Dunwoody named to social studies post

Sharon Dunwoody, an internationally recognized scholar in science journalism and mass communications research, has been named associate dean for social studies in the Graduate School, a post she has held on an interim basis since May 2001.

She replaces Martin Cadwallader, a professor of geography, who was named dean of the Graduate School in August.

Dunwoody, who is the Evjue-Bascom professor of journalism, and director of the university’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, joined the UW–Madison faculty in 1981. She is best known for her work in science communication and how risk is communicated through mass media. She has authored, co-authored or co-edited four books, and numerous scholarly articles and publications.

In addition to her work as director of the journalism school, a position she will relinquish at the end of the spring semester, Dunwoody has administrative experience that includes a three-year stint as chair of academic programs for the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.