PhD in Communication

Shaelyn Patzer, 2026

Degree: PhD in Science Communication

I chose to study at George Mason University primarily because of the exceptional work being conducted at Mason's Center for Climate Change Communication (4C). The center is known for leveraging communication as a powerful tool to understand and address climate change. What drew me was the opportunity to work with experts who are both deeply knowledgeable about climate change and are committed to understanding best practices in effectively engaging multiple audiences on the subject.

My primary area of study is science communication, specifically climate change communication. Climate change is a wicked problem—complex in both causes and solutions. I chose this field because I believe social science is critical to developing and implementing mitigation and adaptation measures that account for human behaviors, perceptions, and motivations.

My dissertation explored American's perceptions of their personal experiences of climate change and how those experiences impacted their climate engagement behavior. The data was longitudinal, taken from three waves of the Climate Change in the American Mind (CCAM) surveys, which gave me a unique window into how perceptions of climate experiences shifted over time.

Most impactful class:

While this question is almost as unfair as a request to pick a favorite book, if pushed I will say that COMM 700: Building Social Science Theory was one of the most influential classes on my academic experience at George Mason.

Favorite George Mason memory:

Some of my favorite memories at George Mason were from running the collaboration between 4C and the National Park Service. The program paired accomplished undergraduate and graduate students with parks in the National Capital Region to develop climate change communication materials tailored for the parks. The opportunity to work with the park system (filled with dedicated and knowledgeable federal employees) and young professionals who produced such an amazing diversity of products (from podcasts to a junior ranger program), was consistently a yearly highlight for me.

Advice for future George Mason graduate students:

Don't hesitate to seek support from professors and classmates—building a strong network can provide both academic assistance and emotional support, and the bonds you make with your cohort can help pull you through the hard times. As difficult as it is, try to aim for a work-life balance to prevent burnout. Finally, keep your long-term goals in mind as you navigate through your program and let your work build on itself. A dissertation built on years of related research from your classwork is less daunting than a new topic.

Future plans:

My career goals have always been motivated by a desire to work towards climate solutions, and I intend to continue to apply that motivation as I take the next steps in my career trajectory.