ASC2020 - 16-19 Feb, Melbourne

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Health Communication

Health sciences are one of the most popular topics in science news reporting, but many questions remain about how science is or is not used by communities to make health-related decisions. From disease awareness to nutrition, this session will cover communication of human and animal health sciences.

The session has three 15-minute talks, with 15 minutes of Q&A and discussion to conclude.

Session Producer

Research Program Committee

Session Chair

Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer, Climate Scientist and Science Communicator, The University of Melbourne

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 9:30am-10:30am
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
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Communication Strategies to Mitigate Risk

How do we effectively communicate risk and uncertainty? This question plagues many fields of science, as we try to help individuals, communities, governments and businesses make rational decisions based on the best research available. This session will present the latest literature in risk and uncertainty communication.

The session has two 15-minute talks, with 15 minutes of Q&A and discussion to conclude.

Session Producer

Research Program Committee

Session Chair

Linden Ashcroft, Lecturer, Climate Scientist and Science Communicator, The University of Melbourne

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 1:50pm-2:35pm
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
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Communication Delivery Methods

While knowing your audience is crucial, it is also vital to understand the best way to deliver a message to that audience. The tools we use to communicate can make or break how well science is received.

This session explores the impacts of communicating through a range of delivery methods to different audiences, including group chat technologies, news media and social media platforms.

The session has three 15-minute talks, with 10 minutes of Q&A and discussion, followed by another three 15-minute talks, with 10 minutes of Q&A and discussion to conclude.

The session will include the following talks:

11:00am-12:50am

11:00am start

11:45am Q&A and discussion

11:55am start

12:40pm Q&A and discussion

Session Producer

Research Program Committee

Session Chair

Jenny Martin, Educator and radio personality, The University of Melbourne

 

When: Wednesday 19th February, 11:00am–12:50pm
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
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An in-depth study of Orphan Black and its influence upon audience members in relation to their perception of science

This study is a case study centred around the popular television show Orphan Black (2013-2017), with a central aim of exploring the show’s influence upon its audience members in relation to their perception of science and scientists. More specifically, the key elements investigated are how character diversity, complexity and relatability trigger and maintain engagement with both the show and its underlying science content, as well as how characteristics of scientist characters influence the viewers perception of both science and scientists.

The show Orphan Black was chosen for this project due to its diverse and complex characters, and its contrast to the portrayal of scientists in other popular culture (for example, the leading scientist being a queer* woman). The methods used in this project were audience response surveys, which were distributed via several social media platforms. The results confirmed that complexity and diversity help establish and maintain connection between audience members and characters in the show. As a consequence, audience members demonstrated deeper engagement with the show’s underlying themes. In regards to real-life choices and views, future scientists felt encouraged and validated by the complex and diverse scientist character portrayals, while non-scientists showed an increased appreciation for science. Implications regarding positive representation in popular fiction as a factor for influencing diversity in STEM are discussed.

Session

Communication Delivery Methods

Presenters

Jodie Smith, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, ANU

Brad Tucker, Astrophysicist/Cosmologist, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, ANU

 

When: In Session Wednesday 19th February, 11:00am-12:50pm
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Are we Foot and Mouth Disease ready?

Bringing multiple stakeholders together, as equal partners to examine complex problems and co-create innovative solutions…too good to be true?

To improve Australia’s preparedness for animal disease outbreaks using foot and mouth disease (FMD) as a model, researchers from CSIRO, Charles Sturt University, and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences are using just such an approach – Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). Used historically in developing countries to enhance information sharing and problem solving at local levels, AIS can bring systems change by creating space for shared perspective and the co-creation of solutions by multiple stakeholders.

The FMD Ready Farmer-led surveillance project, is working with five different livestock industries, using AIS to flip the traditional top-down deficit model approach to disease surveillance and create a model for transforming how knowledge is co-created, valued and shared. This can contribute to redefining the role evidence-based science communication can play in enhancing Australia’s preparedness for animal disease outbreaks.

Bringing together livestock producers, veterinarians, livestock agents, abattoir representatives, social scientists, etc., the project is tackling complex issues around surveillance and trusting relationships, one discussion at a time.

This project is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program, and by producer levies from Australian FMD-susceptible livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) industries and Charles Sturt University (CSU), leveraging significant in-kind support from the research partners.

The research partners for this project are the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), CSU through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, supported by Animal Health Australia (AHA). The project commenced in July 2016 and will conclude in June 2020.

