Biography
Dr. Byrd is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department at the University of Georgia.
Allison R. Byrd (previously Allison R. Fortner) graduated with her Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication with a focus in science communication and a certificate in International Agriculture in May 2024. Her dissertation research used audience segmentation and cultural dimensions to explore how prospective graduate students utilize communication tools in their search for graduate programs. Allison received her Master of Agricultural and Environmental Education (M.A.E.E.) from UGA in December 2021. Her thesis research explored the influence of university scientists’ perceived age, race, and gender on social media engagement on Instagram and Twitter. She received her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communication (B.S.A.) from UGA in 2016. Previously, she worked as assistant marketing director at Super-Sod (2016-2019) and as a staff member at the University of Georgia (2019-2020) before pursuing her education full-time as a graduate research assistant in fall 2020.
Research Interests
Allison’s research interests include relationship dimensions between science and the public, specifically related to culture and communication. Allison is passionate about understanding how individuals’ cultural characteristics and personal experiences influence their interpretation of scientific information surrounding the food system.
Current Projects
Allison has worked with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Associate Dean for Research to explore effective methods for communicating scientific research from a university to various stakeholders. Her dissertation work focused on communicating science from colleges of agriculture with prospective graduate students while considering cultural needs.
Allison completed an internship with the Safe Seaweed Coalition to assist with developing a communications model for sharing research about safely and sustainably scaling up the global seaweed industry.
Favorite Quote
“For what is more versatile? … coffee can energize the industrious at dawn, calm the reflective at noon, or raise the spirits of the beleaguered in the middle of the night.”
Amor Towles
