معرفی
Sara K. Yeo is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, where she also serves as Director of the STEM Ambassador Program (STEMAP). With formal training as both a bench and field scientist, she brings unique interdisciplinary expertise to her work at the intersection of science, media, and politics. Her academic journey spans multiple disciplines, reflecting her commitment to bridging scientific and communication domains.
Dr. Yeo's research focuses on strategic science and risk communication, public opinion of STEM issues, and information seeking and processing. She has pioneered work on humor in science communication, examining how different types of humor (satire, anthropomorphism) affect public engagement with scientific topics. Her research also explores inequities in science knowledge across racial and ethnic groups, the role of emotion in science communication, and public perceptions of emerging technologies. She approaches science communication as both a theoretical and practical endeavor, seeking to bridge the gap between research and practice.
Analysis of Dr. Yeo's recent publications reveals a strong focus on innovative communication strategies for complex scientific topics, particularly examining how humor can facilitate engagement with controversial science issues like climate change, renewable energy, and geothermal systems. Her work consistently addresses questions of credibility, knowledge gaps across demographic groups, and the psychological mechanisms through which science messages influence public attitudes and behaviors. She has made significant contributions to understanding how different media formats and emotional appeals affect science communication outcomes.
- Outstanding Article Award (2019, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication)
- Rising Star in the Humanities Award (2016, College of Humanities, University of Utah)
Dr. Yeo has secured substantial research funding for projects examining science communication strategies, including the CREATE-AQI project on community resilience through air quality information, research on humor as a strategy for communicating about enhanced geothermal systems, and initiatives focused on engaging multicultural audiences with STEM content on YouTube. Her grant portfolio demonstrates a commitment to translating science communication research into practical applications that address societal challenges.
As Director of the STEM Ambassador Program at the University of Utah, Dr. Yeo leads initiatives that connect STEM professionals with broader audiences. Her leadership extends to national organizations, where she serves on committees for the Society for Risk Analysis, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
