Centre for Science, Health and Data Communication Research

We gather media and communication scholars, sociologists, psychologists, statisticians and scientists to respond to the urgent need for more effective and more engaging science and science-based communication.

About the Centre

Recent decades of exponential increase in scientific discoveries – with all the hopes and fears they create for humanity – have brought the need for public engagement with science to a central position in public and private life.

Yet, from anti-vaccine protests and climate change scepticism to ethical concerns over genetic engineering or safety fears over nanomaterial and artificial intelligence, building public confidence in scientific research has proved to be a major challenge facing the world today.

At the same time, the rise of a ‘datafied society’ has led to an urgent demand for improving digital data and science literacy. This includes everything from enhancing the public’s ability to recognise science and health mis/disinformation on social media, to building people’s capacities to harness digital technologies and share data in ways that can help achieve the UN’s sustainability goals.

These information sharing challenges call for more research, teaching and training into the effective communication of science, health and data. Whether evidence-based information is being shared with government policymakers or translated from academic jargons into lay language for broader publics, the methods, techniques, strategies and types of media we use to tell evidence-based stories matter.

Our research centre focuses on ambitious cross-disciplinary collaborations to address the above issues.

Building on BU’s existing successes, the centre brings together experts from various disciplines – media and communication, computer and data sciences, health and medical sciences, environment sciences, business studies, psychology and sociology – to research and pioneer interdisciplinary solutions for contemporary communication challenges.

From reporting COVID-19 statistics to promoting science information literacy to tackle disinformation on social media, from suicide prevention through improved journalism to more efficient communication around environmental and humanitarian disasters, our members respond to real world issues—often in real time.

Research clusters

Journalism for Public Engagement with Science and Data

The roles, functions and practices of journalism in enhancing public engagement with scientific research and evidence, including

News approaches to science controversies, mis/disinformation and denialism
Journalism as a science democratisation platform
Science journalism for development in the Global South
The uses and misuses of data and statistics in the news media (including data journalism practices)

Theme Leader: Prof An Nguyen – [email protected]

Communicating Climate Change and Sustainability

Communication of climate change sciences and proposed mitigation and adaption measures, as well as the importance and practicality of choosing more sustainable options in everyday life:

Positive and negative communication of the impacts of climate change, including on health
Narrative methods of communicating climate change and sustainability
Communication for behavioural change, to encourage uptake of more sustainable options

Theme Leader: Asso Prof Phillipa Gillingham – [email protected]

Risk and Disaster Communications

Evidence-based communication of risk, disaster drivers and their impacts, as well as the local/global politics around these issues:

Nature of risk and disaster
Community and organisational understanding and approach to mitigating risks and disaster drivers
Key communication and information distribution during disaster and crises
Communication, news media and opinion dynamics around disasters and adverse risks

Theme Leader: Dr Jamie Matthews – [email protected]

Data Communication for Social Good

"Humanising" data for social good, putting people at the centre of data insights, Big Data initiatives and AI:

Best practices in data communications including data visualisastions, dashboard design and infographics
Evidence-based data stories to counter mis- and disinformation
Data storytelling, innovating effective and empathic communication
Education and skills-based training to empower data users and data analysts, including web-based and AI tools

Theme Leader: Prof Anna Feigenbaum – [email protected]

Media and Information Literacy for Healthy Communication Ecosystems

Digital Narratives & Storytelling for Science and Health

Entertainment narratives (e.g. interactive digital narratives, fiction, games, film, TV, and comics) as science and health communication and education:

Effecting positive behaviour change through narrative and play
Interdisciplinary, mixed, and practice-based methods and teams
Effective educational narratives for use in everyday classrooms and lessons
Challenging the ‘facts for laypeople’ approach to science and health communication
Combatting mis- and disinformation through playful and engaging narratives

Theme leader: Asso. Prof R. Lyle Skains – [email protected]

Communicating Health Innovations

Communication and behaviour affecting adoption of science and health innovations:

Tackling challenges in adoption of science and health innovations and interventions
Effective and applicable communication models and theories in dissemination of health innovation
Establishing a network for research and practice in health innovation communication and behaviour

Theme Leader: Dr Mona Sayed Esfahani – [email protected]

Strategic Health Communication for Behaviour Change

Public health communication strategies and efficacy in inducing behaviour change:

Approaches to branding, positioning, messaging, media use, community engagement, etc.
Health communication interventions in diverse settings, particularly with vulnerable and underserved populations
Co-creating and evaluating strategic health communication campaigns

Theme Leader: Dr Tauheed Ramjaun – [email protected]

