Micaiala Hamner presented a component of her dissertation in Brisbane, Australia while leading forum sessions with the Society for Conservation Biology.
By: Majdulina Hamed | Published to Nicholson News on September 2, 2025.
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Micaiala Hamner, a doctoral student in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media studying strategic communication, recently attended the International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) in Brisbane, Australia, a global conference that gathers conservation scientists and professionals committed to creating advancements and impact in the field.
At ICCB, Hamner presented findings from her ongoing dissertation research, which examines how zoos and aquariums communicate significant life events of their animals, such as deaths, through online announcements and press releases.
“This week-long experience provided an incredible opportunity to share a central component of my dissertation research while also connecting with scholars working directly in zoo and aquarium settings,” Hamner says.
She says her study explores the tone, message design, and conservation framing across U.S. zoological institutions, with the goal of identifying communication trends, enhancing public engagement, and improving institutional transparency.
Hamner says she serves as the Student Affairs Officer for the Society for Conservation Biology’s Conservation Marketing Working Group, and from this role she had the opportunity to co-facilitate two forums.
“The first was pre-conference forum on the ethical considerations of sharing wildlife content on social media, and the second highlighted our group’s role in advancing conservation communication,” Hamner says. “I also introduced a new initiative I developed to showcase non-traditional conservation career paths, such as science communication researchers and conservation marketing professionals, to broaden awareness of interdisciplinary opportunities in the field.”
As a graduate student, Hamner says traveling abroad gave her additional experience that will help prepare her for her future career.
“Traveling abroad is such a unique and enriching experience,” she says. “As a doctoral student, having the opportunity to travel to a conference is a major milestone that I can carry with me as I progress through the remainder of my education into my professional career.”
She says attending the conference meant a great deal to her, as it marks a major milestone for her.
“With ICCB being my first international conference, I feel such a sense of accomplishment,” Hamner says. “I have seen my research transform and have experienced tremendous growth in my confidence when speaking about my interdisciplinary research.”
Looking back on this opportunity, Hamner reflects on her time in Brisbane.
“Traveling to Australia was a unique experience as it was my first time traveling to the other side of the world,” Hamner says. ‘Before the conference started, I had the opportunity to learn more about planerites and participate in workshops, all while exploring Brisbane.”
She thanks her co-author, Cassie Freund, a Conservation Portfolio Strategist at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, for her mentorship and collaboration on the study, as well the professors in UCF’s strategic communication doctoral program for their continued guidance and support.
Hamner’s participation at ICCB exemplifies NSCM’s commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship and the training of emerging leaders in communication research.
“As an emerging scholar, I am honored to have the ability to contribute to both the communication and environmental science disciplines. I know that this experience will open many more opportunities for collaboration, and I look forward to all that the future entails,” she says.
