Planet SciComm is back in 2026!

Our first episode of the year, in honor of Valentine's Day, explores the lovey-dovey behavior of different animals. Sam, Sarah, and Allie dive into the world of monogamous sleepy lizards, dancing sage grouse, and empathetic rats.

Learn more at utahsciencecommunicators.com, follow us on Instagram @utahsciencecommunicators, and don't miss our upcoming events! Contact us at: utahsciencecommunicators@gmail.com.

This podcast is independently produced and distributed by Utah Science Communicators. The opinions expressed are those of the people involved in this organization and guests, and do not reflect the official views of the University of Utah.

Notes:

More on sleepy lizards: https://blog.nature.org/2021/09/20/the-love-stories-of-sleepy-lizards/

Sage Grouse mating dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCBQrVpeLQU

Lucy Cooke: http://www.lucycooke.tv/

More on empathetic rats: https://news.uchicago.edu/story/helping-your-fellow-rat-rodents-show-empathy-driven-behavior#:~:text=While%20emotional%20contagion%20is%20the%20simplest%20form,immediately%20upon%20placement%20in%20the%20test%20arena.

On this episode of Planet SciComm, Sarah and Allie chat with graduate student Courtney Demmitt-Rice about her experiences as a researcher, mother, and caretaker. Courtney discusses how public health policy intersects with her research, why we should all care about rare diseases, and why lipids are the most underrated macromolecule.

Learn more at utahsciencecommunicators.com, follow us on Instagram @utahsciencecommunicators, and don't miss our upcoming events! Contact us at: utahsciencecommunicators@gmail.com

Note: Courtney does not receive any money for June's medical services, only insurance coverage through Medicaid.

This podcast is independently produced and distributed by Utah Science Communicators. The opinions expressed are those of the people involved in this organization and guests and do not reflect the official views of the University of Utah.

Join us for the second episode of Planet SciComm: A Utah Science Communicators Podcast, where we dive into the science behind science communication.

Allie White and Nathan Johnston sit down with Dr. Sara Yeo, one of the original hosts of Planet SciComm. Dr. Yeo is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, where she researches strategic science communication, public opinions of STEM, and information processing.

In this interview, Sara, Allie, and Nathan delve into a variety of topics, ranging from why ospreys are the best bird to the importance of impact identity in science communication.

Learn more at utahsciencecommunicators.com, follow us on Instagram @utahsciencecommunicators, and don’t miss our upcoming events! Contact us at: utahsciencecommunicators@gmail.com

Check out the links below to learn more about some of the references made in this episode:

https://www.kavlifoundation.org/news/insights-and-practical-considerations-for-communicating-basic-science

https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12411/strategic-science-communication?srsltid=AfmBOorYxETMFhRpW8hTKMyEEMZmhyNTyE40Lgag1WPV2nsOHvkF4Thh

https://stemap.utah.edu/

https://www.kenyon.edu/news/archive/turtles-all-the-way-down/

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Osprey/overview

https://www.science.org/content/article/fifteen-years-later-science-retracts-arsenic-life-paper-despite-study-authors

This podcast is independently produced and distributed by Utah Science Communicators. The opinions expressed are those of the people involved in this organization and do not reflect the official view of the University of Utah.