Michael F. Dahlstrom
Assistant Professor
Curriculum Vitae
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Contact Information:
mfd@iastate.edu
(608) 469-9602
215 Hamilton Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50010
Education:
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison: Journalism and Mass Communications joint with Environmental Resources
M.S., Iowa State University: Biophysics
B.A., Iowa State University: Journalism and Communication
B.S., Iowa State University: Biophysics
Teaching:
Jl MC 547. Science Communication. Graduate-level course focused on theories of science, risk and enviornmental communication. Students are expected to either produce a theoretical-based research paper or build an entensive portfolio of science writing for general audiences.
Jl MC 347. Science Communication. Reporting and writing about science and technology topics for general audiences. Outlets for stories include print, broadcast and online media. Story topics include reporting about basic, applied sciences and social sciences, as well as ethical, political and policy issues related to science and technology.
Jl MC 305. Publicity Methods. Communication and publicity fundamentals and the use of media for publicity purposes. Preparing releases for print and broadcast; basics of publicity campaigns.
Jl MC 201. Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media.
Generating story ideas, exercising news judgment and gathering information via interviews, observation and documentary sources to produce news and informational material for the mass media. Emphasis on analyzing and organizing information, as well as accuracy and principles of good writing.
Links:
Iowa State University
Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Research Interests:
My research investigates science, risk, health and environmental communication and the role of narratives in influencing perceptions of and support for current science controversies. Much of science communication literature focuses on the processing and effects of cognitive claims regarding science. Yet, studies into narrative persuasion find that entertainment narratives often have a strong and covert influence on attitudes and beliefs. My work intends to bridge these disciplines and investigate how narratives might influence perceptions of science.
Recent Publications:
Dahlstrom, M.F. & Scheufele, D. (2010). Diversity of television exposure and its association with the cultivation of concern for environmental risks. Environmental Communication. 4 (1) 54-65.
Dahlstrom, M.F. (In press) The role of causality in information acceptance in narratives: An exmple from science comunication. Communication Research.
Dahlstrom, M.F., Dudo, A.D. & Brossard, D. (In press). Precision of information, sensational information, and self-efficacy information as message-level variables affecting risk perceptions. Risk Analysis.
Dudo, A.D., Dahlstrom, M.F., & Brossard, D. (2007). Reporting a potential pandemic: A risk-related assessment of avian flu coverage in U.S. newspapers. Science Communication. 28 (4) 429-454.
Conference Presentations:
Dahlstrom, M.F. & Sar, S. (2010). The influence of mood and information processing on recall: Exploring item-specific, relational and narratice processing. Communication Theory and Methodlogy Division of the 2010 AEJMC Convention, Denver.
Dahlstrom, M.F. (2010). The moderation of perceived realism by narrative causality of information acceptance: An example in science communication. Mass Communication Division of the 2010 ICA Convention, Singapore.
Dahlstrom, M.F. (2009). The strength of causality on narrative persuasion in the face of contradictory belief structures. Mass Communication Division of the 2009 ICA Convention, Chicago.
Dahlstrom, M.F. (2008). Inside the narrative: The role of information placement upon narrative persuasion. Mass Communication and Society Division of the 2008 AEJMC Convention, Chicago.
Dahlstrom, M.F. & Dudo, A.D. (2007). Precision of information, sensationalism, and self efficacy as message-level variables affecting risk perceptions. Science Communication Interest Group of the 2007 AEJMC Convention, Washington, D.C.
Dahlstrom, M.F. (2007). Human Intention as a Means to activate narrative over paradigmatic processing. Graduate Education Interest Group of the 2007 AEJMC Convention, Washington, D.C. Top Student Paper Panel.
Dahlstrom, M. F. (2007). Prime time risks: A cultivation look into channel diversity and exposure purpose on environmental risk perceptions. Mass Communication Division of the 2007 ICA Convention, San Francisco.
Dudo, A.D. & Dahlstrom, M.F. (2006). Reporting a potential pandemic: A risk-related assessment of avian flu coverage in U.S. newspapers. Science Communication Interest Group of the 2006 AEJMC Convention, San Francisco. Top Student Paper Award.
Dahlstrom, M. F. (2006) Great ape donations: The effect of narrative persuasion on a typical environmental campaign. 2006 Narrative Matters Conference, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.