Merryn McKinnon

ORCID: 0000-0003-4808-0380
Publications
Citations
Views
---
Saved
---
About
Contact & Profiles
Research Areas
  • Climate Change Communication and Perception
  • School Health and Nursing Education
  • Gender Diversity and Inequality
  • Public Health Policies and Education
  • Media Studies and Communication
  • Diverse Educational Innovations Studies
  • Social Media and Politics
  • Career Development and Diversity
  • Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
  • Misinformation and Its Impacts
  • Community Health and Development
  • Social Media in Health Education
  • Science Education and Perceptions
  • Health Policy Implementation Science
  • Science Education and Pedagogy
  • Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration
  • Public Relations and Crisis Communication
  • Labor Movements and Unions
  • Media Influence and Health
  • Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
  • Zoonotic diseases and public health
  • Service-Learning and Community Engagement
  • Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
  • Teacher Professional Development and Motivation
  • Mentoring and Academic Development

Australian National University
2016-2025

ACT Government
2014

University of Wollongong
1965

Gender equity in academia is a long-standing struggle. Although common to all disciplines, the impacts of bias and stereotypes are particularly pronounced science, technology, engineering mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This paper explores what barriers exist for career progression women STEM disciplines order identify key issues potential solutions. In particular, we were interested how perceive affecting their careers comparison male colleagues. Fourteen focus groups with...

10.3390/soc11020027 article EN cc-by Societies 2021-03-24

Citizen science engages members of the public in research design, data collection, and analysis – asking answering questions about world around them. The United States, European Union, Australia have placed citizen at forefront national policy. Journals such as Science, Nature Bioscience regularly feature projects conducted by citizens. millions people worldwide. However, to date, population health has not relied heavily on contributions. Although community-based participatory action remains...

10.1080/09581596.2017.1395393 article EN Critical Public Health 2017-11-09

Abstract Gender biases and stereotypes are prevalent in science, technology, engineering mathematics (STEM) fields, which can create obstacles for the attraction, retention progression of girls women to STEM studies careers. There many initiatives used attempt address these stereotypes, including use visible role models. This study explores perceptions applied female professionals who publicly speak about their work both academic non-academic settings. Using workshops with over 300...

10.1057/s41599-020-00654-0 article EN cc-by Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 2020-11-25

This article examines contemporary representations of female and male scientists in The New York Times with a particular emphasis on stereotypes related to gender science as profession. selected series profiles is approximately proportional its representation women generally gives rounded diverse picture their subjects. Traditionally ‘masculine’ characteristics (e.g. individual drive brilliance) well ‘feminine’ communal skills collaboration, communication teamwork) are attributed both...

10.1177/0963662518801257 article EN Public Understanding of Science 2018-09-24

Effective engagement with diverse stakeholders, combating misinformation and encouraging wider participation in science is core to communication practice, comprises much of the current focus research discipline. Global events, such as COVID-19 pandemic, have clearly shown that social inequalities also manifest within structures, including those communication. Practices which are inclusive audiences key if we wish engage finding solutions societal issues. Yet there little available evidence...

10.3389/fcomm.2021.744365 article EN cc-by Frontiers in Communication 2021-10-11

Conspiracy theories have accompanied vaccination since its mass introduction, circulating, among other forms, in humour - such as cartoons, and now, memes. Importantly, has targeted both anti-vaccination stances. In this study, we discuss the peculiarities of humorous content within debate uncover most popular thematic categories, forms logical mechanisms humour. We show that serious discussions on go hand-in-hand, but playfulness ambiguity complicate public understanding debate. Our...

10.1177/09636625221147019 article EN Public Understanding of Science 2023-01-30

The science teaching self-efficacy beliefs of primary school teachers influence practice. purpose this research was to determine if informal education institutions, such as centres, could provide professional development that influences the pre-service and in-service teachers. A cohort eight final-year 13 in Australia participated over a period 18 months. results showed four hours workshops produced by centres were capable increasing all but three participants, with observable effects for at...

10.1080/21548455.2013.793432 article EN International Journal of Science Education Part B 2013-05-16

Communities are rarely seen as the ideal level at which to focus science communication efforts, compared individual, psychological or mass, societal levels. Yet evidence from allied fields suggests building interpersonal relationships with specific communities over time is key meaningful engagement, so orienting towards warranted. In this paper, we argue case. We review previous studies, identifying three existing models of community-oriented communication, label ‘neighbourly’,...

10.22323/2.20030212 article EN cc-by-nc-nd Journal of Science Communication 2021-05-10

Abstract This paper explores the range of initiatives offered across Australia to support attraction, retention and progression girls women science, technology, engineering mathematics (STEM) studies careers. A mapping exercise, conducted by author as part development Decadal Plan for Women in STEM Australian Academy Science, provided an overview 337 programmes nationally, majority which were university scholarships. Academia, industry government are main providers these initiatives, with...

