What can we learn from the Covid pandemic about crisis communications? | Glen Nowak | Grady College

Research Comms

It's been more than two years since the Covid pandemic took hold. And although it may have more surprises in store for us, there is hope that the worst has passed.

So now seems a good time to start thinking about what lessons we can learn from the experience to better prepare us for future pandemics and public health crises.

How we communicate the science, risk and recommendations is one of the most critical things to get right.

Glen Nowak spent 14 years working at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) where he was director of media relations and director of communications for its National Immunization Program.

Today he is a professor of advertising and public relations at Grady College, where he also manages their new Center for Health and Risk Communication.

In this episode we talk about:

- Glen's take on how well organisations like the CDC have done over the past two years

- the core concepts that underpin crisis communications

- the importance of documenting research during crises

- the special challenges of a virus with unexpected longevity and messaging around the inevitable unknowns