Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw is a researcher and public communicator. She consults on effective evidence-based policy, and helps people and organisations engage the power of good storytelling to change minds.

Clare Curran – Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

The Clare Curran story reveals a political culture that makes NZ meaner, smaller

No mistakes made by the former Labour minister could make the treatment of her acceptable. Ever.

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Your vaccine reporting should not look like this. Photo: Getty

12th March, 2019

The problem with false balance reporting on vaccination

Science is good, but that doesn't have the same opportunity to penetrate as fear-based storytelling.

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Getty

9th October, 2018

Strategies for actually doing something about the climate change shitstorm

Despair is understandable. So is shouting about the facts. But to effect real change we need to look to psychological techniques

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Misinformation is riding a digital wave. Here’s how we can counter it

13th August, 2018

Misinformation is riding a digital wave. Here’s how we can counter it

Misinformation will always be with us. If we use innovative tools smartly, we can ensure it stays on the edges of our democratic process

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Pixabay

8th August, 2018

How to have a sensible discussion about early childhood education

There's been a lot of talk about the state of early childhood education in New Zealand over the last few days. Most of it has been shit. Here's Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw doing what she does best - cutting through the crap so we can have a rational conversation.

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Human papilloma virus (HPV), computer illustration. HPV causes warts, which mostly occur on the hands and feet. Certain strains also infect the genitals. Although most warts are non-malignant (not cancerous), some strains of HPV have been associated with cancers, especially cervical cancer. (Photo: Getty Images)

An HPV-free world is possible – but we won’t get it through threats and insults

Threatening people who don't vaccinate for HPV does more harm than good, writes Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw.d

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Homeschooling doesn’t need to follow the same routines or schedules as school. Photo: Getty Images

12th June, 2018

How we talk about early childhood education matters

Can we change the ECE story in New Zealand?

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

The parent pay chasm: how the gender pay gap widens among those with kids

The parent pay chasm: how the gender pay gap widens among those with kids

New research reveals the penalty women pay after becoming mothers.

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

Photo: screenshot

21st March, 2018

Mark Richardson says being a parent is ‘not a job’. But why not?

The AM Show host this week claimed this week that while it is 'hard work' being a mum, 'you can't call it a job'. But should payment be the yardstick by which we measure work?

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer

About that ‘paracetamol in pregnancy’ study: don’t panic

10th January, 2018

About that ‘paracetamol in pregnancy’ study: don’t panic

You might have seen headlines claiming paracetamol in pregnancy could reduce your daughter's future fertility. We asked no-bullshit Spinoff Parents scientist Dr Jess Berentson-Shaw to tell us what it all really means.

By Jess Berentson-Shaw

Contributing writer