Tell Me a Science Story: Transforming Engagement with Science Using Creative Nonfiction

“I definitely felt more engaged with the first one [creative nonfiction]and less tuned out because I had somebody interpreting their response for me. So when he was like “Oh, I was surprised” then I think “Oh, so was I, I was also surprised by the piece of information.” So I was more engaged with it personally even if I didn\u27t retain all the numbers... “ “[The story] seemed more relatable I guess, as a normal, average, everyday person than a whole bunch of scientists talking about facts. Where the facts were still in here, the way that it was written was more along a story line.

Tell Me a Science Story: Transforming Engagement with Science Using Creative Nonfiction

“I definitely felt more engaged with the first one [creative nonfiction]and less tuned out because I had somebody interpreting their response for me. So when he was like “Oh, I was surprised” then I think “Oh, so was I, I was also surprised by the piece of information.” So I was more engaged with it personally even if I didn\u27t retain all the numbers... “ “[The story] seemed more relatable I guess, as a normal, average, everyday person than a whole bunch of scientists talking about facts. Where the facts were still in here, the way that it was written was more along a story line.

Public Opinions of Unmanned Aerial Technologies in 2014 to 2019: A Technical and Descriptive Report

The primary purpose of this report is to provide a descriptive and technical summary of the results from similar surveys administered in fall 2014 (n = 576), 2015 (n = 301), 2016 (ns = 1946 and 2089), and 2018 (n = 1050) and summer 2019 (n = 1300). In order to explore a variety of factors that may impact public perceptions of unmanned aerial technologies (UATs), we conducted survey experiments over time. These experiments randomly varied the terminology (drone, aerial robot, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), unmanned aerial system (UAS)) used to describe the technology, the purposes of the technology (for economic, environmental, or security goals), the actors (public or private) using the technology, the technology’s autonomy (fully autonomous, partially autonomous, no autonomy), and the framing (promotion or prevention) used to describe the technology’s purpose. Initially, samples were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, required to be Americans, and paid a small amount for participation. In 2016 we also examined a nationally representative samples recruited from Qualtrics panels. After 2016 we only used nationally representative samples from Qualtrics. Major findings are reported along with details regarding the research methods and analyses

TAKING CHARGE 2017: Satisfaction of Residents of Lincoln, Nebraska

Between June and August of 2017, a satisfaction survey was completed by more than 1,200 randomly-selected Lincolnites (a random sample, yielding confidence intervals ranging from +/- 1-3% for the full sample, and +/- 2-8% at the district level, at the 95% confidence level1). Listed below are the main findings from that survey, including those obtained from examining the overall sample, and from comparisons among Lincoln’s four City Council Districts. Overall Satisfaction Ratings • On average, Lincoln residents reported greater satisfaction than dissatisfaction with most City services in 2017. The average levels of satisfaction were significantly above 3.0 (neutral) for 20 of 22 mean levels of service. As was the case in prior years, some of the highest ratings were given for overall quality of life and fire and emergency medical/ambulance services. This year, we also assessed satisfaction with police services, which was also rated very highly. • The lowest rated service was street maintenance, which was also rated lowest in 2012 and 2015. Street maintenance was the only service upon which City residents, on average, expressed dissatisfaction (that is, a rating that was significantly different from neutral and reflecting dissatisfaction rather than satisfaction). Across districts, street maintenance was rated similarly low. • Ease of car travel also was rated low, with an average rating that was not significantly different from neutral and was significantly lower than in 2012. Ease of car travel was rated lowest by residents living in District 2. • Examination of the 5-year trends in satisfaction ratings for City services demonstrated more areas of satisfaction increase than decrease. Satisfaction with overall quality of life, appearance and cleanliness of the City, the City’s safety and security, recreational opportunities, employment opportunities, ease of bike travel, health department services, job creation/economic development, and snowplowing of City streets showed statistically significant improvement since 2012. Positive 2-year trends included satisfaction with fire and emergency medical services, Lincoln’s overall natural environment, management of sewage and storm water, and street maintenance; each of which increased significantly since 2015. • There were fewer areas of satisfaction decrease. Though average ratings indicated more resident satisfaction than dissatisfaction, availability of affordable housing and City recycling and sustainability demonstrated a downward trend over the past five years. As previously noted, satisfaction with ease of car travel also showed a significant decrease since 2012, resulting in average ratings not significantly different from neutral in 2017

