Public Understanding of Science

Newspaper Columns & Essays

A compiled version of these writings is available on Because, my newsletter ↗

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As Flint Reeled From a Water Crisis, Words May Have Caused Harm

Undark (with Keith Petrie and Marc Edwards) • 2023

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Who Dares to Speak Up? An Interview with Tuskegee Whistleblower Peter Buxtun

American Scientist (with Marc Edwards and Carol Yang) • 2021

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What Can We Learn from Misinformation on Scientific Matters in the Water Space?

International Water Association • 2020

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From Sewage Sludge, a New Perspective on the Flint Water Crisis

Undark (with Marc Edwards; syndicated in Mother Jones) • 2020

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Flint Water Crisis Shows the Dangers of a Scientific Dark Age

CNN (with Marc Edwards) • 2019

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Science is a Public Good in Peril - Here's How to Fix It

Aeon (with Marc Edwards) • 2017

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The Hand-in-Hand Spread of Mistrust and Misinformation in Flint

American Scientist (Feature Article) • 2017

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We Helped Uncover a Public Health Crisis in Flint, but Learned There Are Costs to Doing Good Science

The Conversation (with William J. Rhoads and Rebekah Martin; syndicated in PBS, Scientific American) • 2016

Documentaries & Films

PBS® NOVA® 'Poisoned Water' ↗

Winner of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award

Also available on Netflix ↗

Virginia Tech Documentary 'Cicero' ↗

FLINT ↗ (Hulu)

Factually inaccurate but entertaining

Podcasts & Documentary Series

As Executive Producer (with Marc Edwards)

The Public-Inspired Science Podcast

Listen on iTunes ↗

US Water Study Documentary Series

With documentarian Erica Corder

Watch on YouTube ↗

Research Websites

The US Water Study Team

Visit Website ↗

Flint Water Study

1M+ web traffic

Visit Website ↗

Read paper on my public engagement via Twitter ↗

Moderated Panels & Discussions

"Academic Freedom and the Flint Water Crisis"

HxA Conference Panel • June 2025

"The Science and Politics of Journal Retractions"

Conversation with Ivan Oransky, Retraction Watch • May 2022

"Fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic"

Evidence-based Approaches from Environmental Engineers • July 2020

Produced Videos

Flint Water Study - A Visual Ode to Environmental Engineers

2nd Prize: AEESP National Video Competition 2015-16

Public Understanding of Science

TED Talk

Science in Service to the Public Good on TED.com ↗

Newspaper Columns & Essays

As Flint Reeled From a Water Crisis, Words May Have Caused Harm

Who Dares to Speak Up? An Interview with Tuskegee Whistleblower Peter Buxtun

What Can We Learn from Misinformation on Scientific Matters in the Water Space?

From Sewage Sludge, a New Perspective on the Flint Water Crisis

Flint Water Crisis Shows the Dangers of a Scientific Dark Age

Science is a Public Good in Peril - Here's How to Fix It

The Hand-in-Hand Spread of Mistrust and Misinformation in Flint

We Helped Uncover a Public Health Crisis in Flint, but Learned There Are Costs to Doing Good Science