Neha Gour

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Climate Change Communication, Public Health, Science Communication, Public Policy

Neha Gour is pursuing her Ph.D. at the intersection of climate change, public health, and science communication and is a Research Assistant at the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University.

Her research focuses on collecting and assessing empirical evidence to foster effective climate change and public health communication. She actively uses her academic research to guide policy reforms and advocates for increased awareness on the health effects of climate change to advance public engagement in society.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Neha had extensive work experience as a communication and knowledge management professional. She has led public engagement projects at leading international organizations, research think tanks, and government bodies in India including—Imagine Panaji Smart Cities in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Oxford Policy Management India, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, Centre for Policy Research, Centre for Civil Society, UNESCO, and Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Current Research

1. Leading a study using quantitative methods and regression analysis to identify the attributes of Americans who perceive climate change negatively affects their physical health, mental health, and community livability.

2. Leading a first-of-its-kind research paper on Virginia’s Data Center Alley—the world’s largest data center hub—examining the associated human health risks.

3. Using media content analysis to assess a decade-long climate change and public health news reporting in the US, Indian, and Chinese news organizations.

4. Performing a comprehensive literature review of public and health professionals' understanding of the health relevance of climate change.

Selected Publications

Campbell, E., Uppalapati, S., Kotcher, J. E., Thier, K., Ansah, P., Gour, N., & Maibach, E. (2025). Activating health professionals as climate change and health communicators and advocates: a review. Environmental Research Health. https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5309/ada791

Uppalapati, S., Ansah, P., Campbell, E., Gour, N., Thier, K., Kotcher, J., & Maibach, E. (2023). A global review of research on effective advocacy and communication strategies at the intersection of climate change and health. George Mason University. DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/6w3qh

Grants and Fellowships

1. ISE Summer 2024 Sustainability Research Fellowship, Institute for a Sustainable Earth, May 2024

2. PhD Graduate Fellowship, George Mason University, 2022–26

Courses Taught

Instructor of Record, COMM 101: Fundamentals of Communication | 2022 - Ongoing

In the Media

Gour, N. (2023). Health misinformation’s deadly impact. KevinMD. https://www.kevinmd.com/2023/07/health-misinformations-deadly-impact.html

Gour, N. (2023). Health misinformation. Misinformation in Science & Society Hosted by Annie Wang. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L2PgyexWc0

Reed, D. (2023). Health impacts of climate change sparks support for action. College of Humanities and Social Sciences. https://chss.gmu.edu/articles/19956

Reed, D. (2023). Sharing the health benefits of climate solutions can boost public support for change. George Mason University. https://www.gmu.edu/news/2023-12/sharing-health-benefits-climate-solutions-can-boost-public-support-change

Wellcome Trust (2023). People may support climate action more strongly if they understand how their health is at risk. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2023-12-people-climate-action-strongly-health.html

Wellcome Trust (2023). Highlighting health impacts of climate change and climate solutions sparks public support for climate action: News. https://wellcome.org/news/highlighting-health-impacts-climate-change-and-climate-solutions-sparks-public-support-climate