Public Perceptions of Drones Used for Weather-Related Purposes

The CLOUDMAP Team -- Collaboration Leading Operational UAS Development for Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics. An EPSCOR grant funded by NSF Responsible Innovation & Trust Public Perception Studies to Date Some Major Findings • You can call a drone whatever you want without changing people’s support • Purpose matters • Trust matters… And More Findings • Sensemaking through pop culture, lack of knowledge, questioning, and purpose. • Hopes for societal benefits such as research technology and improved public safety (reduced risk, better forecasting). • Concerns for privacy, public & airspace safety, and pollution. • Recommendations for collaborative regulation creation for safety and security, as well as privacy. Next Steps • Studies 1&2: Wave 3 ▫ MTurk and representative sample • Study 3 Study 4 ▫ Representative sample survey experiment ▫ Varying: Purpose, actor, rural/urban ▫ Examining: Support, trust ▫ Moderation by: Knowledg

Public Opinions of Unmanned Aerial Technologies in 2014 to 2019: A Technical and Descriptive Report

The primary purpose of this report is to provide a descriptive and technical summary of the results from similar surveys administered in fall 2014 (n = 576), 2015 (n = 301), 2016 (ns = 1946 and 2089), and 2018 (n = 1050) and summer 2019 (n = 1300). In order to explore a variety of factors that may impact public perceptions of unmanned aerial technologies (UATs), we conducted survey experiments over time. These experiments randomly varied the terminology (drone, aerial robot, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), unmanned aerial system (UAS)) used to describe the technology, the purposes of the technology (for economic, environmental, or security goals), the actors (public or private) using the technology, the technology’s autonomy (fully autonomous, partially autonomous, no autonomy), and the framing (promotion or prevention) used to describe the technology’s purpose. Initially, samples were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, required to be Americans, and paid a small amount for participation. In 2016 we also examined a nationally representative samples recruited from Qualtrics panels. After 2016 we only used nationally representative samples from Qualtrics. Major findings are reported along with details regarding the research methods and analyses

Creating Dialogic Moments in Municipal Deliberation: The Case of Recycling in Nebraska

Networked communication has changed the nature of the public sphere by making it more accessible to more people; however, the networked public sphere also creates issues such as echo chambers, information overload, and polarization. Further, use of algorithms that influence media consumption amplifies to role of information on social identity. This “infocentric identity” driven by algorithms may increase polarization among those interacting in the networked public sphere. Previous research indicates that municipalities are often insulated from such national-level polarization. However, given this infocentric identity, many municipalities may experience polarization to some degree. This study examines if , and how, municipal public discussions experience national-level polarization. Dialogue could be a potential response to polarization stemming from the infocentric identity; thus, this study examines if dialogue or dialogic moments occur currently in municipal public discussions. Finally, the present study explores what, if any, dialogic interventions might be used to insulate municipal public discussions from polarization. To better understand municipal public discussions, I utilize a case study of a municipal debate about mandatory recycling because the debate was controversial, required compromise that was achieved over time, and occurred in tandem with the 2016 presidential election. The case study demonstrated that while local online discussion may reference national-level discussions, but such national-level polarization was not mimicked. Further, I found that dialogic moments do occur presently in public discussions when participants asked open questions, recognized different points of view, asserted their stake, and messaged clearly. Focus groups were used to understand how people reacted to the municipal public discussion and what recommendations participants made for improved public discussions. Discussion of findings are discussed in relation to theories of dialogue, networked public sphere, social identity, and public deliberation. Applications to and recommendations for policy practice are also addressed. Advisor: Damien S. Pfiste

Transformative Engagement in Deliberative Democracies: Exploring a Framework for Engagement Using a Creative, Braided Approach

Policymakers, scientists, academics, and organizational leaders have long been interested in the best way to engage, persuade, and educate stakeholders, no matter the topic (e.g., Mazer, 2013; Bell et al, 2013). While exploration of information dissemination and presentation is growing (Jones, 2013; Gutkind, 2005), particularly within highly mediatized networked societies (Castells, 2008), the necessity for engaging, persuading, and educating citizens in the public sphere through diverse approaches is increasingly obvious. In particular, it is important and relevant to creatively engage stakeholders and decision-makers in an interactive dialogue to allow for fuller understanding about complex topics, especially in the realm of science and technology. At a policy level, it is valuable to engage the public through narrative techniques to debate or support new policy issues and create an atmosphere of transparency and dialogue (Jones, 2013). In this thesis, I explore the use of narrative—specifically, creative nonfiction—in engaging publics in participatory deliberation and discussion to see how public engagement is affected by the presentation of different kinds of evidence. I examine how individuals and groups make sense of complex scientific topics, through both deliberation and feedback, when stimulated by creative nonfiction. This thesis looks to generate creative methods of increasing stakeholder knowledge and engagement with scientific concepts in participatory, deliberative settings through a comparative study using both deliberation insight and feedback from stakeholders to evaluate types of evidence presentation. Environmental sustainability science provides an important area for exploration, since it is both complex and polarized in the public sphere (Kahan, 2012). As science and technology policy decisions become increasingly central in public life, best practices for engaging the public sphere in deliberative decision-making are accordingly necessary. This thesis presents a sustainability science controversy through both creative nonfiction and newsletter accounts in order to engage individuals in deliberative discussion and to gather feedback about engagement. Advisor: Damien Smith Pfiste

