Katherine McComas, Professor, Dept. of Communication
My research program examines how people communicate about health, science, and environmental risks. I am particularly interested in how risk communication influences people’s attitudes and behaviors, as well as incentives and barriers people face in the context of risk communication. My current research examines ways to develop risk messages that encourage greater awareness of the linkages between human, animal, and environmental health and well-being (“One Health”). It also focuses on public acceptability of risk in the context of new and renewable energy technologies.
Dominic Balog-Way, PhD, Research Associate, Dept. of Communication
Dominic holding a sea star at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, WA. (Photo: David O. Brown)
I am a social scientist working at the interface between risk communication, risk management and policymaking. I specialize in technological risk issues, especially those associated with pharmaceuticals, healthcare, food safety, and the environment. My recent work has focused on evidence-informed policymaking; transparency and big data in risk regulation; risk perception and decision-making; and risk-risk tradeoffs.
Josephine Martell, PhD, Assistant Research Professor, Public & Ecosystems Health; Associate Dean of Academics, Cornell Graduate School
My research examines how communication tools and tactics can be used to influence human behavior and lead to improved outcomes and policy for marginalized communities and wildlife. As a community-engaged scholar, my work focuses on addressing community-identified issues through shared research interests and social concerns.
Rebekah Wicke, PhD student, Dept. of Communication
My research primarily focuses on how the communication of scientific uncertainty influences risk perceptions and decision making in health and environmental contexts. I’m also interested in examining how messages can be used to help individuals imagine a wide range of events, such as the risk of developing cancer or experiencing a wildlife encounter, in such a way that helps them form accurate risk perceptions.
Xuan Qian, PhD student, Dept. of Communication
My research examines how messages shape people’s perceptions of risk and how risk communication further impacts their intentions and behaviors, especially in the context of health and technology. I am also interested in understanding how psychological interactions—such as emotions, perceptions, and motivations—influence decision-making in risk-related scenarios.
