Public Interest Communications

Research & Insights

Is Awareness Ever Enough?

In the latest edition of The Stanford Social Innovation Review, Ann Christiano, the Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications, and Annie Neimand, communications manager for the College of Journalism and Communications and research director for frank, argue that changemakers must put an end to raising awareness. Instead, those seeking to move the…

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Posted: April 24, 2017

Research & Insights

Stop Raising Awareness Already

By Ann Christiano and Annie Neimand Too many organizations concentrate on raising awareness about an issue—such as the danger of eating disorders or loss of natural habitat—without knowing how to translate that awareness into action, by getting people to change their behavior or act on their beliefs. It’s time for…

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Posted: March 13, 2017

By Lauren Griffin and Annie Neimand To some liberals, Donald Trump’s inauguration portends doom for the republic; to many conservatives, it’s a crowning moment for the nation that will usher in an era of growth and optimism. It’s as if each side is living in a different country – and a different reality.…

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Posted: January 26, 2017

The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications today awarded its $10,000 grand prize in public interest communication to Dr. Troy Campbell, assistant professor of marketing, Lindquist College of Business, University of Oregon and Aaron Kay, professor at The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University.  The research prize, which…

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Posted: March 10, 2016

Florida Weekly features the Public Interest Communications program and Karel Chair Ann Christiano in the September 17, 2015 article, “Florida Fellows Bring Communication Skills to Nonprofit Grantees.”

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Posted: September 17, 2015

After spending three days in Gainesville, it was time for the franksters to head home. frank 2015 ended Friday afternoon following two more sessions of speakers and a closing ceremony, where attendees watched a recap video that compiled images from the week’s events. As a gathering for a community of…

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Posted: March 9, 2015

To end a day filled with speakers, frank invited the Gainesville community to join it and its attendees for night of food, fun and live music. On Thursday evening, more than 3,000 people gathered in Bo Diddley Downtown Community Plaza for a street fair to hear music from opening act…

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Posted: February 27, 2015

Earlier this afternoon, about 300 attendees gathered into the main stage of the Hippodrome. The room glowed in frank-colored lights, as Pristine Stringz, a local musical duo, The Savants of Souls, a local band, and two dancers clad in leotards soon filled the stage for a whimsical performance for the…

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Posted: February 26, 2015

Basking in a radiant orchid glow with soulful jams wafting through the wood structure of Gainesville’s recently restored train depot, the second annual frank gathering kicked off earlier tonight at the welcome rally. frank is more than a conference. It is a gathering of a community of public interest communicators…

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Posted: February 25, 2015