Dominic Balog-Way | Risk Communication at Cornell University

Assistant Professor of Risk Communication

Cornell University

Advancing how societies communicate, interpret, and govern risk in a rapidly changing world

I investigate why people disagree about risk, how complex communication challenges can be addressed, and how concepts such as trust, transparency, misinformation, and uncertainty shape public debate and policy. My research combines theoretical and applied perspectives to develop more effective approaches to decision-making, engagement, and strategic risk communication.

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Research

Investigating risk and communication in society

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and reports

Teaching

Courses for students & professionals of all levels

Speaking & Media

Talks, interviews, podcasts, and appearances

Recent News

Dominic Balog-Way and three risk communication students sitting behind a table during a conference

New White Paper

Community Engagement in Energy Transitions

Drawing on four decades of research, our white paper provides evidence-based recommendations for helping communities, developers, and decision-makers navigate renewable energy developments more effectively.

eCornell Course (fall launch)

Strategic Risk Communication Certificate

Professional education for developing strategic, evidence-informed approaches to risk communication.

Group of deer standing and grazing on a grassy field with trees in the background.

New Academic Venture Fund Grant

Is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Spreading Like Wildfire?

Exploring how climate-driven wildfires may create new pathways for environmental risk and what this means for communication, management, and public decision-making

About

I am an interdisciplinary social scientist at Cornell University with more than 15 years of experience studying how people, organizations, and societies communicate, interpret, and respond to complex risks.

My research crosses health, environmental, energy, and emerging technology contexts to examine why risks become contested, how communication processes can be improved, and how evidence-informed approaches can strengthen engagement, decision-making, and public policy.

Assistant Professor
Department of Communication, Cornell University

Faculty Fellow
Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability

Board Chair
Strategic Endowment Fund, Society for Risk Analysis

View CV →

    Unpacking the risk of misinformation
  
    Reframing misinformation as a complex and contested risk communication problem

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2025

2020

Selected Publications

    Hiddden in plain sight: Why enhancing transparency requires effective communication processes
  
    Why transparency alone rarely builds trust and confidence

    The evolving field of risk communication
  
    A widely cited overview of how risk communication has evolved as a field

Speaking & Media Highlights

Plenary address

Learning from experience to improve local engagement

ACE-NY fall Conference

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Podcast guest

How Early Engagement Builds Stronger Renewable Projects

Plugging-In podcast

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