JENNA LANG
SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR
Jenna Lang
Science Communicator
Phone:
(857) 350-0638
Email:
Location:
Education:
Harvard College
B.A. Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience & Evolutionary Psychology)
Secondary in Global Health & Health Policy
Boston Latin School
Extended Education:
GrubStreet
Happening now! Screenwriting for Film and TV. Taught by Mark Fogarty. 2024.
Writing Climate Essays and Op-Eds. Taught by Ethan Gilsdorf. 2023.
6 Weeks, 6 Essays. Creative nonfiction writing class focused on personal essays. Taught by Theresa Okokon. 2023.
Maine Media Workshops and College
Nonfiction Cinematography and Editing. Taught by David Martinez and Tom Ryan. 2022.
Gotham Writers
Feature Article Writing I. Taught by Lara Ewen. 2022.
About Me
Where I am coming from and where I want to go
Hello!
My name is Jenna Lang. I work to improve how the science of climate change and public health is communicated.
I graduated from Harvard College in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) and a minor in Global Health & Health Policy. During college, I focused on research. I studied psychology, public health, and health communication. I also took classes in science writing, climate change media coverage, and photography. Outside of the classroom and research lab, I was involved in theater, interned with the Harvard Gazette's photography team, and edited the UNICEF Club's Perspectives publication.
When Covid-19 interrupted my junior year, my work with the Harvard School of Public Health transitioned to ensuring that Boston-area communities had access to scientifically-accurate, culturally-relevant, and accessible Covid-19 information. The pandemic underscored for me the importance of effective health communication and the challenges of communicating an area of science that (like climate change) is highly politicized.
For the last few years, I have been working as a content producer for Trivium Interactive. I research and write content for this media design and production firm that works with museums, observatories, historical sites, and other places where there are things to learn and stories to tell. I work with experts to distill their ideas into interactive exhibits and videos that are understandable by and exciting to a general audience.
Whether my job title is researcher, photographer, writer, or producer, I am a science communicator. My areas of focus are public health and climate change, and especially where these two fields intersect. Climate health -- the health impacts of climate change -- has implications for many aspects of society, from agriculture to racial justice and education to media. My work is greatly informed by my research (and that of my peers) in health communication and the psychology of emotion. I take great care to ensure that I uphold high standards of journalistic integrity and ethics. I hope that my writing brings the voice of a friend who is passionate, non-judgmental, and excited to act on what she learns. I hope that my photography inspires viewers to see our planet as something worth protecting.
There is much we must do in order to safeguard the health of our planet and its residents. Through science communication, I hope to engage more people in climate health by showcasing all of the opportunities we have to create a better future.
Work Experience
Resume with publications, technical skills, and awards available here.
September 2021-Present
Trivium Interactive:
Content Producer
July 2021-June 2022
Everything's Changing Podcast: Producer
June 2021-August 2021
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE: Communications Intern
August 2019-August 2021
Harvard Chan Viswanath Health Communication Lab: Research Student
January 2019-January 2021
Harvard UNICEF Club: Perspectives Publication Manager
May 2018-January 2021
Harvard Chan Healthy Buildings Lab: Research Assistant/Communications Intern
Research, write, and source content for media-based exhibits that tell stories. Script content for interactive and linear media. Manage assets, licensing, and communication between client and internal teams. Work with video production team as script writer, interviewer, and field director. Recently completed projects involve serving as the research lead for four rooms of exhibits on health education for teenagers in Pennsylvania and scripting three rooms of interactive games about climate resiliency in San Diego. Current projects include managing a scripting team to produce 38 short films on the Revolutionary War in New York (installing fall 2024), developing and writing content for fifteen interactive experiences about astronomy (opening in Arizona in November 2024), and beginning the content development process for a multi-gallery exhibit about the U.S. Constitution.
In August 2024, I was certified by the National Association for Interpretation as a Certified Interpretive Planner (CIP). In this role, I develop effective media plans for educational sites with a range of budgets, staffing structures, and visitorships.
Produced a podcast focused on community-level climate action and conservation. Managed social media presence, involved my personal network of climate experts as interviewees, and worked with hosts to develop creative episode ideas.
Developed social media content to educate the public about the health impacts of climate change. Managed website and Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram feeds. Assisted with other media projects, including a series of short videos.
Increased public awareness and support of Covid-19 vaccination through web resources and infographics. Conducted an independent project exploring the effects of emotion on parental decisions regarding childhood vaccination.
Editor and writer for club publication: harvardunicef.org/blog. Designed an educational coloring book for children about Covid-19. Planned events to increase humanitarian aid for children, including a three-day conference for local high school students.
Managed covidpathforward.com website and developed school reopening plans during Covid-19. Studied the effects of biophilic design on cognitive function and the unadvertised dangers of e-cigarette flavoring chemicals.
May 2018-August 2018
Harvard Gazette Newspaper: Photography Intern
Photographed for the official news outlet of Harvard University. Covered campus events, professor profiles, and programs with the local community.