Session

Health Communication

Presenter

Jennifer Manyweathers, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Biosecurity, Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industry

Co-authors

Yiheyis Maru, CSIRO

Lynne Hayes, Charles Sturt University

Barton Loechel, CSIRO

Jennifer Kelly, CSIRO

Marwan El Hassan, Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Science

Rob Woodgate, Charles Sturt University

Marta Hernandez-Jover, Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation

 

When: In Session Wednesday 19th February, 9:30am-10:30am

Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton

Hashtag: TBC

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Expertise and communicating about infectious disease: uncertainty and inclusivity in discourse of veterinarians and horse owners living with Hendra virus

Despite Australian horse owners being encouraged to vaccinate their horses against Hendra virus to reduce the risk to horses and humans, uptake has been slow. Discourse around the vaccine has been characterised by polarisation and dissenting voices across stakeholders. This has resulted in animal welfare issues for horse owners unable to access veterinary care and has contributed to professional and personal stress for veterinary surgeons.

In this study we interviewed Australian horse owners who had elected not to vaccinate their animals (N=15) and equine veterinarians (N=10), all located in areas of previous Hendra virus cases. Our results revealed how expert knowledge was identified and valued and by whom, and how this contributed to the divisive discourses. Disqualification by institutional and industry experts of lay knowledge and experience also played a role in creating barriers to progressive and inclusive discussions around risk mitigation. Inadequate handling of uncertainty, including the opacity of the vaccine development and registration process, and the handling of vaccine injury reports contributed to the polarisation of communications around Hendra virus and the vaccine.

We assert that examination of how experts are trained must be undertaken. By including explicit training in inclusive and reflective risk communication practices, experts will be better prepared for their role as science communicators. This will contribute to the acknowledgement of legitimacy of diverse knowledge sources and the inevitability of uncertainty, which will enhance future communications around management of infectious diseases.

Session

Health Communication

Presenting author

Jennifer Manyweathers, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Biosecurity, Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industry

Co-authors

Mel Taylor, Macquarie University

Nancy Longnecker, Otago University, New Zealand

 

When: In session Wednesday 19th February, 9:30am-10:30am

Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Experimenting with plastic avoidance media messages

Plastic pollution is a global problem linked to climate change, biodiversity loss, and poor human health. But many single-use plastics are avoidable if people just change their behaviour. Perceptions about social norms (the unwritten social rules about how we should and should not behave) can influence single-use plastic avoidance. These perceptions are shaped through exposure to different types of environmental cues, including mass media. Given that media coverage of plastic pollution has been high in recent years, this raises the question – is media promoting plastic avoidance or plastic use as the current norm?

Method:
An online experiment was undertaken involving a survey of 1,000 participants. Respondents were asked about their perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours regarding four single-use items: plastic bags, plastic straws, disposable coffee cups, and plastic take-away containers. They were then shown a ~2-minute video clip from one of four documentaries about plastic pollution (or a control clip about the process of making plastic). Two clips emphasised the ‘scale of the problem’ (potentially promoting the undesirable descriptive norm), while two clips focused on the ‘environmental impact’ of plastic pollution (potentially promoting the benefits of avoidance). Respondents were asked again about their perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours immediately after the clip and again one month later.

Results:
This presentation will report on the changes in perceptions, beliefs, and intentions between respondents who were exposed to the different video clips. Insights from this experiment will be of value to those interested in encouraging pro-environmental social norms using media communication.

Session

Communication Delivery Methods

Presenters

Kim Borg, Behaviour Works Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute

 

When: In session Wednesday 19th February, 11:00m-12:50pm

Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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How a climate change sceptic politician changed their mind

Inherent in deliberative democracy is the possibility of individuals changing their position on an issue in response to persuasive communication.

This is a case study of how a person in a position of power changed their mind about climate change in response to deliberations, then used their position to put on record their thought processes in changing mind.

The record of a speech from South Australian Parliament documented the politician’s thought processes before and after the change. This in turn generated further dialogue in public and private spheres. This political communication indicated that the deliberative quality of a panel discussion among scientists made the reality of climate change compelling for someone who was until then a climate sceptic. The range of arguments and scientific evidence presented by the panel of diverse scientists within the consensus of climate change persuaded the politician. Following the speech,more detail about the circumstances that led to change emerged through civil communications among citizens, scientists, media and political actors.Some of this dialogue happened face-to-face and some in social media, which was unusually positive.

This paper sheds further light on the circumstances and dialogues that led an elected representative to publicly state they had been wrong about climate change, acknowledging for the first time the need for action. Further public dialogue in response, such as deliberations about causes and the need for more such stories of change, are included with the explicit intention of this paper being a form of participatory action research (Stokols 2006). The authors were embedded in these events and dialogues and intend this artefact of documentation and reflection to support further iterative deliberations about responding to climate change.

