Good Trouble in the Time of COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Health Communication
• Science Communication
• Organizational Communication

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the pervasive issue of health misinformation.
• Traditional communication strategies focused on rebuilding public trust in scientific institutions and expertise.
• A critical limitation of this approach is its dependence on trustworthy institutional leadership.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine a specific instance where university leadership actions jeopardized public trust during the pandemic.
• To explore the role of faculty in mitigating threats to institutional credibility.
• To advocate for transparency, accountability, and science-based truth-telling in health communication.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of a case study involving George Mason University's "safe return to campus" plan.
• Examination of the interplay between institutional actions, faculty response, and public perception.
• Narrative storytelling to illustrate the challenges and resolutions in health communication.

Main Results:

• University leaders' actions inadvertently eroded public trust in the "safe return to campus" initiative.
• A mobilized faculty played a crucial role in countering the negative impact of leadership decisions.
• Faculty advocacy successfully pushed for greater transparency and accountability from university administration.

Conclusions:

• Effective health communication requires more than just amplifying expertise; it necessitates trustworthy leadership.
• Faculty engagement and organized action can be vital in safeguarding institutional credibility during health crises.
• Demanding transparency, accountability, and science-based decision-making is essential for maintaining public trust in academic institutions.