We are very excited to welome Dr. Linda Pfeiffer to our YDAE team as an Assistant Professor in Agricultural and Life Sciences Communication. Please stop by AGAD 203 to welcome a talented interpersonal communicator, writer and experienced teacher to our ranks. .

Dr. Pfeiffer holds a joint PhD in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and in Environment and Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her area of specialization is in science communication, specifically in systematic factors that contribute to the breakdown of the effective communication of controversial science. Dr. Pfeiffer also holds a Masters degree in Community Counseling and has extensive experience with interpersonal communication. Her bachelors’ degree was in Psychology. She has taught courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison including the senior service-learning capstone course - Building a Sustainable Wisconsin Garden, as well as Mass Media and Multicultural America, and the Introduction to Journalism course.

Dr. Pfeiffer’s research interests include the systematic factors that impact the effective construction of science narratives and subsequently the understanding of science by the public and policy-makers. A second research focus includes how information-processing variables impact public understanding and engagement with science issues. She is an active participant at the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR), the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), and the International Environmental Communication Association (IECA).

Linda will be developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses to advance science communication capacity across the College of Agriculture. She will provide scholarly leadership for the College of Agriculture’s Issues 360 program and advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Pfeiffer and continue to strengthen our Agricultural Communication program.