JT or JAGADISH THAKER (Ph.D., George Mason University) is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.  He is an affiliate researcher with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University. 

His research examines ways to understand and enhance public, business, and policy engagement with climate change and public health. He specializes in the fields of science and climate change communication, health communication, corporate communication, and strategic communication campaigns. 

His research has been covered by several international newspapers, including The Guardian, The New York Times, Reuters, CNN, The Atlantic, New Zealand Herald, The Hindu, and he has appeared several times on national TV and radio in New Zealand (see News Coverage). His research was featured by the Royal Society of New Zealand. His research has been cited by scholars in top institutions around the world, intergovernmental agencies such as The World Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO, government agencies in India and New Zealand, and sustainability business groups and advocacy organisations.

Some of the awards he won include the Golden Anniversary Monograph Award from National Communication Association, 2023 and 2022 Top Faculty paper award in Environmental Communication from the International Communication Association, 2021 Outstanding PhD Aulmus from the George Mason University’s Department of Communication, Massey Business School’s Excellence in Research award, and the Top 40 under 40 inspiring teachers award from The Indian Express, a leading newspaper in India. His co-edited book, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Climate Change Communication, was a finalist in the Association of American Publishers’ 2019 PROSE Award. 

He has served as an expert reviewer or jury for the National Geographic Society, Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC), European Science Foundation, and Health Research Council New Zealand, among other funding agencies.