Understanding Distrust in Science

UNDERSTANDING DISTRUST IN SCIENCE: COJO DEPT. RESEARCHES DATA DISCORD

cell information from Henrietta Lacks. When teaching science journalism, Landreville thinks it’s important for students to understand the past and where science has done harm, so they can be vigilant about protecting communities and their trust moving forward. Landreville sought to diversify science journalism by making inclusion and access focal points for the internships offered. In partnership with Wyoming Public Media, Landreville worked with many outstanding students, including a student who was raised on Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering Karen Wawrousek, Brett Peterson and Julia Dickie in the the Wind River Indian Reservation newly remodeled engineering lab. interested in the intersection of science writing, journalism and health In growing years, it has promotion in underserved Wyoming communities. become apparent that Reseachers like CooXooEii Black of the Wind River increasing populations Indian Reservation and graduate of Colorado College have of civilians are been able to access the funds from the NSF grant for research skeptical of data on their home communities. While not a UW student, Black scientists. With the has worked with UW community members as he studies the circulation of fake intricacies of his Northern Arapaho culture and considers the news and narratives needs of his community, especially in relation to public health surrounding unreliable and wellbeing. reporting, it’s Landreville sees a large need for these internships.

Photo of student researcher CooXooEii understandable why Dependable science writing is essential, especially in times courtesy of wyomingepscor.blogspot.com there is such a distrust of crisis, like the current COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the in public sciences and initial cohorts of interns have had great success: they have media. University of Wyoming Communication Professor written and produced over 75 stories and are finding the Kristin Landreville sought to understand this phenomenon process illuminating. through research with her students.

Receiving an National Science Foundation (NSF) “MY HOPE IS THAT WHAT [THE STUDENTS] grant to conduct further study, Landreville recruited her ARE DOING IS REALLY FRUITFUL,” SAID best and brightest students, securing them internships in LANDREVILLE. communications through science writing. Landreville noted one of the barriers for laypeople when trusting scientist comes With a $10,000 support from Wyoming EPSCoR, from times in the past where, in the name of science, trusting mentors, interns and students have been supported through people were harmed and taken advantage of. For example, their internship process. The hope is that funding will the forced disease infection in Tuskegee, or the stealing of continue through the 2021-22 academic year.