Research projects

This list details past and present research projects conducted at CPAS. It provides a good indication of the nature of science communication as well as the breadth of research topics that can be broached in this discipline.

Prospective students are encouraged to develop their own research topics, perhaps using this list as a starting point for thinking through ideas and to find an appropriate supervisor.

CURRENT

The public life of numbers

This research aims to improve the public communication of statistics, by understand how those working with public numbers think about their work, and the lifecycle of numbers in public debate.

Theme

Public policy and science advice

Associate Professor Will Grant, Supervisor
Dr Rod Lamberts, Supervisor
Professor Sujatha Raman, Supervisor
Samantha Vilkins, Principal investigator

What is inclusive science communication?

Theme

Theories and frameworks in science communication

Associate Professor Merryn McKinnon, Supervisor
Karina Judd, Principal investigator

Are ACT primary teachers still using video in the classroom?

For more information about this project please contact cpas@anu.edu.au.

Dr Rod Lamberts, Supervisor
Jamos McAlester, Principal investigator

Audience responses to fictional representations of future technology

This project investigates audience responses to imagined technologies 'prototyped' in fiction film.

Theme

Science, media and culture

Dr Lindy Orthia, Supervisor
Rudi Spennemann, Principal investigator

Australian National University Student Health Survey

This project aims to uncover ANU students' health behaviours, attitudes towards health and how knowledgeable they are about health.

Naomi Shadbolt, Principal investigator

Bibs, boards and bathrooms: an investigation into teaching introductory organic chemistry

For more information on this project, contact the SCOM3003 course convenor.

Theme

Public engagement and informal science

Emeritus Professor Sue Stocklmayer AO, Supervisor
Sian Keys, Principal investigator

Boundary-spanning the knowledge and policy networks of sustainability transition: insights from the diffusion of accounting innovations

The intent in this project is to contribute to the emerging field of sustainability communication by asking ‘Who says what, in which channel, to whom, with what effect?‘ (Lasswell 1948) within this three-networks model of transition.

Theme

Public policy and science advice
Topics in Science Communication

Dick Osborn, Principal investigator

Bridging the gap between the science of childhood immunisation and parents

For more information about this project please contact cpas@anu.edu.au.

Dr Cathy Frazer, Principal investigator

Can academics who blog gain a better understanding regarding the social context of their research?

For more information about this project please contact cpas@anu.edu.au.

Mandy Thoo, Principal investigator

Can hype be a force for good?

This project investigates how hype is used to communicate science and the impact of hype on trust and engagement.

Theme

Theories and frameworks in science communication

Associate Professor Merryn McKinnon, Supervisor
Professor Joan Leach, Supervisor
Professor Sujatha Raman, Supervisor

Characterising a movement against cancer research

This project analysed the rhetorical strategies used by the website NaturalNews.

Dr Lindy Orthia, Supervisor
Hillary McArthur, Principal investigator

Climate Change Communication in Online Environmental Discourse

This research seeks to understand the structure and features of online communication on climate change related topics, and track the discussions as they evolve over time.

Associate Professor Will Grant, Supervisor

Communicating bioprospecting information to indigenous communities: insights from the experts

For more information about this project please contact cpas@anu.edu.au.

Sarah Abbott, Principal investigator

Communicating biosecurity information to Australian-registered veterinary practitioners

Vets have a big job and are on the front line protecting animal health (and at times human health) from disease and biosecurity threats.

Associate Professor Merryn McKinnon, Supervisor
Dr Ian McDonald, Principal investigator

Communicating endometriosis to young women to decrease diagnostic time

This project was about gauging the understanding of endometriosis in the population of young women, 16-25 years.

Dr Lindy Orthia, Supervisor
Melissa Parker, Supervisor
Naomi Shadbolt, Principal investigator

Communicating information to coffee farmers in Papua New Guinea

For more information about this project please contact cpas@anu.edu.au.

Theme

Responsible innovation and emerging technologies

Reuben Sengere, Principal investigator

Communicating organisational outcomes using simple performance indicators: a case study using ACT elective surgery waiting lists

This research investigates the development, use and effects of using elective surgery waiting list statistics to communicate information about the performance of the ACT Public Hospital system.

Associate Professor Will Grant, Supervisor
Catherine Rayner, Principal investigator

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