On Nov. 7, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized the lab with five awards in a range of categories, including programs, tactics and individual honors. Rebecca Anderson accepts the Diversity Champion Award from PRSA HR President Lori Crouch, and Matt Cahill accepts an Award of Excellence for his work on a feature article. Jefferson Lab photos/Kandice Carter & Aileen Devlin
Jefferson Lab awarded for its communications programs by the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – The Communications Office at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility focuses on highlighting the research, projects and people who make possible the lab’s science mission. These initiatives take center stage in the work of the office, which includes supporting conferences, holding public events, developing brochures, engaging with the public on social media and publishing layperson-friendly articles. But recently, that spotlight has been turned on the Communications Office itself, as it celebrates the recognition of its peers for excellence in communications.
On Nov. 7, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America recognized the lab with five awards in a range of categories, including programs, tactics and individual honors.
“We are honored to be recognized by our peers in public relations for the work that we do in sharing the laboratory’s science mission, technological accomplishments and science education activities within our local Virginia communities and around the world,” said Jefferson Lab Chief Communications Officer Lauren Hansen.
Three major projects led by the Communications Office were awarded Pinnacle Awards of Excellence. In the Public Relations Programs: Events and Observances category, the lab won an award for excellence for the 2024 Jefferson Lab Open House event, with a focus on the promotion of the event through a variety of channels and reaching a wide audience. The public relations campaign launched on Jan. 18, with increased advertising starting on April 15, and concluded with an event recap video on June 24. More than 9,000 people attended the in-person event as a result of these efforts.
Jefferson Lab also won an excellence award in the Public Relations Programs: Most Effective Campaign on a Shoestring Budget ($5,000 or less) category for the construction, unveiling and promotion of the lab’s first permanent outdoor sculpture. The LOVEwork ties the important work conducted at Virginia’s national lab into the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s “Virginia Is for Lovers®” campaign with a focus on science. It is also the first sculpture to be unveiled under the commonwealth’s new “Virginia Is for Science Lovers®” focused brand.
In the Creative Writing tactics category, Jefferson Lab’s technical editor, Matt Cahill, was recognized with an award for excellence for an article that promoted the lab’s exploration of the nature of matter through world-class nuclear physics research and technological development: “Steering Electrons Out of the Drift with Deep Learning.”
In addition, in the Social Media tactics category, social media posts in support of the lab’s science education efforts earned a Certificate of Merit. Jefferson Lab's long-term commitment to science education focuses on increasing the number of teachers with a substantial background in math and science, strengthening the motivation and preparation of all students and addressing the underrepresentation of minorities and females in science, math, engineering, and technology careers. The Jefferson Lab STEM campaign targeted educators and students to build a more diverse and inclusive applicant and participant pool for the lab’s STEM programs.
Members of the Jefferson Lab Communications Office celebrate their Pinnacle Award of Excellence for the 2024 Jefferson Lab Open House event. Office members include (L-R) Duane Bourne, Deborah Dowd, Shannon West, John Streit, Sarah Crouse, Melanie West, Anita Seay, Lauren Hansen, Kandice Carter, Joanna Griffin, Laura Walker, Aileen Devlin, Jenny DeVasher, David Chopard, Lauren Weber, Joshua Cameron, Matt Cahill and Rebecca Anderson. Not pictured: Dan Akeredolu, Michelle Alvarez, Samuel Bierman, Scott Cole, Michael Hall and Xavier Gardner.
In individual accomplishments, the Diversity Champion Award was bestowed on Rebecca Anderson, Jefferson Lab’s DEIA Council co-chair and lead internal communications specialist. The award honors “a current member of PRSA Hampton Roads who has served as a role model in championing multicultural awareness in the Hampton Roads community” with a track record of “promoting the needs of diverse communities and has five years or more work experience.”
Throughout her career, Anderson has made significant strides in promoting diversity. At Jefferson Lab, she has actively guided and supported inclusion initiatives and has worked to develop and lead new communications strategies to enhance these efforts. She also has extensive volunteer experience in promoting DEIA in the community.
“It is an absolute honor to be recognized in this way, particularly when there are so many others in this area doing such great and important work,” said Anderson. “I am grateful that there are many people at Jefferson Lab who understand the importance of diverse voices and have prioritized equality in the work that we do. I am enthusiastic about our mission and my eyes are on the future.”