Speaker: Katherine Shwetz, PhD, Rice University

Research on vaccine hesitancy consistently demonstrates that the phenomenon is complex and multi-faceted—it cannot be explained simply by an “information deficit” or lack of trust. One reason for its persistence may be the movement’s strength in crafting compelling, dynamic stories. These narratives extend far beyond medicine, often engaging political beliefs, fostering community identity, and shaping deeply held personal values.

In this talk, Dr. Shwetz examines several key “genres” of storytelling used within vaccine-hesitant communities, drawing examples from the Make America Healthy Again movement. She explores how narrative choices—what is emphasized, who is centered, and how stories are structured—contribute to the spread and endurance of vaccine hesitancy, inviting audiences to consider how storytelling itself fuels the phenomenon.