10.1002/ajs4.142 article EN Australian Journal of Social Issues 2020-11-15

Access to timely, accurate health-related information can protect migrants' health during public crises. However, unmet language needs, social alienation and mistrust were among the barriers that migrants faced in accessing official about COVID-19 recommended vaccines. This study aimed explore information-seeking behaviour vaccines Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) born Australia. With an explanatory mixed-method approach, we employed online survey followed by semi-structured interviews....

10.1177/17579759251334391 article EN PubMed 2025-05-09

Science communication and science education have the same overarching aim—to engage their audiences in science—and both disciplines face similar challenges achieving this aim. Knowing how to effectively ‘audiences’ is fundamental success of both. Both well-developed research fields identifying best practice. However, there seems be an impediment putting knowledge into practice, or even much sharing between 2 disciplines. Threshold concepts refer that are thinking practice a discipline. In...

10.1080/21548455.2014.986770 article EN International Journal of Science Education Part B 2014-11-28

This study compares Australian government vaccination campaigns from two very different time periods, the early nineteenth century (1803–24) and twenty-first (2016). It explores modes of rhetoric frames that officials used in each period to encourage parents vaccinate their children. The analysis shows modern rely primarily on scientific fact, whereas 200 years ago personal stories emotional appeals were more common. We argue a return old ways may be needed address vaccine hesitancy around world.

10.22323/2.16030208 article EN cc-by-nc-nd Journal of Science Communication 2017-07-20

Abstract Diverse and inclusive marine research is paramount to addressing ocean sustainability challenges in the 21st century, as envisioned by UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Despite increasing efforts diversify science, women continue face barriers at various stages their career, which inhibits progression leadership within academic institutions. In this perspective, we draw on collective experiences thirty-four global leaders, bolstered a narrative review, identify...

10.1093/icesjms/fsac214 article EN cc-by ICES Journal of Marine Science 2022-12-16

Science communication research is dominated by Western countries. While their provides insight into best practices, findings cannot be generalized to developing This study examined the science challenges encountered scientists and communicators from Manila, Philippines through an online survey semi-structured, investigative interviews. Their answers revealed issues which have been echoed in other international studies. However, of accessibility local attitudes were magnified within...

10.22323/2.19010203 article EN cc-by-nc-nd Journal of Science Communication 2020-02-03

. 1) Background: Intersectionality contests that individuals have multiple characteristics in their identity cannot be siloed or deemed exclusive to each other. Understanding and utilising an intersectional lens organisations can increase inclusion of organisational performance. An educational package known as the Walk (IW) was developed by authors, piloted, evaluated order break down commonly held descriptors diversity silos fragments inclusion, understand how various compound disadvantage....

10.20944/preprints202101.0172.v1 article EN 2021-01-11

Since 1985, the Science Circus program has recruited science graduates Australia-wide and provided them with communication training leading to a university degree. On qualifying these demonstrate highly diverse career paths reflecting relevance of other disciplines. Graduates, by their activities, have contributed growth as an academic discipline “industry”—both in Australia abroad. It suggests that can impact far beyond narrowly defined disciplines skill sets, this is worthy further exploration.

10.1177/1075547017696166 article EN Science Communication 2017-03-25

Engaging public audiences with population health science necessarily requires a society level perspective; however, many existing communication strategies and programs tend to focus at the individual level. This paper describes novel approach engaging community members social determinants of outcomes using an interactive exhibit within centre. The was capable supporting understanding about in adults children under age 15 average three-minute interaction. presence facilitator who guided...

10.1080/09581596.2019.1575948 article EN Critical Public Health 2019-02-08

Social media is increasingly being used by science communicators, journalists and government agencies to engage in discourse with a range of publics. Despite growing body literature on Twitter use, the communication via comparatively under explored. This paper examines prominence scientific issues political debate occurring during 2013 2016 Australian federal election campaigns. Hashtracking umbrella hashtag auspol was capture tweets two campaign periods. The particularly relevant as major...

10.22323/2.15060204 article EN cc-by-nc-nd Journal of Science Communication 2016-11-29

Scientists, science communicators and journalists interact to deliver news the public. Yet value of interactions between groups in delivering high-quality stories is poorly understood within Australia. A recent study New Zealand on perspectives three challenges facing journalism replicated here context South Wales Australian Capital Territory. While all perceived quality as generally high, limitations non-specialists public relation materials were causes for concern. The results indicate...

10.1177/0963662517701589 article EN Public Understanding of Science 2017-03-29
Coming Soon ...