Dr. Michael Cacciatore
About: Dr. Cacciatore teaches research methodology and introduction to public relations in the Department of Advertising & Public Relations. His research focuses on science and risk communication with an emphasis on media coverage of and opinion formation for such topics.
Education
Ph.D., Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S., Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.A., English, University of Manitoba
Research Interests and Activities
Dr. Cacciatore’s research has examined the communication of science and risk topics ranging from nanotechnology to food safety to global climate change. A significant portion of this research has tracked media depictions of science and risk issues, paying particular attention to the role of social media in the communication process. His other research has focused most directly on the interplay between media, values and risk in public opinion formation. Dr. Cacciatore’s work has been published in Public Understanding of Science, Science Communication, Risk Analysis, New Media & Society, and Health Affairs among others.
Michael A. Cacciatore (2023, March). “Depictions of Science in Media & Resulting Opinion Formation,” Invited presentation to the American Physical Society Forum on Outreach and Engaging the Public (Session Focus: […]
Read MoreMcKasy, M., Yeo, S. K., Zhang, J. S., Michael A. Cacciatore, Allen, H. W., & Su, L. Y.-F. (2022, December). “Social endorsement, credibility, and support for the regulation of research […]
Read MoreAlexandra Frank, Michael A. Cacciatore, Yeo, S.K., & Su, L. Y.-F. (2023, May). “Legitimate and appropriate science communication: The effects of anthropomorphic and satirical humor on source credibility.” Paper presentation […]
Read MoreJuan Meng, Pan, P., & Michael A. Cacciatore (2023). “The integrated role of adaptive leadership, sense of empathy, and communication transparency: A novel approach to trust building in public relations.” […]
Read MoreMichael A. Cacciatore, Yeo, S. K., Becker, A. B., & Anderson, A. A. (2023, May). “Cultivating interest in science through humor: Mirth as a leveler of gaps in science engagement,” […]
Read MoreYeo, S. K., Su, L. Y.-F., Michael A. Cacciatore, Zhang, J. S., & McKasy, M. (in press). “The differential effects of science humor on three scientific issues: Global warming, artificial […]
Read MoreYeo, S. K., Becker, A. B., Michael A. Cacciatore, Anderson, A. A., & Patel, K. (in press). “Humor can increase perceived communicator effectiveness regardless of race, gender, and expertise—If you’re […]
Read MoreGlen J. Nowak and Michael A. Cacciatore, “State of Vaccine Hesitancy in the United States,” forthcoming, in an upcoming issue of Pediatric Clinics of North America, a journal that provides […]
Read MoreAllen, H. W., Su, L. Y.-F., Gong, Z., Yeo, S. K., Cacciatore, M.A. “How metrics, perceived popularity, and perceived credibility affect information sharing intentions: A serial mediation model.” Paper presentation at […]
Read MoreMichael Cacciatore. “Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information about Biological Threats.” Invited workshop participant at the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee for Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information about […]
Read MoreMichael Cacciatore (2022, April). Invited keynote speaker at the Department of Life Sciences Communication Scholarship Reception at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, April 2022. Talk Summary: Provided opening remarks […]
Read MoreMichael Cacciatore (2022, April). “Considerations Surrounding Misinformation about Energy.” Invited presentation to the International Symposium on Public Opinion of Nuclear Energy and Other Energy Sources at Nanyang Technological University, online, April […]
Read MoreMichael Cacciatore “Engaging Audiences Online: Humor as a Tool for Science Communication.” Invited keynote presentation to the Public Online Engagement with Science Information (POESI) workshop at the Technology University of Braunschweig […]
Read MoreGlen Nowak is a co-Principal Investigator on a $1 million National Science Foundation Development Grant supported under NSF’s Phase 1 funding for projects involving Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention. This […]
Read MoreAbstract: The objective of this project is to create more reliable infectious disease models that are informed by social science regarding health-related preferences, perceptions and intentions/behaviors. This project will design […]
Read MoreAbstract: This research is motivated to advance our understanding of measurement challenges in communication practice and coping strategies from a global perspective. To do so, we relied on data from a […]
Read MoreAbstract: Widely accepted public health actions and recommendations, particularly those related to vaccines, are critical to U.S. and global responses to infectious disease pandemics, such as COVID-19. Drawing from nationally […]
Read MoreAbstract: This study investigated PR professionals’ attention to and perceptions of cybersecurity, and their involvement in handling cybersecurity incidents. Preliminary findings include that practitioners in the US and Canada did […]
Read MoreAbstract: Scientists have long incorporated humor into their communication, whether it be in informal presentations or peer-reviewed journal articles. Though it seems evident that humor could make stodgy scientific writing […]
