Katherine McComas

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.