This volume brings together selected papers from the fourth interdisciplinary conference at Iowa State University focused on effective and appropriate communication of science. The over thirty essays represent cutting-edge work from rhetorical and communication theorists studying the practices and norms of public discourse and science communication and science studies scholars examining the intersections between the social worlds of scientists and citizens. Topics include the theory and practice of public participation exercises involving experts and lay publics, considerations of social...

This book asks and answers the question of what communication research and other social sciences can offer that will help the global community to address climate change by identifying the conditions that can persuade audiences and encourage collective action on climate.
While scientists often expect that teaching people the scientific facts will change their minds about climate change, closer analysis suggests this is not always the case. Communication scholars are pursuing other ideas based on what we know about influence and persuasion, but this approach does not provide complete...