A panel of distinguished faculty, staff and community members will discuss “In the Heat of the Moment: Staying on Message Amidst Controversy,” on Thursday, April 14, from 12-1:30 p.m. in Gordon Hall 302-304. The presentation is sponsored by the UMass Public Engagement Project and is free and open to the public.
Panelists will include Ray Bradley, a university distinguished professor in geosciences; Nancy Folbre, professor of economics; John Kennedy, vice chancellor for university relations; and Jane Sanders, executive director of Community Action. Amy Schalet, assistant professor of sociology and founding member of the Public Engagement Project, will moderate the panel.
Panelists will address the problems that can sometimes arise when faculty discuss their research in public forums. “UMass faculty are renowned for their cutting-edge research,” notes Sally Powers, professor of psychology and a member of the Public Engagement Project steering committee. “Disseminating transformative ideas to non-academic audiences isn’t always a smooth process.”
According to M.V. Lee Badgett, a professor of economics who also serves on the steering committee, “As faculty, we’re accustomed to having our work scrutinized by peers using empirical standards. But when we take our research beyond the campus gates, to diverse audiences, what are the best communication strategies?”
Linda Tropp, an associate professor of psychology and steering committee member, further notes: “Communicating effectively when your research is controversial is a special challenge for scholars. How do you engage in public debate yet stay ‘on point’ and still get your important ideas across?”
All of the panelists have extensive experience communicating important but contentious ideas.
Ray Bradley, who also directs the Climate System Research Center at UMass, frequently interacts with those who reject the evidence of climate change. Nancy Folbre is a regular contributor to Economix, the New York Times blog about finance and the economy, and finds herself responding to a range of comments on her posts—some favorable, some not.
Jane Sanders’ important work around welfare reform and the rights of poor families has put her on the frontlines of controversy many times. As an award-winning television producer for over 20 years at ABC News, and a former deputy director of communications for the ACLU, John Kennedy is well-versed in representing controversial topics ranging from immigration to national security policy.
Brownbag lunches are welcome at the panel. For additional and updated information about this event, please visit www.masspolicy.org/pep.