In this week’s episode, Wändi Bruine de Bruin, Ph.D., Provost Professor of Public Policy, Psychology, and Behavioral Science at the University of Southern California, discusses messaging about climate change, her role as the lead author of a recent study from USC and the United Nations Foundation aimed at improving the public’s understanding of climate change, and related topics, including: – How scientists can become more attuned to how the general public perceives its use of scientific language
– Whether she feels cultural norms of science and scientific inquiry historically discouraged plain-language communication
– If she feels these norms are beginning to shift towards rewarding science communication in publications accessible and interesting to general audiences
– If she considers the COVID-19 pandemic as a significant example of the need for stronger science communication
– Would stronger science communication capabilities have made a difference – in the positive direction – in terms of public reaction to health protocols such as the imperative to wear masks, close down or limit public gatherings, and vaccination rates, for example
– How should scientists counter misinformation about scientific findings, such as the impacts of climate change
