Comics as Policy Communication

In this dissertation, I conducted an exploratory analysis of ways we can improve policy communication using policy comics. I conducted semi-structured interviews with the general public to understand where people get their policy information, how they interact with it, what affects how they interact with it, and what they like and dislike about the communications they see. Using this information, I created 3 pairs of comics and short-form text about policy research. I then conducted a second set of interviews showing people both comic and text formats and asking participants to rate each communication on characteristics and outcomes determined from the first set of interviews. I also asked people about what they liked and disliked about each communication and how the communications compared with each other. I synthesized results from both sets of interviews to create How-To guides for policy research communicators based on what the goals of the communications are; communicators need to be clear what the intended outcome of the communication is since different outcomes may require different and possibly contradictory strategies. I also discuss the potential areas where comics may be appropriate as policy communication.