About Dr. Cohen
I’m an Assistant Professor of Science and Risk Communication at the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon.
My research explores how people perceive, understand, and communicate about emerging environmental risks. More specifically, my work (a) identifies how people form perceptions and judgments about these emergent risks, (b) examines how information sources influence these judgments, and (c) explores how institutional actors like policymakers, journalists, and scientists can effectively communicate these risks.
The contexts I research range from novel technologies to environmental justice and risk management of natural hazards. Both my academic and professional experience inspire my work; my PhD in Psychology allows me to harness theories from behavioral sciences, while my former positions as the Director of Operations of Our Climate Voices and Social Scientist at the National Science Foundation provide me with lived experiences of working in climate justice and science communications spaces.
As I navigate the intersections of communications, behavioral decision science, and sustainability, my commitment remains steadfast: fostering a deeper connection between science, society, and science communicators for a more informed and resilient future.
My work has been featured in Nature, CNN Business, The New York Times, Yes!Magazine, Fox, Haaretz, among other platforms.
Please see my Google Scholar page and my CV (PDF) to see a list of my publications and work.