Author Archives: Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

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About Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Professor and researcher who studies science communication, particularly issues that impact American Indians. Dr. Coleman is an enrolled citizen of the Osage Nation.

Formative Years

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Growing up in London in the late 1960s made an indelible impact. The city was vibrant and incredibly accessible via bus and underground. I went to high school with a band of desperados keen on scouting the music scene and … Continue reading →

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The Balance Imperative and Native Concerns

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

In journalism classes we teach the balance imperative. Get both sides of the story. But as journalism critics we acknowledge that being balanced doesn’t mean the story always gets told.

Posted in ethics, framing, journalism, science, science communication | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Prairie Voles

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Sense of smell is primal. Sometimes, riding the bus into work, I smell my seat-mates, which is not always pleasant. Sweat, vomit, cigarettes and booze smells waft downwind.

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Schadenfreude

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Feelings of Schadenfreude crept into my sinews this week, making me feel delightful contrition in one fell swoop. How superficial to admit I enjoy the misfortune of others: the antithesis of being empathic. But sometimes a situation gels before your … Continue reading →

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The Art of Giving

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One of my friends is keenly interested in gift-giving. From a sociological perspective, giving gifts reflects important interpersonal ties. Even though my friend says she’d like to teach a class on gift giving, truth is, her interest stems from childhood … Continue reading →

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Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The film Contagion takes a peek at the CDC folks in Atlanta and shows that they care about one another: it’s the other folks that cause them grief—the feds and the locals. I think they got it right. I was … Continue reading →

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Contagion

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I’ve delayed reading the reviews for the new film Contagion until I sort though my feelings. When I worked at the CDC my colleagues didn’t suit up in the Day-Glo orange hazard gear but they did venture to outbreaks to … Continue reading →

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Science on the Edge of her Seat

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I advise students on research methods, which often puts me in a tenuous position. My job is to ensure that students learn methods by-the-book but the reality is that researchers tug and pull at methods, adapting and adjusting to circumstances. … Continue reading →

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Science Talk Sees Red

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Michele Bachmann’s recent pronouncement about vaccines is right up my alley because it reveals how we talk about science. In case you missed it, during a recent debate Bachmann scoured Rick Perry, governor of Texas, for requiring that girls in … Continue reading →

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Science and Uncertainty

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

A recent news story reported that the pop notion of different learning styles lacks proof. Fascinating that an idea we take for granted—that some folks are visual learners and some physical learners—has yet to gain empirical traction.

Posted in journalism, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication | Tagged , | 1 Comment