The Life Sciences Communication program will host its annual science communication colloquium series this spring, welcoming prominent speakers from across the U.S. to share research and insights on science communication and public understanding.
Campus and community members are invited to join the LSC colloquium which will take place every Wednesday from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. in 1420 Microbial Sciences unless otherwise noted. From climate risk and biotechnology to political comedy and artificial intelligence, LSC’s 2026 science communication colloquium will host one speaker a week from January 28 to April 22.
You can find a list of this year’s speakers below and click on their names for more information. When possible, a recording of the presentation will be made publicly available following the individual talks.
Every spring, you can follow @UW_LSC or #uwlsc700 on X for key takeaways from the talks.
Speaker schedule
01/28: Jason Delborne
Associate Professor, La Follette School of Public Affairs, UW-Madison
When Biotechnology Goes “Wild”: Stakeholder Engagement for Emerging Environmental Biotechnologies
02/04: Brianne Suldovsky
Associate Professor, Department of Communication, Portland State University
Public Understanding of the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
02/11: Bret Shaw
Professor, Department of Life Sciences Communication, UW-Madison
Data-driven Messaging Strategies to Grow the Farmers’ Market Customer Base
02/18: Dan Vergano
Senior Editor, Scientific American
Science Reporting in Interesting Times: A View from the Fishbowl
02/25: Paul Brewer
Professor, Department of Communication, University of Delaware
Dire Wolves, Dodos, and Dinosaurs: Media Messages and Public Perceptions of De-Extinction
03/04: Nan Li
Associate Professor, Department of Life Sciences Communication, UW-Madison
Seeing Risk: Visual Science Communication and Ice Safety in a Changing Climate
03/11: Amy Becker
Professor, Department of Communication and Media, Loyola University – Maryland.
Political Comedy and Entertainment: Saving or Stifling Our Democracy?
03/18: Jill Hopke
Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, DePaul University
Climate Journalism in an Era of AI Slop
03/25: Jenell Johnson
Professor, Department of Communication Arts, UW-Madison
The Most Challenging Argument to Make: Feelings of Safety in Dark Sky Advocacy
04/01: SPRING BREAK
04/08: Lyn Van Swol
Professor, Department of Communication Arts, UW-Madison
Risk and efficacy in the communication of PFAS in municipal water
04/15: Scott Hershberger
Forestry Communications Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Extension Outreach to Private Woodland Owners: Science Communication in Action
04/22: Viviane Silvera
Artist-in-residence, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery & Division of the Arts, UW-Madison
Seeing Memory: How Art, Neuroscience, and Storytelling Shape What We Remember