LSC Announces 2026 Science Communication Colloquium Speaker Lineup—From AI and Science Reporting to Boosting Farmers Markets

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: No Speaker    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    04/29: Jenell Johnson   Professor, Department of Communication Arts, UW–Madison  The Most Challenging Argument to Make: Feelings of Safety in Dark Sky Advocacy