The power of an infographic

Communicating with the public, particularly about complex issues like food or nutrition-related policy, can be challenging.

In the course HNSC 4290 Food, Nutrition and Health Policies, students learn to apply critical thinking skills to their analysis of policies through a variety of assignments, from writing a policy brief to engaging in a debate presentation representing different stakeholders.

Dr. Natalie Riediger in the Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences who teaches the course also tasked students with writing a persuasive and evidence-informed op-ed article about a food or nutrition-related policy. They were then required to develop an associated infographic to provide additional evidence supporting either the urgency of the policy issue or the effectiveness of the proposed policy.

“Media is crucial in shaping policy issues and responses, as well as for advocacy,” said Riediger.

“Through this assignment, and others in the course, students learn important communication skills. Communicating to the public differs compared to communication with scientific audiences and it’s important to prepare our students to do both, as well as be engaged citizens.”

Below are three selected infographics created by students using online tools such as Canva and Piktochart. Click on the graphics to open a PDF.

Why we need to lower sodium intake. Created by Evelyn Zich.

Home Economics is still important. Created by Makenna Woytowich.

Avoidable food waste from farm to table. Created by Page Chartrand. (See blog post)