Dominic Balog-Way

Dominic Balog-Way is Assistant Professor of Risk Communication in the Department of Communication at Cornell University. His research examines how people, organizations, and societies communicate, interpret, and govern risk under conditions of uncertainty. From public health and pharmaceuticals to climate change, energy transitions, food safety and artificial intelligence, Professor Balog-Way’s work explores how strategic risk communication can help people navigate complex and often contested societal challenges.

Professor Balog-Way’s research is guided by three interconnected questions: Why do we disagree about risk? How can we tackle complex risk communication problems? And how do our interpretations of concepts such as transparency, misinformation, and uncertainty shape communication, policy, and public decision making?

Drawing on collaborations with organizations including the OECD, the European Medicines Agency, the UK Cabinet Office (during COVID-19), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Health, and industry and nonprofit partners, Professor Balog-Way combines theoretical and applied research to develop evidence-informed approaches to strategic risk communication. Through his research and teaching, he seeks to help current and future leaders communicate more effectively in complex, contested, and rapidly changing risk communication ecosystems.