Profile

Matthew Nisbet

Assistant Professor
Communication, School of

  • Matthew Nisbet, Ph.D. is a social scientist who studies strategic communication in policy-making and public affairs, focusing on controversies surrounding science, the environment, and public health.  He is the author of more than two dozen journal articles and book chapters, and serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Press/Politics and Science Communication.  His scholarship has been cited more than 300 times in the peer-reviewed literature and in more than 100 books.

    Nisbet’s current research on climate change communication is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation where he is a Health Policy Investigator.  He has also worked as a consultant to the National Academies, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Science Foundation and other leading organizations.  Nisbet is a frequently invited speaker at universities and meetings across North America and Europe and he has lectured on more than two dozen college campuses.

  • Degrees

    A.B. Dartmouth College (Government); M.S. Cornell University (Communication); Ph.D. Cornell University (Communication)

  • OFFICE

  • SOC - School of Communication
  • McCabe - 220

  • CONTACT INFO

  • (202) 885-2104 (Mobile)
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  • MEDIA RELATIONS

  • To request an interview
    please call AU Media Relations
    at 202-885-5950 or
    submit an interview request form.

Partnerships & Affiliations

Teaching

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles (22)

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Scheufele, D.A. (2009). What's Next for Science Communication? Promising Directions and Lingering Distractions. American Journal of Botany, 96 (10), 1767-1778. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2009). Communicating Climate Change: Why Frames Matter to Public Engagement. Environment, 51 (2), 514-518. (HTML)
  • Bubela, T., Nisbet, M.C. et al. (2009). Science Communication Re-Considered. Nature Biotechnology, 27, 514-518. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Kotcher, J. (2009). A Two Step Flow of Influence? Opinion-Leader Campaigns on Climate Change.  Science Communication, 30, 328-358. (PDF)
  • Roser-Renouf, C. & Nisbet, M.C. (2008). The Measure of Key Behavioral Science Constructs in Climate Change Research. International Journal of Sustainability Communication, 3, 37-95. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Goidel, R.K. (2007). Understanding Citizen Perceptions of Science Controversy: Bridging the Enthographic-Survey Research Divide. Public Understanding of Science, 16, 4, 421-440. (Abstract).
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Myers, T. (2007). Twenty-years of Public Opinion about Global Warming. Public Opinion Quarterly, 71, 3, 444-70 (PDF).
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Mooney, C. (2007). Policy Forum: Framing Science.  Science, 316, 5821, 56 (HTML, PDF).
  • Brossard, D. & Nisbet, M.C. (2007).  Deference to Scientific Authority Among a Low Information Public. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 19, 1, 24-52.
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Huge, M. (2006).  Attention Cycles and Frames in the Plant Biotechnology Debate:  Managing Power and Participation Through the Press/Policy Connection.  Harvard International Journal of Press-Politics, 11, 3-40.
  • Goidel, K. & Nisbet, M.C. (2006).  Exploring the Roots of Public Participation in the Controversy Over Stem Cell Research and Cloning.  Political Behavior, 28 (2), 175-192.
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2005).  The Competion for Worldviews: Values, Information, and Public Support for Stem Cell Research.  International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 17, 1, 90-112.
  • Scheufele, D.A., Nisbet, M.C. & Ostman, R.A. (2005).  International News in Times of Crisis:  September 11 News Coverage, Public Opinion, and Support for Civil Liberties.  Mass Communication & Society, 8, (3), 197-218.
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Scheufele, D.A. (2005).  Political Talk as a Catalyst for Online Citizenship.  Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 81, 4, 877-896.
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2004).  Public Opinion about Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning.  Public Opinion Quarterly, 68 (1), 132-155. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C., Brossard, D. & Kroepsch, A. (2003).  Framing Science: The Stem Cell Controversy in an Age of Press/Politics.  Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 8 (2), 36-70. (PDF)
  • Scheufele, D.A., Nisbet, M.C., & Brossard, D. (2003). Pathways to Participation?  Religion, Communication Contexts, and Mass Media.  International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 15 (3), 300-24. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C., Scheufele, D.A., Shanahan, J, Moy, P., Brossard, D., & Lewenstein, B.V. (2002).  Knowledge, Reservations, or Promise? A Media Effects Model for Public Perceptions of Science and Technology.  Communication Research, 29 (5), 584-608. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Lewenstein, B.V. (2002).  Biotechnology and the American Media:  The Policy Process and the Elite Press, 1970 to 1999.  Science Communication, 23 (4), 359-391. (PDF)
  • Scheufele, D.A. & Nisbet, M.C. (2002).  Being a Citizen Online:  New Opportunities and Dead Ends.  Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 7 (3), 53-73. (PDF)