Session

Communication Delivery Methods

Presenters

Cobi Calyx, Research Fellow in Science Communication, Centre for Social Impact, UNSW Sydney

Jenny Low, SA MLC John Darley’s Office

 

When: In SessionWednesday 19th February, 11:00am–12:50pm

Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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A case study investigating the communication process of scientific research in news media

Accurate reporting of scientific discoveries is important. Barriers for journalists in writing quality articles about science are complex. Communication issues arise in the translation process from scientific publications to press releases to media reporting. Using a case study, this research sought to investigate this translation process by comparing a scientific publication with the press release and the media reporting.

Methods:
A case study was chosen which included a scientific publication, the corresponding press release and subsequent 65 news articles. A coding framework was developed to compare the accuracy and sufficiency of information in the scientific publication, the press release and the news articles.

Results:
Findings included the following issues with the press release and news reporting:
• Spin and buzz words were present.
• The study design was not clearly described.
• There was limited independent expert commentary and limited use of balanced framing.
• There was minimal acknowledgement that the research findings could not be translated into clinical recommendations until further research has been undertaken and there were misleading, inaccurate and harmful recommendations about vitamin supplementation.

Conclusion:
Media reporting of scientific research can impact human health. Therefore, it is important that media coverage of scientific research is clear, balanced and accurate. This study highlights that communication issues arise at various stages of the information translation process. Additionally, this study indicates that further research is necessary to understand and improve the information translation process of scientific research in media.

Session

Communication Delivery Methods

Presenting Author

Georgia Dempster, PhD candidate, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Co-Authors

Georgina Sutherland, Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Louise Keogh, Associate Professor, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

 

When: In session Wednesday 19th February, 11:00am–12:50pm
Where: Room G01, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC

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Neurogastronomy, Nutrition and Nigella: Changing the Narrative in Public Communication of Nutrition

Abstract

 

Background

Despite widespread dissemination of evidence-based Nutrition and food consumption advice in Australia through the Australian Dietary Guidelines, Dietetics practise and Public Health initiatives, Public incidence of diet-related Non-Communicable Disease states continues to increase annually. In this study, we examine public attitudes to food, nutrition and wellbeing through the dual information filters of populist gastronomy (Nigella Lawson) and traditional nutrition science communication on middle-class/professional adults residing in a low SEI area of semi-rural NSW exhibiting greater than average diet-related morbidity.

 

Methods

Using a community based voluntary participatory research approach, we conducted a qualitative, research study with 6 catered, audio-recorded focus group amongst adults (n=47) who self-identified as their own or one of their family’s primary food providers (age = 18-78 years [15 male, 32 female]). The focus group topics were perceptions of current Dietetic or Government nutrition advice, the relative importance of flavour vs. health concerns in food choices, immediate neurogastronomical perceptions of a Nigella Lawson meal that conforms to current dietary recommendations, and the effects of hedonic vs scientific narrative on food choices, menu planning and consumption. Pre and post-prandial satiety was evaluated via Likert scale. A small team of investigators analysed all transcripts in full before reducing data to codes through consensus. Broader themes were created to encompass multiple codes.

 

Results

Results show that participants retain a robust understanding of evidence-based dietary guidelines, and exhibit similar perspectives on broader narrative influences on food consumption. We identified six themes consistent among all participants: Solid understanding of current evidence-based nutritional recommendations, frustration, anger and scepticism arising from scientific language paradigms and perceived fickleness of message in Nutrition professionals and Dieticians, emotional/hedonic texts are more broadly engaging, “junk foods”, “food trends” and “chemicals” have supplanted healthy, “natural”, “traditional” foods and food practises common to remembered childhood and family traditions, “healthy” and “hedonistic” are perceived by the majority and antithetical terms, and a primary barrier to consumption of healthy food is the hedonic experience –both actual and linguistic. Placing nutrition in Lithgow within a broader context of sociocultural and gastronomic identity and a struggle to harmonize different lifestyles, media influences and worldviews, we propose how an alternative communication framework for nutrition can harmonize scientific perspectives with semi-rural Australian food culture and perceptions.

 

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates how hedonic gastronomic narrative influences and enhances public food understanding and dietary practises in educated Australian adults in semi-rural NSW.

Session

Health Communication

Presenter

Catherine Lockley, Nutritionist, Scrumptious Science

 

When: In session Wednesday 19th February, 9:30am-10:30am
Where: TBC
Hashtag: TBC

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Acknowledgements

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