Laurel Bristow: A Science Hero Rises on Instagram

Laurel Bristow is an infectious disease researcher at Emory University, and since the pandemic started, she's become a social media phenomenon. She's been posting videos on Instagram and answering questions about COVID-19 and the connections she's built with her audience are truly one of a kind. At last check, she's amassed close to 450,000 followers.  In recent years we've unfortunately seen how social media can be used to spread conspiracy theories, misinformation, and disinformation. But what about the truth? In this episode, Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves talks with Laurel about how social media, with all of its eccentricities, can also be a powerful medium for truth telling and myth-busting.  Related Articles

• "An Atlanta Researcher Looks For a COVID-19 Treatment" (MTV Impact, 6/27/20)
• "Instagram's Favorite Infectious Disease Researcher on Our Nightmare Year" (VICE, 12/23/20)
• "Teaching People How to Spot Bad Science Is a Public Health Tool" (Mother Jones, 7/20/20)
• "This Infectious Disease Specialist Is Answering Your COVID-19 Questions On Instagram" (Science Friday, 3/19/21)

Related Resources

• Hope Clinic of Emory Vaccine Center: Lauren Bristow
• Lauren Bristow on Instagram
• Lauren Bristow on Twitter