The Purpose of Research Science & Memory is focused on telling stories about science in a complex world. We seek to explore forms of storytelling that are useful and effective for people facing real-world issues of climate change. To that end, we use as a guide five goals set out by the National Academy of Sciences 2017 report, Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda. The goals are: To share the findings and excitement of science. To increase appreciation for science as a useful way of understanding and navigating the modern world. To increase knowledge and understanding of science related to a specific issue that requires a decision. To influence people’s opinions, behavior, and policy preferences—for example, when the weight of evidence clearly shows that some choices have consequences for public health, public safety, or some other societal concern. To engage with diverse groups so that their perspectives about science related to important social issues can be considered in seeking solutions to societal problems that affect everyone The following projects represent the first research and creative activity initiatives for Science & Memory.
AEJMC Conference Paper 2017
We talk of what we care about: Understanding climate change perceptions and attitudes across Hispanic, African American, and Anglo racial/ethnic groups Elias, T., Dahmen, N. S., Morrison, D. D., Morrison, D., & Morris, D., II. (2016, August 7). Minorities and Communication Division, Annual Conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Minneapolis, MN. Abstract This research uses survey data from 923 individuals with an equal distribution of Hispanic, African-American, and Anglo participants. With the goal of understanding ethnic populations’ perceptions of climate change, the study examined five factors: (1) knowledge, (2) perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy, (3) social comparison, (4) ideologies, and (5) risk perception, through the theoretical lens of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Study findings show differences in knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to adopt ameliorative, pro-environment behaviors.
Graduate Thesis Project
Swimming Upstream Salmon, Knowledge, and Climate Change through Environmental Communication Andrea Willingham’s thesis project was supported by Science & Memory in Summer 2016. http://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=80f748c0c3df42a782926dc18d4ded1f Abstract This Story Map is the terminal thesis project of Andrea Willingham, Master of Science Candidate in Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon. The purpose of this tool is to use multimedia to explore Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and science around climate change in Cordova, AK. This project should be viewed as a platform for stories and a living document, more so than a conclusive, static product. The intent is that it has all the elements of a completed narrative, but with space to grow and expand within the parameters set. It is meant to provide an academic grounding to real-world issues affecting communities in Alaska today, looking at Cordova as a model. It is meant to be a resource for educators, decision makers, natural resource users, and other interested community members in Cordova. And finally, it is meant to put a human face on otherwise large and abstract issues, connecting people outside of Alaska to issues that affect the state, and ultimately come back to affect them.
Competition Entry
What Design Can Do Challenge Summer 2017 SOJC faculty members Deb Morrison, Tom McDonnell, Mark Blaine, Steven Asbury, Dan Morrison, and Troy Elias submitted a case study idea to the What Design Can Do Climate Change Challenge. The competition asks creative professionals to offer conceptual and creative ideas about how people can adapt to climate realities in this new era of rising temperatures and increasing extreme weather events. Their submission – Climate Ready – relies on data aggregation to let people know what climate issues most affect their zip code/region and what supplies they might need to address those issues.
Articles

Morrison, D., & Dahmen, N. S. (2017, April 12). In planned EPA cuts, U.S. to lose vital connection to at-risk communities. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/in-planned-epa-cuts-us-to-lose-vital-connection-to-at-risk-communities-74489

Dahmen, N. S., Elias, T., Morrison, D., & Morrison, D. (2017, January 4). The overwhelming whiteness of U.S. environmentalism is hobbling the fight against climate change. Quartz (qz.com). https://qz.com/877447/the-overwhelming-whiteness-of-the-us-environmentalist-movement-is-hobbling-the-fight-against-climate-change/