Vermont Researchers Analyze Governor Scott's COVID-19 Communication Strategies and Incarceration System Impact
A research group at Saint Michael's College, as part of the University of Vermont's federally funded Science of Online Corpora, Knowledge, and Stories (SOCKS) project, is examining Vermont's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The multidisciplinary team, including Sociology Professor Candas Pinar, Computer Science Professor Bradford Demarest, and Political Science and Public Health Professor Patricia Siplon, is focusing on Governor Phil Scott's press conferences from March 2020 onwards. They are analyzing his speeches and answers to reporters' questions to understand the effectiveness of his communication strategies, particularly how he leveraged 'social capital' to encourage adherence to health guidelines. Additionally, a sub-group led by Professor Siplon and student Damascene Niyongere '27 is investigating the impact of COVID-19 on Vermont's correctional facilities, where they found higher transmission rates and negative mental health effects due to prolonged isolation, suggesting a disparity in the appli...
