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    Methods and the Messsage: Studing the Role of Communication in Stopping Pandemics
    Methods and the Messsage: Studing the Role of Communication in Stopping Pandemics , redirect

    Julie Gerdes, who specializes in the intersection of technical communication and global public health, believes communication is key in stopping the spread of infectious diseases. She has been inspired to use her skills to tackle COVID-19 through a research project, supported by the Council on Vibrant Virginia, with co-funding from ISCE and Virginia Cooperative Extension, that examines vaccine hesitancy among Latinx communities. While communication is an important tool in ending pandemics, Gerdes warned it can create larger problems if not used responsibly, such as pitting people against each other. She said it is important to think about the terms used to describe the vaccine. Not listening to concerns, Gerdes said, creates distrust and negatively affects population health.

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    Presentation by Social Science Research Council President Focuses on Research Landscape of Social and Behavioral Science
    Presentation by Social Science Research Council President Focuses on Research Landscape of Social and Behavioral Science , redirect

    The Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment hosted the president of the Social Science Research Council, Anna Harvey, as part of Virginia Tech’s Sesquicentennial celebration and in recognition of the institute’s 15-year anniversary on March 31st. The Social Science Research Council is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. focused on promoting social science research and the role social scientists play in solving pressing contemporary problems. Harvey presented on the current landscape of social and behavioral science research and strategies that both funders and universities can adopt to increase the production of policy-based evidence of impact at scale. Read more about this event in the preview article published in the Virginia Tech Daily News.

Faculty Highlights

ISCE Features

Video Now Available for ISCE's 15th Anniversary Event with SSRC President

A recording of the presentation by Anna Harvey, the Social Science Research Council president, on March 31st in celebration of Virginia Tech's Sesquicentennial and ISCE's 15th Anniversary, is now available to the Virginia Tech community. Click here to view it.

ISCE's COVID-19 Publication Repository Highlights Response of Social Scientists

Since April 2020, ISCE has maintained a repository of social science-oriented COVID-19 publications that are authored by or feature Virginia Tech faculty. Although ISCE is no longer actively identifying publications, faculty may still send any relevant publications to Yancey Crawford for posting. Click here to view the repository.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Research

To learn more about the impact COVID-19 on research at Virginia Tech, visit the guidance for research continuity webpage developed by the Office of the Vice President for Research & Innovation or access previously posted messages for the research community.

List of COVID-19 related Funding Opportunities

OVPRI has established a website with COVID-19 related funding opportunities and are identifying ways to support faculty who submit applications.