Advancing informed, inclusive public conversations about science and the environment

Gretchen Ertl

Metcalf Institute fosters informed, inclusive public conversations about environmental issues by conducting science training for journalists, communication training for scientists, and a variety of public programs.

Based in the URI College of Environment and Life Sciences, Metcalf Institute collaborates with academics, state and federal agencies, non-profits, businesses, community representatives and news organizations nationwide to develop customized programs and resources that improve and expand news coverage of environmental topics.

Programs

people participating in a data access session using laptops

Journalist Training

Browse
a scientist engages in conversation

Scientist Training

browse
people sit in an auditorium during a public event

Public Events

learn

Connect with us!

Let’s design a customized, inclusive science communication workshop or training for your organization, workplace, or university.

Fill out an interest form here.

Group of journalists around a table.
2023 Annual report
subscribe to enews
a scientist holds up a fish on a research boat while two people watch and take a photograph

Get caught up on Metcalf happenings!

Read the seasonal Executive Director’s Report here.

learn more

News

  • Update About Metcalf Institute’s Inclusive SciComm Symposium Initiative - We want to reassure the Metcalf community that we have not forgotten about the Inclusive SciComm Symposium. It remains a critically important initiative for us. However, given the current political climate and the demands placed on our small team’s time and resources, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily shift our focus toward efforts […]
  • Announcing 26th Annual Workshop for Journalists Fellows and Finalists! - Metcalf Institute has selected ten Fellows for the Institute’s 26th Annual Science Immersion Workshop for Journalists! The Annual Workshop is a weeklong immersion program designed to help Fellows gain new insights, engage deeply with scientists, researchers, policy makers and community members to aid their reporting, expand peer networks with journalists from around the globe, and […]
  • 2024 SciComm Identities Project Fellows announcement with 14 black and white photos of fellows Announcing the 2024 SciComm Identities Project Fellows! - The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science and Story Lab launched the SciComm Identities Project (SCIP) to prepare the next generation of science communicators from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds. The ambitious five-year project, supported by a $2.8 million collaborative National Science Foundation […]