Sol Hart

Sol Hart is a Professor at the University of Michigan with joint appointments in Communication and Media and the Program in the Environment. His research specializes in strategic communication for environmental, science, and risk issues, focusing on media's role in public engagement and cross-ideological messaging. Funded by NSF, EPA, and USDA, his work bridges disciplines from climate policy to digital activism.

Education:

• Ph.D., Communication, Cornell University
• M.S., Environmental Studies, University of Oregon
• B.S., Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning, UC Davis

Hart's research explores how communication strategies influence public perception and behavior regarding environmental challenges. His Environmental Communication Lab investigates media effects, persuasion tactics, and message framing across polarized audiences. Recent work examines social media advocacy, misinformation governance, and visual storytelling in climate contexts.

Publications emphasize climate communication, political polarization, and digital engagement. Articles show recurring themes: social media's role in environmental advocacy, partisan influences on climate beliefs, and behavioral impacts of message framing. Cross-disciplinary approaches integrate political science, psychology, and data science.

Grants support projects on climate messaging efficacy and public engagement strategies. Hart advises interdisciplinary teams and collaborates with government agencies. The Environmental Communication Lab fosters student research on media effects and strategic communication.