1. Evaluation of a Faculty Fellows Program in Science Communication.
- Author
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Stanifer S, Delidow B, Rademacher K, Huntington-Moskos L, Kennoy K, Thaxton-Wiggins A, Wilmhoff C, and Hahn EJ
- Abstract
Introduction: Science communication plays a crucial role in tackling pressing regional, national, and global health issues. Effective communication with various audiences is integral to dissemination of science findings., Purpose: This study evaluates changes in self-efficacy and attitudes toward science communication skills over time and also assesses program outcomes and satisfaction with a Faculty Fellows in Science Communication (FFSC) program among faculty (N = 30) with interest in environmental health science and/or education in Appalachia Kentucky., Methods: A mixed methods program evaluation was employed using longitudinal data on behaviors, attitudes, and program outcomes from three cohorts of Faculty Fellows who participated in the year-long UK-CARES Faculty Fellows in Science Communication (FFSC) program from 2018 to 2021. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance was used to evaluate changes over time in self-efficacy and attitude scores., Results: A total of 30 Fellows enrolled in the program. Participation in the FFSC program significantly increased self-efficacy in communicating with peers in one's own department ( F = 7.6, p = 0.002), outside department ( F = 7.3, p = 0.002 ), and lay audiences ( F = 5.8, p = 0.006) and evaluations of the program were positive. Qualitative feedback from participants offered insights into how program participation helped them communicate with different audiences, incorporate narratives or stories to engage audiences, and develop innovative methods of communicating with lay audiences., Implications: The FFSC program provides a useful framework for other institutions and supports faculty as they build the communication skills necessary to effectively translate science with various audiences., Competing Interests: Cover Page Footnote No competing financial or editorial interests were reported by the authors of this paper. This publication was supported by UK-CARES through Grant P30 ES026529. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIEHS., (Copyright © 2023 Stacy Stanifer, Beverly Delidow, Kathy Rademacher, Luz Huntington-Moskos, Kelly Kennoy, Amanda Thaxton-Wiggins, Craig Wilmhoff, and Ellen J. Hahn.)
- Published
- 2023
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