The Burness Effect Blog

Scientific and research institutions in the US and abroad are increasingly recognizing the importance of teaching scientists to communicate clearly and concisely to the public and other key audiences. Without this skill, science stays stuck in university laboratories never to be understood, or perhaps more importantly, appreciated for the value it brings to our society.

There was a discussion between two former solicitors general, Walter Dellinger and Paul Clement, about the recent court ruling that the provision in health reform requiring most Americans to buy health insurance is unconstitutional.

The Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications

Andy Burness shares his thoughts on Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida.

The Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity released the most comprehensive study ever conducted on fast-food nutrition and marketing to children. The findings? Fast-food companies provide largely unhealthy side dishes and drinks as the default options with kids’ meals, and advertise to children as young as 2 across a variety of media.

Dr. Elliot Krane, of the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University Medical School and a Mayday Pain & Society Fellow, has a goal to end children’s suffering from chronic pain. One of the biggest barriers to better care for kids in his pain clinic is the lack of coverage for the treatments that will make them well.

The TEDx talks recently came to Nairobi, and with each speaker the old views of what this city is all about faded further and further away. There were talks about everything from plastic bag recycling, to encouraging more youth in agriculture, to solar powered stoves, to rebranding what is “modern and cool” in Nairobi society in order to save the environment.

Scientists' voices are so often missing from the messages because of fear of crossing the lobbying line, because there is no incentive to raise a voice, or because someone else is advocating for them.

Ann Christiano has assumed the Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida, the nation’s first professorship with this particular focus.

BurnessDigital is new, but we’ve been crafting online strategy for several years: we have told the stories of exceptional nonprofits in videos, brought attention to their ideas with social media campaigns and dynamic websites, and worked to “move the needle” by crafting online strategies that advance their communications goals. This launch is the next step in the evolution of our communications approach.

In a New York Times article by Peter S. Goodman, three corporate giants (BP, Toyota and Goldman Sachs) are scrutinized on the art—or not so much—of crisis communications. Each company facing unique challenges, their experiences are lessons worth learning, as any organization—despite good intentions—is ultimately responsible for appeasing public opinion. The article highlighted things to remember during a crisis.