Recently, several members of the Science Communications lab at Texas A&M University presented research at the Western AAAE Conference in Bozeman, Montana.
Jean Parrella, a doctoral student, presented a paper co-authored with Dr. Matthew Baker, Dr. Peng Lu and Dr. Holli Leggette titled “Investigating the Effect of Consumers’ Knowledge on their Acceptance of Functional Foods: A Meta-Analytic Review”. Parrella also presented two posters. The first poster was co-authored with Dr. Holli Leggette titled “Investigating the Impact of Message Framing on Consumer Perceptions of Food Safety: A Meta-Analytic Review”. The second poster was co-authored with Dr. Theresa Murphrey, Dr. Holli Leggette and Anna Bates titled “Investigating the Relationship Between Secondary Agricultural Science Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Their Beliefs about Decision-Making: Results from a Pilot Study”.
McKenna Bush, a masters student, presented a research poster co-authored with Jean Parrella, Madalynn Kainer and Dr. Holli Leggette titled “Exploring the Applicability of the Science Communication Research Agenda to Agricultural Communications Scholarship”.
Madalynn Kainer, a masters student, presented a research poster co-authored with Dr. Holli Leggette, Dr. Thomas Chappell and Jean Parrella titled “Understanding Research Priorities and Criteria Affecting Decisions for Cotton Production in the United States: A Content Analysis”.
Dr. Theresa Murphrey presented two innovative idea posters. The first poster was co-authored with Audra Richburg, Dr. Holli Leggette and Dr. Manuel Piña, Jr. titled “A Curriculum Development Blueprint: Building Cohesive Federally Funded Agriculture Curricula”. The second poster was co-authored with Carmen Benson, Danette Philpot and Dr. Manuel Piña, Jr. titled “Strengthening Gender Responsive Global Agricultural Education and Outreach in Higher Education: The Origins of a Community of Practice”.
Conference attendees also had the opportunity to learn more about agriculture in Montana and learn more about Montana State University’s agriculture programs. Tour stops included the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching Farm, Montana State University Culinary Services and the Montana State University Sheep Station at historic Fort Ellis. The team also visited the Museum of the Rockies and learned about dinosaurs, fossils, natural history, Yellowstone National Park and American Indians.