Gessa Simplicious
Ph.D. Journalism & Communication, Makerere University, Uganda
Professional experience
I am currently working with Uganda Tourism Board as Head of Public Relations, specialising in strategic communication and Media Relations. I have previously worked as a communication professional with Uganda Wildlife Authority as a publicist conserving the country's fora and fauna. I have a journalism and strategic communication training, with focus in primate public relations conservation awareness. My interests include the PR media management, crisis management, strategic communication and environmental media. I conducted my doctoral research on the role of media in shaping wildlife conservation in Uganda.
Education
I hold a Phd in Journalism and Communication from Makerere University, Uganda. A Masters in Journalism and Communication from Makerere University.
I have a specific interest in environmental journalism and strategic communication to promote wildlife conservation. My Master’s research focused on the role of strategic messaging in wildlife conservation. My PhD dissertation research investigated the role of media in shaping perception of wildlife conservation in my home country, Uganda.
Contact information:
email: gessajohn@gmail.com
Publications
Gessa, S. J., & Rothman, J. M. (2021). The importance of message framing in rule compliance by visitors during wildlife tourism. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(10), e515.
Glasser, D. B., Goldberg, T. L., Guma, N., Balyesiima, G., Agaba, H., Gessa, S. J., & Rothman, J. M. (2021). Opportunities for respiratory disease transmission from people to chimpanzees at an East African tourism site. American Journal of Primatology, 83(2), e2322.
Gessa, S.J & Rothman, J.M. (2021). The importance of message framing in rule compliance by visitors during wildlife tourism Conservation Science and Practice 3 (10), e515.
Gessa, S.J & Rothman, J.M. (2022). Communication for conservation: reducing disease transmission to mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) through better message framing to tourists, American Journal of Physical Anthropology 159, 153-154.
Gessa, S.J., Tayeebwa, W., Muwanika, V., Rothman, J.M. (2023). Conflict or Harmony: Framing of Wildlife News in a Biodiversity Hotspot, Journalism and Media 5 (1), 1-13.
Gessa, S.J. (2023). Conflict or Harmony? Unravelling how media shape public perception of wildlife in Uganda, Makerere University.
Gessa, S.J.,Tayeebwa, W., Tumwesigye, C., Rothman, J.M. (2024). The Role of Public Relations in Wildlife Conservation: Examples From Uganda, Tropical Conservation Science, 17, 1-8.
Presentations
American Society of Primatologists, Washington DC (August 2019)
International Primatology Society Biannual meeting, Chicago, USA (August 2018)
Society for Conservation Biology, Conservation Marketing, Washington DC, USA (November 2018)
New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, USA (August 2017)
American Association of Physical Anthropology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, USA (April 2016)
