Authors offer responses to the challenge of science denial

The United States continues to grapple with the discrediting of science, the repudiation of scientific facts, science misinformation and disinformation, and increasing distrust and skepticism concerning science and scientists.

MTSO welcomes psychologists and authors Gale M. Sinatra and Barbara K. Hofer to discuss pressing issues related to science denial and the role of religion during a virtual event, “Trust in Science? Responses to the Challenge of Science Denial.”

Part of MTSO’s Science and Religion Digital Dialogues series, “Trust in Science?” begins at 7 p.m. Eastern May 10. It is free and open to the public. Advance Zoom registration is required and available here.

Sinatra and Hofer are the authors of Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It, published in 2021 by Oxford University Press. The book focuses on key psychological constructs such as reasoning biases, social identity, epistemic cognition, and emotions and attitudes that limit or facilitate public understanding of science, and it describes solutions for individuals, educators, science communicators and policy makers. MTSO will give free copies of Science Denial to the first 50 “Trust in Science?” registrants.

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Gale M. Sinatra is the Stephen H. Crocker Chair and professor of psychology and education at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. She received her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Sinatra chaired the American Psychological Association Climate Task Force and heads the Motivated Change Research Lab at USC, the mission of which is understanding the cognitive, motivational and emotional processes that lead to attitude change, conceptual change and successful STEM learning.

Barbara K. Hofer is a professor of psychology emerita at Middlebury College and a fellow of the American Psychological Association. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan from the Combined Program in Education and Psychology, with a certificate in culture and cognition, and an Ed.M. in human development from Harvard University.

Hofer co-edited the book Personal Epistemology: The Psychology of Beliefs about Knowledge and Knowing and co-authored The iConnected Parent: Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) while Letting Them Grow Up.

The Science and Religion Digital Dialogues series serves MTSO students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as members of the wider community, addressing challenges to meaningful science and religion dialogues and to encouraging public engagement with science. It is made possible through the Science for Seminaries project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Dialogues on Science, Ethics, and Religion program.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in counseling, practical theology, social justice and theological studies, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

CONTACT:

Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322