TAKING CHARGE 2017: Satisfaction of Residents of Lincoln, Nebraska

Between June and August of 2017, a satisfaction survey was completed by more than 1,200 randomly-selected Lincolnites (a random sample, yielding confidence intervals ranging from +/- 1-3% for the full sample, and +/- 2-8% at the district level, at the 95% confidence level1). Listed below are the main findings from that survey, including those obtained from examining the overall sample, and from comparisons among Lincoln’s four City Council Districts. Overall Satisfaction Ratings • On average, Lincoln residents reported greater satisfaction than dissatisfaction with most City services in 2017. The average levels of satisfaction were significantly above 3.0 (neutral) for 20 of 22 mean levels of service. As was the case in prior years, some of the highest ratings were given for overall quality of life and fire and emergency medical/ambulance services. This year, we also assessed satisfaction with police services, which was also rated very highly. • The lowest rated service was street maintenance, which was also rated lowest in 2012 and 2015. Street maintenance was the only service upon which City residents, on average, expressed dissatisfaction (that is, a rating that was significantly different from neutral and reflecting dissatisfaction rather than satisfaction). Across districts, street maintenance was rated similarly low. • Ease of car travel also was rated low, with an average rating that was not significantly different from neutral and was significantly lower than in 2012. Ease of car travel was rated lowest by residents living in District 2. • Examination of the 5-year trends in satisfaction ratings for City services demonstrated more areas of satisfaction increase than decrease. Satisfaction with overall quality of life, appearance and cleanliness of the City, the City’s safety and security, recreational opportunities, employment opportunities, ease of bike travel, health department services, job creation/economic development, and snowplowing of City streets showed statistically significant improvement since 2012. Positive 2-year trends included satisfaction with fire and emergency medical services, Lincoln’s overall natural environment, management of sewage and storm water, and street maintenance; each of which increased significantly since 2015. • There were fewer areas of satisfaction decrease. Though average ratings indicated more resident satisfaction than dissatisfaction, availability of affordable housing and City recycling and sustainability demonstrated a downward trend over the past five years. As previously noted, satisfaction with ease of car travel also showed a significant decrease since 2012, resulting in average ratings not significantly different from neutral in 2017

Creating Dialogic Moments in Municipal Deliberation: The Case of Recycling in Nebraska

Networked communication has changed the nature of the public sphere by making it more accessible to more people; however, the networked public sphere also creates issues such as echo chambers, information overload, and polarization. Further, use of algorithms that influence media consumption amplifies to role of information on social identity. This “infocentric identity” driven by algorithms may increase polarization among those interacting in the networked public sphere. Previous research indicates that municipalities are often insulated from such national-level polarization. However, given this infocentric identity, many municipalities may experience polarization to some degree. This study examines if , and how, municipal public discussions experience national-level polarization. Dialogue could be a potential response to polarization stemming from the infocentric identity; thus, this study examines if dialogue or dialogic moments occur currently in municipal public discussions. Finally, the present study explores what, if any, dialogic interventions might be used to insulate municipal public discussions from polarization. To better understand municipal public discussions, I utilize a case study of a municipal debate about mandatory recycling because the debate was controversial, required compromise that was achieved over time, and occurred in tandem with the 2016 presidential election. The case study demonstrated that while local online discussion may reference national-level discussions, but such national-level polarization was not mimicked. Further, I found that dialogic moments do occur presently in public discussions when participants asked open questions, recognized different points of view, asserted their stake, and messaged clearly. Focus groups were used to understand how people reacted to the municipal public discussion and what recommendations participants made for improved public discussions. Discussion of findings are discussed in relation to theories of dialogue, networked public sphere, social identity, and public deliberation. Applications to and recommendations for policy practice are also addressed