SciComm Lunch & Learn: Studying the Science of Science Communication in the Era of Social Media, Fake News and Short Attention Spans

How does one big snowstorm (in the middle of the hottest year on record) convince the public to ignore overwhelming scientific consensus and dismiss climate change science as a hoax? Why is actress Jenny McCarthy seemingly more influential with respect to public attitudes about vaccination than 99% of the medical community? What makes so many people think “Frankenfood” when they hear the term GMO? Join us at the April SciComm Lunch-and-Learn to hear Dr. Dietram Scheufele, one of the world’s experts on the science of science communication address these questions while discussing his research on science communication strategies and how they affect public decision-making.

Dietram is currently the John E. Ross Professor in Science Communication at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Overall, his work focuses on public attitudes and policy dynamics regarding science, with his most recent work focuses on the effect of social media and other new forms of communication. His outstanding work in this field has led to him co-chairing the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication Research and Practice, among his many other distinguishing accomplishments.