Ph.D. Candidate (ABD), Science Communication, Mason4C
Neha Gour is a Ph.D. Candidate in Science Communication at George Mason University, specializing in environmental health and public policy. She uses quantitative and statistical methods to analyze empirical evidence and translate climate change’s health impacts into actionable solutions.
Neha’s work prioritizes global scope but with local impact. Her research spans the U.S., China, and South Asia, examining issues from the health risks of climate change and data centers to the ways media and health leaders shape public understanding. Her work is interdisciplinary, and often transdisciplinary, bringing together scientists, health professionals, policymakers, and community stakeholders to co-develop evidence-based policies and outreach campaigns.
Neha brings over a decade of professional experience in strategic communication and policy engagement. She has led public engagement projects with organizations in the U.S. and India, including UNESCO Asia-Pacific, the City of Fairfax Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the Ministry of Education (Government of India), Oxford Policy Management, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, the Centre for Policy Research, and the Centre for Civil Society.
Courses Taught
1. Instructor of Record, Fundamentals of Communication, George Mason University, US
2. Instructor, Moolya Summer School, New Delhi, India
3. Digital Skill Trainer, Pure India Trust, Noida, India
4. Guest Lecturer, Use of Multimedia Knowledge Assets in Policy Communication, Marc, India
5. English Teacher, Kathputli Colony, New Delhi, India
In the Media
1. Reed, D. (2023). Health impacts of climate change sparks support for action. College of Humanities and Social Sciences. https://chss.gmu.edu/articles/19956
2. Reed, D. (2023). Sharing the health benefits of climate solutions can boost public support for change. George Mason University. https://www.gmu.edu/news/2023-12/sharing-health-benefits-climate-solutions-can-boost-public-support-change
3. Wellcome Trust (2023). People may support climate action more strongly if they understand how their health is at risk. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2023-12-people-climate-action-strongly-health.html
4. Wellcome Trust (2023). Highlighting health impacts of climate change and climate solutions sparks public support for climate action: News. https://wellcome.org/news/highlighting-health-impacts-climate-change-and-climate-solutions-sparks-public-support-climate
5. Gour, N. (2023). Health misinformation’s deadly impact. KevinMD. https://www.kevinmd.com/2023/07/health-misinformations-deadly-impact.html
6. Gour, N. (2023). Health misinformation. Misinformation in Science & Society Hosted by Annie Wang. YouTube.
Education
1. Ph.D. in Science Communication (ABD), George Mason University, US, Aug’22 – Present
2. Master’s in Journalism and Mass Communication, Amity School Of Communication, India, Jul’15 – May’17
3. Bachelor’s in English Literature, University of Delhi, India, Jul’12 – May’15
Recent Accomplishments
1. Climate–Health Perceptions (U.S.): Leading a quantitative study using survey and regression analysis to identify which Americans perceive climate risks to physical, mental, social health and community livability.
2. Data Centers and Health (Virginia): Investigating the human and planetary health impacts of the world’s largest data center hub, in collaboration with medical scientists, atmospheric scientists, and policymakers.
3. Community Stewardship (City of Fairfax): Led the Environmental Stewardship Mapping (STEW-MAP) project, identifying 100+ environmental groups to inform local urban forestry and sustainability planning.
4. South Asia: Authoring a Routledge book chapter on public perceptions of climate-related health risks in South Asia, emphasizing local targeted communication strategies.
5. Global Climate–Health Research: Co-authored a WHO/Wellcome Trust–funded global literature review (presented at COP28) and conducted a decade-long media analysis across the U.S., China, and India.
