title: Public response to infectious disease research: the UC Davis experience.
abstract: This summary of the experience of the University of California, Davis, in public communications describes the course of applying for funds to build a National Biocontainment Laboratory. Opponents of the project put forward a wide range of arguments falling into two main areas: (1) the safety of the facility and the perceived risk of release of biological agents by accident, theft, or terrorist acts; and (2) concerns that the laboratories would be used for military or secret research beyond the control of the university. The communications strategy in support of the proposal used a number of different tools, including public workshops, direct mail, web sites, and proactive media relations. Communicating in this type of environment is challenging and requires long-term commitments of time and effort, as well as efficient cooperation across departments within the university and externally with local, county, and regional governments, agencies, elected officials, and community members.
authors.affiliation: UC Davis News Service, Department of University Communications, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fell
authors.forename: Patricia J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003141:Communicable Diseases; D003142:Communication; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D006801:Humans; D014495:Universities