On July 2, we welcome Tahira Allen, communications lead for NASA’s Planetary and Astrobiology research programs and a 2025 Emmy Award winner, for a special guest lecture entitled “Making Science Impossible to Ignore: Strategic Communication at NASA.” On invitation by Andreas Schwarz, head of the International Risk, Crisis, and Science Communication Research Group (iRisCS-Com), this online-lecture is offered for undergraduate and graduate students in media and communication science.

Allen will explore how one of the world’s most recognized scientific organizations transforms missions, milestones, and discoveries into stories that capture the attention of millions. Drawing on seven years of experience at NASA, she will provide insights into the practice of strategic science communication, including how long-term social media campaigns sustain public interest, how major scientific milestones are adapted for different platforms, and what distinguishes content that audiences simply scroll past from content they actively engage with.

Using examples from across NASA’s missions, Allen will discuss the communications strategies behind some of the agency’s most significant scientific achievements. She will also share practical advice for students interested in careers in science communication, public engagement, and media, highlighting the skills and experiences that can open doors in these fields.

Allen currently leads communications for NASA’s Planetary and Astrobiology research programs, shaping the agency’s astrobiology communications portfolio and partnering with mission teams to develop strategic campaigns around major discoveries and mission milestones. As a NASA spokesperson, she has appeared on live broadcasts and hosted the agency’s coverage of the DART asteroid impact, NASA’s first planetary defense test. Her work has helped make complex scientific research accessible to broad audiences, including projects involving the James Webb Space Telescope, Europa Clipper, and the upcoming Dragonfly mission.

In June 2025, Tahira Allen received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live News Special for Total Solar Eclipse Through the Eyes of NASA. She was also recognized with NASA’s Excellence in Collaboration Award in May 2025 as a member of the Our Alien Earth Public Engagement and Rollout Team.

The lecture offers a unique opportunity for students, faculty, and members of the public to gain an insider’s perspective on the communication strategies that bring cutting-edge science to global audiences.

 

Contact: 

Andreas Schwarz (iRisCS-Com)

 andreas.schwarz@tu-ilmenau.de