Cosmic Threads: A Solar System Quilt from 1876 A serenade to the universe in wool and silk. BY MARIA POPOVA In October of 1883, a paper in the nation’s capital reported under the heading “Current Gossip” that “an Iowa woman has spent seven years embroidering the solar system on a quilt” — a news item … Continue reading A solar system quilt: Communicating science in 1876
Many STEM scientists have received communication training to better engage the public on complex and controversial science, yet there often remains a disconnect between scientists’ findings and public perceptions on these topics. An interdisciplinary team of Iowa State University researchers hopes to bridge that gap.
Instructor: Dr. Jean Goodwin Day and Time: Tuesdays, 2-4 PM (1st half semester) Target Student Population: Future scientists, future communication professionals, future leaders, future citizens The Science Communication @ISU project team, of which Jean Goodwin is a member, looks at how science can be better communicated in controversial policy contexts. Many important debates seem to be stuck in pointless wranglings … Continue reading LAS103B: Science in Controversy
Wed, 30 Oct, 12:10-1:00 212 Ross Hall RPC Research Colloquium "Normative issues in communicating climate science: A case study of the 2012 Iowa Climate Statement" Jean Goodwin, Professor of English with Michael Dahlstrom, Mari Kemis, Clark Wolf and Christine Hutchison In 2012, a group of Iowa scientists issued a public statement using the severe drought … Continue reading Department of English Colloquium
“Patterns of Mass Media coverage of science and technology: Hoopla Theory and Beyond” Eric Abbott (Greenlee) Thursday, September 29, 3:40-5:00 p.m. 310 Carver Hall meeting room Mass media coverage of scientific innovations and controversies tends to follow regular patterns, both in terms of volume of coverage, tone, and sources used. Hoopla theory suggests that scientific … Continue reading Abbott Colloquium: Media coverage of innovations
Kevin deLaplante (Philosophy) “Critical Thinking About Conspiracies” Thursday, September 1, 3:40-5:00 215 Ross Hall “Conspiracy theorists” are often skilled at defending their ideas with a semblance of reason. Project team member Kevin deLaplante will share his work on how principles of critical thinking can help to sort out conspiracy claims. This project was driven in part by some of … Continue reading First Colloquium: deLaplante on Critical Thinking about Conspiracies
Judith Curry has featured two essays by Science Communication team members on her widely-read blog, Climate Etc. “On the Role of Trust in Climate Communication,” commenting on Goodwin & Dahlstrom, “Good Reasons for Trusting Climate Science Communication,” presented at the American Meteorological Society convention, January, 2011; http://ams.confex.com/ams/91Annual/webprogram/Paper184847.html. “Manufacturing(?) consensus,” commenting on Goodwin, “The Authority of the IPCC … Continue reading Project’s work featured on Climate Etc. Blog
Kevin Blankenship (Psychology) “Importance and Persuasion: Considering a Message in Light of Close Others Increases Information Processing” Tuesday, April 26, 3:40-5:00 215 Ross Hall
Lulu Rodriguez (Greenlee) “The visual representation of genetic engineering and GMOs” February 22, 3:40-5:00 215 Ross Hall
“Good reasons for trusting climate science” (Goodwin & Dahlstrom) is now online at the AMS website; the talk itself plus slides should be up within a month. ABSTRACT: A recent analysis of poll results by the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication confirmed the expected: the controversy surrounding the CRU emails has resulted not … Continue reading Talk at the American Meteorological Society