Katie Abrams

Abrams’ expertise is at the intersection of strategic communication and natural resources issues. Her work aids businesses, organizations, and government in developing practices and products in agricultural, food, and natural resources systems that balance scientific innovation with peoples’ values and attitudes, and leads to improved communication among stakeholders. It contributes to socially sustainable agricultural, food, and natural resources systems.

Most of Abrams’ research focuses on three broad areas: food marketing communication models of influence; transparency and strategic communication in the agriculture industry; and, most recently, social marketing approaches to mitigating human-wildlife conflict in protected areas or for protected species. She currently is principal investigator on projects funded by USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the National Park Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Abrams often combines theories in human behavior change with those in communication and psychology. She uses survey, experimental, in-depth interview, focus group, and direct observation methods in her research.

Abrams received her B.S. in agricultural communication from Purdue University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in agricultural communication and education from the University of Florida.