The Fundamentals of Communication: The Science of What Makes People Care

Learn about the science-driven frameworks for creating compelling, transformative narratives that can drive real social change on contemporary issues. The Center for Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida teaches, studies, tests, and applies the science of strategic communication for social change with partners and students throughout the world. Hear from their experts on the latest science that can help communicators craft successful social change campaigns.

Led by Ann Searight Christiano, Director of the Center for Public Interest Communications and Ellen Nodine, Director of Programs and Training, this session will introduce you to one of the foundational frameworks of public interest communications: The Science of What Makes People Care.

This session is held on Zoom. Register today and you'll receive a link and password to attend before the session begins.

This event is a part of Comm(s) Fest, an annual event with the mission of transforming how people see marketing communications. By bringing together fresh perspectives and innovators from both practice and academia, this gathering bridges the divide between the science of communication studies and the media practice of marketing communications.

Comm(s) Fest is a free event and the full schedule can be found at commsfest.com.

Learn more about the Center for Public Interest Communications and the University of Florida's online master's program specializing in Public Interest Communications at onlinemasters.jou.ufl.edu.

About the speakers:

Ann Christiano is the founder and Director of the Center for Public Interest Communications and a clinical professor in the department of public relations at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. She developed the first-ever curriculum in public interest communications and launched the annual frank gathering, connecting practitioners and scholars and nurturing and sharing research that can advance this newly emerging academic discipline. Ann completed a 10-year term as the inaugural Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications in May 2020. Ann’s writing has appeared in the Stanford Social Innovation Review and she was the University of Florida Teacher of the Year in 2014. Her work through the Center includes partnerships with the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, Gates Foundation, the International Labor Organization and more. She regularly trains scientists and other leaders to more effectively convey the importance of their work. Before she came to the University of Florida in 2010, Ann was a senior communications officer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she directed communications efforts for programs that address the social actors like housing, education and mental health that drive health and well being.

As the Center for Public Interest Communications’ Director of Programs and Training, Ellen Nodine oversees the daily operations while providing leadership in the strategic direction of the unit. As a coach within the center, she helps organizations apply a public interest communications framework to their work, which uses science-driven strategic communications and storytelling to advance positive social change. Through the Center, she’s worked as a coach for numerous entities including the United National High Commissioner for Refugees Innovation Service; scientists and program officers at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; program directors and leaders of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America; University of Florida scientists, program leaders and educators; and many foundation and nonprofit communicators. Ellen also directs the College of Journalism and Communications online master’s in public interest communications, the first of its kind in the nation. As director, she provides guidance for curriculum development and facilitates faculty and students in the program. She serves as the lead organizer for the frank gathering, a three-day conference uniting a community of communication strategists, behavioral and social scientists, artists, funders, agencies, business leaders and advocates working to drive positive social change.