Scholarly Book Chapters (6)

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Feldman, L. (in press, 2010).  The Social Psychology of Political Communication.  In D. Hook, B. Franks, & M. Bauer (Eds.), Communication, Culture, and Social Change:  The Social Psychological Perspective.  London: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Nisbet, M.C. (in press, Dec. 2009).  Knowledge Into Action:  Framing the Debates Over Climate Change and Poverty.  In P. D'Angelo & J. Kuypers, Doing News Framing Analysis:  Empirical, Theoretical, and Normative Perspectives.  New York: Routledge. [Link]
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2009).  Framing Science: A New Paradigm in Public Engagement.  In L. Kahlor & P. Stout (Eds.), Communicating Science:  New Agendas in Communication (pp. 40-67).  New York: Routledge. [Link]
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2009).  The Ethics of Framing Science.  In b. Nerlich, B. Larson, & R. Elliott (Eds.) Communicating Biological Sciences:  Ethical and Metaphorical Dimensions (pp. 51-74).  London: Ashgate. [Link]
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2008).  Communicating Climate Change:  Real People, Urban Places.  In R. Plunz & M.P. Sutto (Eds), Urban Climate Change Crossroads (pp 93-110).  New York: Urban Design Lab, Columbia University. [Link]
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2007).  Where Do Science Policy Debates Come From?  In D. Brossard, J. Shanahan, & C. Nesbitt (Eds), The Public, the Media, and Agricultural Biotechnology.  (pp. 193-230). New York:  Oxford University Press. [Link]

Selected Magazine Articles, Op-Eds, Reviews, and Reports

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Aufderheide, P. (2009). Documentary Film: Towards a Research Agenda on Forms, Functions.  Mass Communication & Society, 12, (4), 450-56. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C., Brossard, D. & Scheufele, D.A. (2009, Sept. 16). Science Needs a Storyline. Columbia Journalism Review Online. (HTML)
  • Aufderheide, P., Clark, J., Nisbet, M.C., Dessauer, C. & Donnelly, K. (2009). Best Practices in Digital Journalism.  Report to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting by the Center for Social Media at American University, Washington, DC. (PDF, HTML)
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2008, Sept./Oct.).  Ben Stein's Trojan Horse:  Mobilizing the State House and Local News Agenda. Skeptical Inquirer, 32, 5, 16-18. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2007).  Communicating about Poverty and Low Wage Work: A New Agenda.  Report to Inclusion and the Mobility Agenda, Washington, DC. (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Scheufele, D.A. (2007, Oct.)  The Future of Public Engagement.  The Scientist, 21, 10, 38-44. [Cover Article].  (PDF)
  • Nisbet, M.C. & Mooney, C. (2007, April 15).  Thanks for the Facts. Now Sell Them.  Sunday Outlook. Washington Post, B3. (HTML)
  • Nisbet, M.C. (2006).  Review: The Evolution of Key Mass Communication Concepts: Honoring Jack M. McLeod.  Mass Communication & Society, 9 (3), 367-372. (PDF)
  • Mooney C. & Nisbet, M.C. (2006, Sept./Oct.).  When Coverage of Evolution Shifts to the Political and Opinion Pages, The Scientific Context Falls Away, Unraveling Darwin.  Columbia Journalism Review, 31-39. [Cover Article].

