Department of English

Topic: Science, Advocacy, and the Public

Science, Advocacy, and the Public asks the question: "How can scientists better communicate their research and concerns to the public?" The course will cover topics related to public perceptions of science, how to present and explain research to non-expert audiences through speaking and writing, and will explore recent public and scientific controversies related to COVID-19, climate change, vaccine skepticism, and others. The course is recommended for students in the natural and social sciences looking to improve their communication skills, along with students looking to enter professional, non-profit, or public policy fields that promote scientific study after graduation. Abbreviated version: Science, Advocacy, and the Public asks the question "how can scientists better communicate their research and concerns to the public?" We will explore how an understanding of the role of rhetoric in scientific research can help us better advocate for science-based policy related to COVID-19, vaccines, and other pressing public health issues in an era of increasing scientific skepticism.

• S&H
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