Katherine McComas
Vice Provost for Engagement and Land-Grant Affairs, Office of the Provost
Professor, Department of Communication
My research program examines how people communicate about health, science, and environmental risks. Such communication takes place in many venues -- from the front page of the New York Times, to the website of the CDC, to the local public meeting, to the doctor's office, to the visitors' center in our national parks. I am particularly interested in how risk communication influences people's attitudes and behaviors, as well as incentives and barriers people face in the context of risk communication.
Research Focus
My current research examines ways to develop risk messages that encourage greater awareness of the linkages between human, animal, and environmental health and well-being ("One Health"). It also focuses on public acceptability of risk in the context of new and renewable energy technologies.
Outreach and Extension Focus
My research often takes place in contexts related to risk and environmental decision making (e.g., Why do people attend public meetings about local environmental risks? Who do people trust for information about renewable energy?), and I enjoy sharing my results and discussing other relevant research with people outside of the classroom who want to learn more about risk communication.
Teaching Focus
For the undergraduate major, I teach Communication and the Environment, Risk Communication, and Community Involvement in Environmental Decisions. In the graduate curriculum, I teach Risk Communication and Advanced Communication and the Environment.
Education
- Doctorate, Cornell University - 2000
Awards & Honors
- President (2018) Society for Risk Analysis
- Councilor (2015) Society for Risk Analysis
- Fellow (2014) Society for Risk Analysis
- Advisory Committee Service Award (2010) U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Fellow (2009) Cornell's Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
Courses Taught
- COMM 3081: Environmental & Sustainability Communication Part 2
Contact Information
461 Mann Library Building
Ithaca, NY 14853
kam19 [at] cornell.edu
Additional Links
Selected Publications
- Lu, H., Song, H., & McComas, K. A. Seeking information about enhanced geothermal systems: The role of fairness, uncertainty, systematic processing, and information engagement intentions. Renewable Energy.
- Siemer, W. F., Lauber, T. B., Schuler, K., Verant, M., Herzog, C. J., & McComas, K. A. (2020). Predictors of intentions to conserve bats among New York property owners. Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
- Lu, H., McComas, K. A., Kretser, H., & Lauber, T. B. (2020). Scared yet compassionate? Exploring the order effects of threat versus suffering messages on attitude toward scary victims. Science Communication. 42:3-30.
- Balog-Way, D., McComas, K. A., & Besley, J. (2020). The evolving field of risk communication. Risk Analysis: an International Journal.
- Song, H., Lu, H., & McComas, K. A. (2020). The role of fairness in early characterization of new technologies: Effects on selective exposure and risk perception. Risk Analysis: an International Journal.
- Balog-Way, D., & McComas, K. A. (2020). COVID-19: Reflections on trust, tradeoffs, and preparedness. Journal of Risk Research.
- Song, H., McComas, K. A., & Schuler, K. L. (2019). Hunters’ responses to urine-based scent bans tackling chronic wasting disease. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 83:457-466.
- Liao, W., Yuan, Y., & McComas, K. A. (2018). Communal risk information sharing: Motivations behind voluntary information sharing for reducing interdependent risks in a community. Communication Research. 45:909-933.
- Song, H., McComas, K. A., & Schuler, K. (2018). Source Effects on Psychological Reactance to Regulatory Policies: The Role of Trust and Similarity. Science Communication. 40:591-620.
- Holley, J., McComas, K. A., & Hare, M. P. (2018). Troubled Waters: Risk Perception and the Case of Oyster Restoration in the Closed Waters of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. Marine Policy. 91:104-112.
- Scared Yet Compassionate? Exploring the Order Effects of Threat Versus Suffering Messages on Attitude Toward Scary Victims. International Communication Association Annual Meeting. May 2019. Washington DC.
- When the Greatest Risk Lies in Not Trying New Things: A “Business Model” for Resiliency. SRA 5th World Congress. May 2019. Society for Risk Analysis. Cape Town, South Africa.
- Communication challenges of the future: Recognition, reconciliation, and rewards. EFSA Conference on Science, Food, & Society. September 2018. European Food Safety Authority. Parma, Italy.
- Communicating about One Health: Promoting Systems-Level Thinking in a Soundbite Culture. Korean Society for Journalism and Communication Studies Annual Conference. October 2017. Seoul, South Korea.
- Motivations and Barriers in the Face of Risk Communication. The Royal Society Policy Salon. October 2017. The Royal Society. London, United Kingdom.
- Troubled Waters: Risk Perception and the Case of Oyster Restoration in the Closed Waters of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. AEJMC 2017 Annual Conference. August 2017. Chicago, IL.
- One Health messaging about bats and rabies: How framing of risks, benefits, and attributions can support public health and wildlife conservation goals. Society for Risk Analysis 2015 Annual Meeting. December 2015. Arlington, VA.
- How do people think about marine health? Exploring motivated reasoning about the links between climate change, oyster disease, and human health. International Communication Association (ICA). May 2014. ICA. Seattle, WA.
Katherine in the news
News
A new database allows users to search any U.S. ZIP code address to learn about extreme weather concerns like hurricane or wildfire exposure, and to find nearby problematic environmental sites.
- Department of Communication
- Communication
- Environment
News
The New York State Wildlife Health Program mobilizes experts when disease strikes wild animals and prevents outbreaks by translating data into policy.
- Department of Communication
- Animals
- Environment