Our members

Core Members

Dr Elvira Bolat, Associate Professor in Digital Marketing
Karen Butters, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Dr Vegard Engen, Associate Professor & Deputy Head of Computing and Informatics
Dr Mona Sayed Esfahani, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Communication
Professor Anna Feigenbaum, Professor in Digital Storytelling (Centre Co-Director)
Dr Phillipa Gillingham, Associate Professor of Biogeography
Professor Amanda Korstjens, Professor of Behavioural Ecology
Dr. Gernot Liebchen, Principal Academic in Computing
Professor Ann Luce, Professor of Journalism and Health Communication & Deputy Dean
Professor Julian McDougall, Professor in Media and Education
Dr Jamie Matthews, Principal Academic in Journalism and Communication
Dr. Joanne Mayoh, Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Activity and Health
Professor An Nguyen, Professor of Journalism and Public Communication (Centre Co-Director)
Dr Osikhuemhe Okwilagwe, Senior Lecturer in Strategy
Dr. Keith Parry, Deputy Head of Department in Sport and Event Management
Dr Tauheed Ramjaun, Principal Academic in Corporate and Marketing Communications
Dr. Saffron Scott, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
Dr Lyle Skains, Associate Professor in Health and Science Communication
Dr Shelley Thompson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience
Dr Angela Turner-Wilson, Deputy Head of Department in Medical Sciences And Public Health
Dr Stacy Wall, Senior Lecturer In Digital Advertising and Marketing Communications
Dr Carina Westling, Principal Academic in Cross-Platform Media
Dr Xin Zhao, Senior Lecturer in Marketing Communications

Associate Members

Dr Bernhard Angele, Principal Academic in Psychology
Dr Edward Apeh, Principal Academic in Computing
Lois Betts, Sustainability Manager
Dr Catalin Brylla, Principal Academic in Film and Television
Professor Marcin Budka, Professor of Data Science
Dr Huseyin Dogan, Associate Professor in Computing
Dr Tom Davis, Associate Professor in Music and Audio Technology
Dr Ieuan Franklin, Lecturer in History and Politics
Dr Benjamin Gorman, Lecturer in Computer Science
Dr Charlie Hargood, Principal Academic in Games Technology
Dr Trevor Hearing, Principal Academic in Media Production
Professor Ann Hemingway, Professor of Public Health and Wellbeing
Professor Dan Jackson, Professor of Media and Communication
Professor Darren Lilleker, Professor of Political Communication
Adam Morris, Engagement Officer
Dr Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology
Maria Musarskaya, Lecturer in Marketing
Professor Adrian Newton, Professor of Conservation Ecology
Dr. Constantina Panourgia, Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Dr. Chris Pullen, Associate Professor in Media and Inclusivity
Dr Karen Reddin, Senior Lecturer in Immersive Environments for Disaste
Professor Edwin van Teijlingen, Professor of Reproductive Health
Professor Scott Wright, Professor of Journalism and Political Communication & Deputy Dean

Postgraduate Group

SHDC hosts a postgraduate research group to provide PGR students with opportunities to enhance research and professional skills, expand networks, and collaborate with other researchers. PGRs may join multiple CSHDCR clusters, choosing those that best suit your work and provide you representation and access to relevant resources, support, and networking.

Activities include:

Events, talks and training sessions on (e.g.) data analysis, ethics, communication, and career development (open to all PGRs)
Networking opportunities with PGRs, CSHDCR members, including academics, industry partners, and policy makers
Collaboration opportunities on research papers, projects, and grants
Matching PGRs with mentors within CSHDCR for support throughout the research journey

Group Leader: Abier Hamidi [email protected]

Visiting Fellows

We welcome scholars and practitioners who wish to spend time conducting relevant research or knowledge exchange projects at the centre. Our Visiting Fellowship appointments can be between three months and three years, with a possibility of extension, depending on the nature of the prospective fellow's planned collaboration and involvement. We will also consider applications for shorter-term visits. Recent visitors to the centre include:

Dr Sweta Baniya, Virginia Tech
Dr Alice Fleerackers, Univeristy of British Columbia
Dr Guy Redden, University of Sydney
Prof Patty Raun, Virginia Tech

For more information on eligibility and application process, contact Professor An Nguyen at [email protected].

Working with partners

Cooperation and knowledge exchange are embedded into our research centre’s responsive and imaginative work. We actively practise diversity and inclusivity in the production and promotion of innovative, world-leading interdisciplinary research working with a rich range of industry, third sector and policy-making bodies locally and abroad.

Our past and present partners include, among others, University Hospitals Dorset, Public Health Dorset, Public Health England, Ofcom, Royal Statistical Society, World Federation of Science Journalists, Association of British Science Writers, Solutions Journalism Network, SciDev.Net, Media and Information Literacy Alliance, Newsquest, DC Thomson, BBC World Service, Amnesty International and UNESCO.

Research centre members also actively appear in media outlets around the world, from the BBC to Le Monde to South China Morning Post, showcasing the kinds of exemplary science communication they research and teach

Evaluating Media Literacy with a Theory of Change

Producing a new media literacy evaluation framework, using a theory of change to measure the difference media literacy makes to people’s lives.

BU research shows comic-style graphics can aid in communicating important public health information

The research has found that the comic medium can be a vital communication tool in sharing important information.

Latest news:

28/03/2024

Who do we blame for COVID-19: New study sheds light on blame dynamics

Dr Jamie Matthews writes about his research exploring the principal figures of blame during coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

21/07/2023

BU Professor’s research contributes to House of Commons report around NHS mental health services

Professor Ann Luce provided written evidence regarding her research around suicide risk to NHS mental health staff and its impact on care.

13/04/2023

Behind the scenes of COVID-19 health advice from Sir Jonathan Van Tam

Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam, gave a public talk at Bournemouth University to share his experience of science communication during the pandemic.

27/02/2023

Sir Jonathan Van-Tam to speak at BU

BU is to host Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam for a one-off public conversation on the subject of health communication and the Covid-19 pandemic.