Christine O'Connell

Dr. Christine O’Connell is the Associate Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and an Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism at Stony Brook University. As a scientist with an extensive interdisciplinary background in policy, outreach and communication, she brings a unique perspective to the Alda Center. She received her Ph.D. in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, and her B.S. in Natural Resources from Cornell University. Christine teaches and develops curriculum for graduate and undergraduate courses in science communication and speaks at national and international workshops for the Alda Center. She was part of the original group of scientists trained by Alan Alda in improvisation back in 2009, and manages The Flame Challenge, an international contest that asks scientists to communicate complex science in ways that would interest and enlighten an 11-year-old.

Christine has organized collaborations across academia, government, and the community – including an initiative between the humanities and sciences. Prior to her time at Stony Brook, Christine worked in the fields of environmental advocacy, community organizing, and public policy. She has been involved with organizing national environmental and political campaigns, and teaching community groups in New York City how to refine their message to talk to politicians, raise money, and organize their communities. She is experienced in scientific outreach, government relations, coalition building, campaign planning, social marketing, coaching, and facilitation. Christine’s scientific research involves the connections between science and society, with a focus on women in science, environmental communication, marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, waste management, conservation planning, and ecosystem services.