Matt Sheehan

Four Questions: The Back of the Envelope Guide to Strategy

Coming up with a strategic communications plan doesn’t have to require a staff retreat and hours of work. Simply focusing on making the right decisions in the right sequence can… Continue Reading Four Questions: The Back of the Envelope Guide to Strategy

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2 min

The Science of What Makes People Care – Six Imperatives for Changemakers

The scientific evidence is piling up: people don’t act on information, they act on what they care most about. We’ve distilled six core principles from behavioral, cognitive and social science… Continue Reading The Science of What Makes People Care – Six Imperatives for Changemakers

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1 min

Science-based communication strategy on COVID for the UN Verified Initiative

The Challenge As the world responds to combating the pandemic, a lot of information is shared on interventions. The United Nations Verified initiative, in collaboration with Purpose, commissioned the Center to develop… Continue Reading Science-based communication strategy on COVID for the UN Verified Initiative

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2 min

Innovation Service of UNHCR: the UN Refugee Agency

A Multi-Year Partnership Agreement The Challenge: How can The Innovation Service of UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency work to improve the care for and protection of the more than 65 million displaced… Continue Reading Innovation Service of UNHCR: the UN Refugee Agency

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1 min

Build the World You Wish Existed: An Action Guide

A systems-thinking and human-centered design framework for changemakers facing complex, interconnected problems. It helps you map the system, find the leverage points, and design interventions that address root causes — not just symptoms. Continue Reading Build the World You Wish Existed: An Action Guide

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Theory of Planned Behavior

This theory helps explain what makes people go from intention to action. It posits that behaviors are planned and therefore can be predicted. If someone evaluates an intended behavior as… Continue Reading Theory of Planned Behavior

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Terror Management Theory

People recognize that death is unpredictable and inevitable, which conflicts with the drive for self-preservation. Therefore, people invest in cultural beliefs and worldviews to counter the fear that death is… Continue Reading Terror Management Theory

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Social Norms

Social norms are informal and formal rules that govern how we act and what we see as normal and taboo. Examples in Western culture are saying “excuse me” if you… Continue Reading Social Norms

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Social Identity Theory

“Social identity theory maintains that all individuals are motivated to achieve and maintain a positive self-concept. A person’s self-concept derives from two principal sources: personal identity and social identity. Personal… Continue Reading Social Identity Theory

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Social Dominance Theory

A theory that stable societies and social groups tend to organize hierarchically around status, power and economic opportunity, without any formalized acknowledgment. People in the higher level of the hierarchy… Continue Reading Social Dominance Theory

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Four Questions: The Back of the Envelope Guide to Strategy

The Science of What Makes People Care – Six Imperatives for Changemakers

Science-based communication strategy on COVID for the UN Verified Initiative

Innovation Service of UNHCR: the UN Refugee Agency

Build the World You Wish Existed: An Action Guide

Theory of Planned Behavior

Terror Management Theory

Social Norms

Social Identity Theory

Social Dominance Theory

Beyond raising awareness: How to create lasting change

Strategic Communications Academy for UF Leaders & Scholars

Science Communications Course

Can #MeToo Have Lasting Influence?

To Win Against False Information, We Must Play Offense

Re-examining narratives on poverty and wealth — the BROKE project

The Science of Belief: Identify Perceptions of Harm

Most Americans Support Freedom of Information. Almost None Have Ever Used It.

October 2025 nationwide survey sheds light on Americans’ increasing worry about housing affordability

2025 ‘Real Good Census’ Reveals a Strategically Vital Field with Strong Rewards, Marking Significant Growth

Changemakers in Action: Dr. Audrey Goldfarb

Covering immigration in local news—an exploration by Define American

Using Research to Change Narratives About Direct Cash Assistance for UpTogether

When the Science Stops at the Shoreline: Sharing Research on Florida’s Red Tide

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