Nan Li
is an Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her work bridges science communication and visual communication, examining how science is portrayed and understood by different audiences across media, policy, and community settings. She works with scientists, artists, and community partners to co-create evidence-based approaches that support public engagement around complex and contested scientific issues.
Research Areas
Public opinion and debates around science
The role of science in policy and public decision-making
Media coverage and framing of emerging science issues
Strategic communication of scientific issues
Data visualization and its effects on science interpretation and attitudes
Visual narratives, imagery, and trust in science communication
Art-based approaches to environmental and science engagement
The growing role of AI-generated images in science communication
Current Projects
Recent Publications
Examining the effects of AI-generated image on science information credibility
Science Communication
,
2025
When science meets art on Instagram: Examining the effects of visual art on emotions, interest, and social media engagement
Science Communication
,
2024
Communicating environmental and ecological sciences through visual arts: A cross-disciplinary review
Environmental Communication
,
2024
An enthusiastic but uncertain welcome: Coverage of risks, benefits, and social contexts of CRISPR technology in U.S. agricultural news 2012-2022
Journal of Applied Communications
,
2024
Visual realism and character identification in science comics: An empirical study testing McCloud’s “Masking Effect” theory
Visual Communication
,
2024
Visual literacy in the AI age: Implications for science communication strategies
BIANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (PCST)
Seeing is engaging? The mediating role of visual appeal in science communication
Biannual Convention of the Public Communication of Science and Technology
Familiarity matters: Examining the effects of AI-generated image on science information credibility
Annual Convention of the International Communication Association (ICA)
From visual appeal to message elaboration – the role of metaphorical representations in shaping science perceptions
Annual Convention of the International Communication Association (ICA)
New biotechnology, new opinions? Effects of climate change, naturalness messaging
Annual conference of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference
Enhancing ice safety and climate change awareness among ice anglers in the Great Lakes community