Read MoreAbstract: Science communicators have been encouraged to use humor in their online engagement efforts. Yet, humor’s effectiveness for engaging people with science remains an open question. We report the results […]
Read MoreAbstract: A summary of the public opinion research on misinformation in the realm of science/health reveals inconsistencies in how the term has been defined and operationalized. A diverse set of […]
Read MoreAbstract: This research is motivated to advance our understanding of measurement challenges in communication practice and coping strategies from a global perspective. To do so, we relied on data from […]
Read MoreAbstract: This study investigates the types of humor embedded in funny scientific posts on social media and their effects on engagement. We mapped the landscape of such posts on Twitter […]
Read MoreInvited panelist at the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee for Addressing Inaccurate and Misleading Information about Biological Threats through Scientific Collaboration and Communication, online. Dr. Cacciatore served […]
Read MoreAbstract This research is motivated to advance our understanding of measurement challenges in communication practice and coping strategies from a global perspective. To do so, we relied on data from […]
Read MorePIs: Adam Dylewski (PBS Digital Studios; Project PI); Sara K. Yeo (University of Utah; Co-PI); Michael A. Cacciatore (University of Georgia; Co-PI) Funding Source: National Science Foundation (#DRL-2120006) Total Amount: […]
Read MoreMichael Cacciatore and Glen Nowak are part of a $2,974,744 five-year University of Georgia proposal submitted to the National Science Foundation to create a UGA Transdisplinary Earth System Science for […]
Read MoreGlen Nowak, Michael Cacciatore, Bart Wojdynski, Glenna Read, and Itai Himelboim are part of a University of Georgia proposal submitted in response to a National Institutes of Health call for […]
Read MoreAbstract: Emotional appeals are encouraged when engaging with public audiences. Yet, we lack evidence of the effectiveness of using such appeals in science communication. Here we present current research on […]
Read MoreAbstract: Humor is an important conduit for public engagement with science that is often recommended for scientists looking to conduct communication activities despite relatively little empirical evidence demonstrating its effectiveness. […]
Read MoreAbstract: While there is mounting evidence that humor can be an effective means of engaging publics, much remains to be learned about the contextual factors that shape how audiences receive […]
Read MoreAbstract: The use of humor is increasingly advocated as a means of enhancing the effectiveness and visibility of science messages on social media. However, the influence of humorous scientific content […]
Read MoreAbstract: Annual influenza vaccination has been recommended for all adults in the United States since 2010, but coverage estimates indicate that less than half of American adults complied during the […]
Read MoreAbstract: While there is mounting evidence that humor can be an effective means of engaging publics, much remains to be learned about the contextual factors that shape how audiences receive […]
Read MoreAbstract: This work summarizes the misinformation literature in the context of science and health. The public opinion work in this space reveals inconsistencies in how the term has been defined […]
Read MoreAbstract: This presentation is a broad overview of the issue of misinformation as it relates to public understanding of science and the communication of scientific information with public audiences. The […]
Read MoreAbstract: Given the role the Internet plays in communicating anti-vaccine sentiments, coupled with limited research in this area, this study focused on the social media platform Pinterest, analyzing 1,119 vaccine-related […]
Read MoreAbstract: Given their influence and visibility, understanding how news media cover topics involving medicines and how they provide information to their target audiences is essential when it comes to medicinal […]
Read MoreAbstract: This study examined otherization framing of people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa in American print news from 1987-2007. The results of a content analysis of a representative sample of […]
Read MoreAbstract: While it seems intuitive that highly visible vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks should impact perceptions of disease risk and facilitate vaccination, few empirical studies exist to confirm or dispel these beliefs. […]
Read MoreAbstract: Glaxo Smith Kline’s Cervarix was the first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine licensed for use in China in July 2016 and officially launched there on July 31, 2017. Since news […]
Read MoreAbstract: With social networking site (SNS) use now ubiquitous in American culture, researchers have started paying attention to its effects in a variety of domains. This study explores the relationships […]
Read MoreTeaching Specialties
Dr. Cacciatore has taught courses in research methodology, data analysis, risk communication, and social marketing, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Experience
Dr. Cacciatore has extensive research experience, including work on several large-scale, National Science Foundation-funded research grants. He has presented research findings at major communication conferences, and has published reports for groups like the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Cacciatore co-wrote a funded grant that will investigate humor effects in the context of science communication.
