Sue Nichols

Bio:

Sue Nichols, who handles strategic communication and outreach, has 19 years of experience in science communication.  

She tries to do this without using big, scary words to spread the word of science to the biggest possible audience. She also shows diverse audiences how fascinating – and fun – science can be, and how crucial it is to transform good science into good policy.

Nichols came to the center in October 2010. Prior to that, she was the marketing and communications director of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute at the U-M, leading the communications effort on the broad spectrum of energy research at the university, as well as supporting initiatives that integrate science into economic recovery.

Before that, she was at Michigan State University for 15 years as chief science writer and led initiatives to increase the public’s understanding of science and research in topics ranging from environmental issues and science’s role in international development. She has organized and given symposiums nationally on communicators’ roles in promoting international science.

Prior to working in higher education, Nichols was a newspaper reporter and editor.