Dr. Becky Dawson, an epidemiologist turned advocate for public scholarship, shares her inspiring journey from traditional academia to engaging directly with communities. She highlights her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for clear communication about public health. Becky discusses balancing academic responsibilities with public engagement and offers tips for academics transitioning to media appearances. She reflects on the impact of public scholarship on health policies and advocates for addressing health disparities through education and strategic planning.
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Becky’s TV Debut Story
Becky Dawson started her public scholarship journey by agreeing to a local TV COVID interview the day the first US case was diagnosed.
This led to frequent TV appearances and a paid contributor role, building her media presence steadily.
insights INSIGHT
Time Commitment for Public Scholarship
Becky spends about 8-10 hours weekly on public scholarship tasks like TV prep and newsletter writing.
Public scholarship demands consistent effort in preparing content, editing, and audience engagement to be effective.
insights INSIGHT
Measuring Public Scholarship Impact
Becky reframes public scholarship metrics by tracking newsletter opens and TV segment views as impact measures.
She leverages community peer reviewers instead of traditional academic peer review for quality assurance.
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In today's episode, I welcome Dr. Becky Dawson back to the podcast. Dr. Becky has chosen to direct her academic work to public scholarship. She's one of my most inspiring clients, and her journey shows how public-facing scholarship can be a career-defining move and a way to make real, tangible impacts on the community. From regular TV segments to hosting live Q&A sessions on social media, Dr. Becky has built a reputation as a trusted voice in epidemiology and public health.
Dr. Becky shares her transition from traditional academic work to public scholarship, exploring how she successfully pitches this work to her university by aligning her efforts with her academic mission. If you are considering stepping into public scholarship, this conversation offers practical advice on juggling impact, visibility, and university dynamics. Tune in to hear Becky's inspiring story and learn how you can get your academic work and academic vision to the people whose lives you will make better through your work.
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