Em Kohl

Em (they/them) is a third-year Ph.D student in the Department of Communication Studies, Graduate Instructor in the Department of Communication Studies and Graduate Research Assistant at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University.

 

Currently, their research interests include: 

• Communicating climate risks in rural communities, and more specifically, Appalachia
• How intersectional identity and experiential knowledge play a role in climate and risk communication
• Pop culture and media as spaces for science and climate communication
• How critical methods can enhance research methodologies

They earned a B.A. in English and M.A. in Communication and Advocacy from James Madison University, focusing their research on the intersections of cultural and media studies, queer theory, and climate change communication. In 2020, their co-authored paper “#Me Too on the Menu: Addressing Toxic Kitchen Culture” won the Food Studies International Award for Excellence. Prior to Mason, they were an Adjunct Instructor at James Madison University and full-time Instructor of Communication Studies at Bridgewater College, serving as an undergraduate academic advisor, Communication Club faculty advisor, and student mentor.