science communication

Behind-The-Scenes Policymaking Lessons from the White House and U.S. Congress with Jim Papa and Mark Bayer

This week’s special double episode features two interviews: my conversation with Jim Papa, who runs the Washington, D.C. office of Global Strategy Group (GSG), where he guides operations and strategy for GSG’s public affairs, communications, and research practices, and Jim’s interview of me for GSG’s podcast, STAFFER. As Partner at GSG, Jim advises CEOs and…

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An Inside Look at Science Policy at the Federal and State Level with Donna Gerardi Riordan

This week’s episode features Donna Gerardi Riordan, a nonprofit leader and innovator with more than three decades of experience bridging the gap between science and policy at the national and state levels.  Donna’s most recent role is as Executive Director of the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS). She previously served in similar roles in…

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The Career Benefits of Becoming a Strong Science Communicator

On this week’s episode, I speak with Martin Zaumanis, Ph.D., a scientist-project manager at Empa, an interdisciplinary research institute in Zurich, Switzerland that conducts cutting-edge materials and technology research.  In Martins’ research, he strives to bring sustainability to the core of road construction – studying asphalt recycling, the use of waste materials in road construction…

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Special Episode: Why is a Former U.S. Senate Chief of Staff Hosting a Science Podcast?

In this special episode, I talk about:   – Why I started the podcast almost 4 years ago  – The similarities between scientists and public policy professionals  – How a Western Union telegram sparked my interest in public policy – The qualities scientists often possess – due to their work – that are transferable to…

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Communicating about Climate Change with Wändi Bruine de Bruin, Ph.D.

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,…

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