Media Appearances

* Selected out of more than 90 appearances.

  • Kerr, R. (2009, Nov. 13). Amid Worrisome Signs of Warming, "Climate Fatigue" Sets In.  Science, 326, 925-928.
  • Montenegro, M. (2009, May 21). Is There a Better Word for Doom? Six Experts Discuss the Merits of Framing Climate Change. Seed Magazine.
  • Marshal, C. (2009, May 15). Gore Talks about Politics, Polls, and Protests. New York Times Online.
  • Marchal, C. (2009, March 5). The Language of the Cap and Trade Debate. New York Times Online.
  • Revkin, A. (2009, Feb. 24). In Climate Debate, Exaggeration is a Pitfall. New York Times.
  • Margolis, J. (2008, Nov. 21) Denial Near and Far. The World. Public Radio International. *Carried by more than 200 public radio stations.
  • Russell, C. (2008, July/August). Climate Change: Now What. Columbia Journalism Review.
  • Margolis, J. (2008, March 5). A Gathering of Global Warming Skeptics. The World. Public Radio International. *Carried by more than 200 public radio stations.
  • The Kojo Namdi Show (2008, Jan. 23). Bi-Partisan Approaches to Environmental Policy. WAMU-NPR.
  • The Kojo Namdi Show (2007, Oct. 22). Scientists, Elected Officials, and Policy. WAMU-NPR.
  • Breslow, J.M. (2007, Oct. 13). The Framing of Science. Chronicle of Higher Education.
  • Kerr, R.A. (2007).  Global Warming: Nobel Peace Prize Won by Host of Scientists and One Crusader. Science, 318, 5849, 372-373.
  • Kolmes, K.A. (2007). Science, Religion, and Climate Change. Science, 316, 540-542.
  • On the Media (2007, April 13).  Blinded with Science: Interview with Matthew Nisbet. WNYC-NPR. * Carried by more than 100 public radio stations.
  • Boyle, A. (2007, April 5). Frame or Be Framed? MSNBC.com.
  • Goodman, E. (2007, Feb. 9). No Change in Political Climate. Boston Globe. * Syndicated in 200 newspapers.
  • Kerr, R. (2007).  Climate Change: U.S. Policy: A Permanent Sea Change? Science, 315, 756-757.

Professional Presentations

  • 2.27.10   Climate Change and Informal Learning, Annual Meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), San Diego, CA.
  • 12.12.09   Restarting the Conversation on Climate Change, Annual Meetings of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), San Francisco, CA.
  • 11.12.09   Engaging Americans on Climate Change, American University Alumni Event, New York City. [Link]
  • 11.06.09   Deconstructing Borders in the Climate Policy Debate, School of International Service, American University.

CURRICULUM VITAE

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AU Expert

Area of Expertise: Political communication; public opinion research; intersection between media, politics, and science and environmental issues; citizen activism

Additional Information:  Matthew C. Nisbet is a social scientist who studies the nature and impacts of strategic communication. His current research tracks scientific and environmental controversies, examining the interactions between experts, journalists, and various publics. His work focuses on current issues, including how news coverage both reflects and shapes policy; how citizens make sense of controversies, and the ways strategists try to mold public opinion; and how citizens mobilize and involve themselves in debate. He has studied a wide range of controversies, including stem cell research, global warming, intelligent design, plant biotechnology, and hurricanes. In a second area of research, Nisbet focuses on general questions related to political communication, including the role new and traditional media play in mobilizing citizens in shaping public opinion; how strategists take advantage of new technologies and a fragmented media system to target opinion leaders and specialized audiences; and how church, work or other influences in the community shape media choices and how these choices impact citizen behavior. He is the author or coauthor of 20 research articles and book chapters, and his work has appeared in leading journals, including Public Opinion Quarterly, International Journal of Public Opinion Research, Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, Communication Research, Political Communication, Political Behavior, Mass Communication and Society, Science Communication, and Public Understanding of Science.

Media Relations
To request an interview please call AU Media Relations at 202-885-5950 or submit an interview request form.

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