Discourse Processes is excited to use this blog to spur conversations about research related to discourse processing and comprehension!  

In these times, science denial is influencing decisions and conversations at different levels of society.  Individuals must choose whether or not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, understand how the spread of information can influence events (such as the war in Ukraine), make decisions that may have implications for climate change, and engage in dialogue with others with conflicting viewpoints about controversial topics (such as the overturning of Roe vs. Wade).  At the policy level, lawmakers should consider scientific evidence when crafting and advocating for particular policies and laws on such topics.  Scientific research has important and meaningful findings to inform such topics and decisions.  However, for science to inform conversations, decisions, and policy, findings must be communicated in an accessible manner. (For more information, check out work by Mónica I. Feliú-Mójer; Baruch Fischhoff and Dietram A. Scheufele; and Gale Sinatra and Barbara Hofer.  Future blog posts will also focus on these topics!)

The research published in Discourse Processes and in other related journals is more important than ever.  Having a central location to discuss it will increase its usefulness for society and deepen our understanding of major trends in the field. This blog is here to encourage conversation between scientists, practitioners, educators, the media, and the general public.  Please comment on posts, engage in spirited conversation, share posts to your social media account, and keep the dialogue going!

We would like to thank Dr. Andy Elfenbein, one of our Associate Editors, for the idea of creating this blog.  We think it is brilliant, and we can’t wait to see the conversations flourish.

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Let’s get the conversations started!

–Catherine (Kate) Bohn-Gettler & Johanna K. Kaakinen, Editors-in-Chief