Communicating research to the public

Kennedy has experience navigating and communicating complicated issues. He is writer-director of Food Evolution, a documentary examining the controversial debate surrounding genetically modified organisms and food. Narrated by astrophysicist and well-known science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson, Food Evolution premiered June 23 in theaters.

Our office of research, faculty, scientists and administrators work to keep this challenge in mind, though it requires constant diligence and extra efforts. The Athens science cafe series, for example. And this responsibility is certainly not limited to the physical and mathematical sceinces but includes the humanities and important new findings from the social sciences, especially psychology. Communicating effectively creates an added layer of expertise and precision to the pursuit of solid science, one that is perhaps new but also essential for the ultimate success of the investigations meant to help us all live better, healthier and with the planetary consciousness we need.

Teaser image courtesy of the AP via The Atlantic.

Above image: from research by geography professor Jerry Shannon on food insecurity in the Atlanta suburbs.