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Category: NSWA event Panel Discussion: Can Humor Help Us Fight Misinformation About Science?

5:00 pm
January 27, 2022

Zoom video meeting

Registration page: Panel Discussion: Can Humor Help Us Fight Misinformation About Science?


What’s the best way to fight the spread of misinformation? When someone shares misleading facts about vaccines or climate change on Twitter, should we be furious — or should we try to be funny?

Recent research suggests that humor has an important role in countering misinformation about science. One study found that scientists are perceived as more likable, but no less credible, when they use humor to communicate their ideas.

How does it work? And what does it mean for journalists and science communicators? To find out, please join us on Thursday, January 27 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Pacific for a lively discussion with experts from academia, journalism, and comedy writing.

Featured panelists:

Eve Andrews, staff writer at Grist.org and longtime writer of Ask Umbra, an advice column about life under climate change

Dr. Rachel Moran, postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington studying misinformation and disinformation in digital environments

Sarah Rose Siskind and Dr. Carolyn Ayers, a TV comedy writer and a data scientist who co-founded the science communication consulting group Hello SciCom

Dr. Sara K. Yeo, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Utah interested in how emotions and humor affect public attitudes toward science

NSWA board member and occasional humor writer Mara Grunbaum will moderate. Register here to join the virtual event on January 27!


Please note: NSWA provides these event details as a courtesy to science-related organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Please confirm event details with the sponsoring organization before attending.