensus messaging could be a significant factor in publics’ perceptions about technologies like GE, the effect of communicating scientific consensus and under different conditions remains unclear. We test message effectiveness in terms of individuals’ consensus perceptions and beliefs about the environmental risks and benefits of GE technology. We find that consensus messaging reduces perceived environmental risks of GE crops, and that supplementing a consensus message with benefits information reduces perceived environmental risks and increases anticipated benefits. We find an interaction effect for trust in scientists, such that those who have lower trust in industry scientists exhibit a backfire effect when exposed to consensus information

Improving Patient-Provider Perceptions through Alternate Intake Forms

This study examines the effects of implementing alternative intake formats for Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screenings in the LGBTQ+ community. STIs are on the rise in the US and vital information on health outcomes of the LGBTQ+ subpopulation is lacking. Existing literature has focused mainly on qualitative methods, focusing on identity disclosure and access to healthcare providers for the LGBTQ+ community. More work needs to be done using quantitative methods to examine the effect of healthcare provider communication. Using the theoretical framework of communication accommodation theory, the study answers the question: how would alternate intake formats affect patients experience? Results show that accommodating language towards the LGBTQ+ community has a positive impact on patient trust, safety, confidence, and retention; all of which are indicators of successful patient-provider centered communication. These results fortify existing literature on this topic and also have strong implications for providers in practice to use more accommodating language to improve patient-provider communication and outcomes with vulnerable communities

A Study on How African Immigrants Experience Being Black in America

This study aims to cultivate a picture of what media coverage is out there on African immigrants that focuses on societal issues in America that have been popularized by Black American communities. These issues include; race-based discrimination, micro-aggressions, police mistrust and inter-racial dating practices. The importance of this study lies in the understanding of generational pain and suffering, and to learn if Black minorities who weren’t raised in America and weren’t privy to the emergence of that generational suffering feel a connection to Black American social struggles. It is also important to analyze the field and see what work has been done to look at the Black American experience using academic writing. This study would be completed by interviewing and providing questionnaires to African immigrants who have recently migrated to the United States, as well as a comprehensive literature review of previous study findings. The participants will be recruited in person using platforms in different African immigrant communities and forums. The in-person data will only be collected after health officials deem it safe to start working with others post-COVID. Once the data is gathered, we will analyze it qualitatively

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard of 2016: Intersection of Technology and Public Understanding of Science in the United States

Genetically modified (GM) foods have been commercially available in the US for more than two decades, yet Americans know very little about them. With the implementation of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard of 2016, food manufacturers will be required to disclose the presence of GM ingredients in their food products. How food manufacturers communicate with consumers about GM ingredients may have consequences for public understanding of GM technology. In Study 1, we explore how food manufacturers characterize GM ingredients within their food products on SmartLabel, a digital disclosure website established by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. In Study 2, we test the effect of those characterizations on perceived risks and benefits of GM food. Overall, we find that varying characterizations of GM ingredients do not significantly affect perceived risks and benefits. Post hoc analyses suggest that knowledge of GM technology and moral evaluation of GM technology significantly predict perceived risks and benefits. Implications for the public communication of GM technology are discussed

Strengthening Public Engagement on Environmental Hazards: Insights from Cross-Disciplinary Air Pollution Research

Studying air pollution provides an opportunity to explore public opinion about the environment from a health perspective, and examine how the often-siloed fields of health, environmental, and science communication might inform each other to generate a more holistic understanding of these issues. This raises an important question for social scientists: what is the best way to understand public perception of hazards that rest at the intersection of health, the environment, and science? In this study, we examine the extent to which risk perceptions and environmental values predict individual-level protective behaviours and civic action surrounding air pollution in Portland, Oregon. We find that risk perceptions significantly predict individual-level protective behaviour, civic action, and engagement preferences to varying degrees. We also find that the inclusion of environmental values offers additional explanatory power. Results demonstrate that combining approaches from health, environmental, and science communication offers a more holistic understanding of public perception of and engagement with environmental risks

Communicating Environmental Risks: Local Newspaper Coverage of Shellfish Bacterial Contamination in Maine

Coastal resources play a vital role in Maine’s cultural and economic wellbeing, contributing an estimated 168 billion dollars to the Maine economy. There are numerous risks to the sustainability of Maine’s shellfishing industry and working waterfront, including pathogenic bacterial pollution. In this study, we ask a broad fundamental question central to science and environmental journalism: how do newspapers cover localized environmental risks and what are the implications of those approaches? Utilizing the northeastern US state of Maine’s shellfishing industry as an exemplar environmental issue, this study examines how Maine’s two most read newspapers, the Bangor Daily News and the Portland Press Herald, report on bacterial contamination and shellfish. This study examines the themes that are present in the newspaper articles published about shellfish between 2003 and 2014 and analyses the types of sources journalists used within their coverage of these issues. Overall, we identified seven key themes: economic concerns, environmental impacts, political and regulatory issues, issues of public health and safety, reference to cultural values, technical and infrastructural issues, and aesthetic concerns. The most commonly cited individuals in the articles were government officials and scientists. The least cited groups were clammers and shellfishermen, general citizens, advocacy groups, and worm diggers. Implications for local coverage of environmental risks in Maine, science communication, and sustainability science are discussed