Amy Koerber, Ph.D., (Project PI) is Professor in Communication Studies and Associate Dean for Administration & Finance in the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University. Dr. Koerber's research explores how experts make effective arguments, particularly in the context of health, science, and medicine. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Koerber will manage the multiple phases of the STEPP project, coordinate team activities, and contribute to the research and training phases of the project. Read Koerber's full faculty profile.

Karin Ardon-Dryer, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the Atmospheric Science Group at Texas Tech University. Her research examines the effect that aerosols particles have on climate, the environment, and our health. In particular, she takes an interdisciplinary approach and combines field and laboratory work to investigate the interaction between human and climate; exploring the human effects on climate, and vice versa, namely, how climate may affect our lives (e.g., health) in the short and long terms. As a co-investigator on this project, Karin will aid in the collection of qualitative interview data from a STEM field who are in different academic levels (graduate students, postdoc, junior faculty, and senior professor). Her contribution will provide the point of view of STEM into this project. Read Ardon-Dryer's full faculty profile.

Glenn Cummins, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media Industries. His research explores the impact of mediated message content and structure on audience response. As a co-investigator on this project, he will aid in the collection of qualitative interview data as well as other research aimed at understanding available training resources for scholarly publishing practices. Read Cummins' full faculty profile.

Lyombe Eko, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media Industries at Texas Tech University. He teaches courses in media law, comparative, and international communication. He earned his PhD in Journalism from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He has published four books (including a Gold Medal Winner, Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2014) and regularly contributes articles in the areas of law review and visual and international communication. As a co-investigator he will assist in conducting qualitative interviews, quantitative survey development, and provide guidance on the theoretical/ethics aspects of the grant project. Read Eko's full faculty profile.

Kerk F. Kee, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the Department of Professional Communication in the College of Media and Communication. His research explores the diffusion of innovations in scientific, health, environmental, and organizational contexts. As a co-investigator on this project, he will assist in conducting qualitative interviews and writing of manuscripts. Read Kee's full faculty profile.

Jesse Starkey, Ph.D., was the research assistant for the project as a PhD student in the College of Media and Communication, where she aided in data collection, analysis, website management, grant reporting, and other activities as needed. After graduation, she continued working with the team as an independent provider of professional services to help complete the final grant projects. Her research explores the societal-level communications related to social change.