Student–scientist podcasting across borders: Insights from an international project-based learning approach to ANR communication

As science communication increasingly occurs across borders, students should learn to engage experts and audiences through dialogue rather than dissemination alone. This study examined the design, implementation, and outcomes of an international agricultural and natural resources (ANR) communication course in which United States (U.S.)-based undergraduate and graduate students produced a podcast series featuring Canadian ANR experts. Guided by project-based learning and dialogic communication theory, the course emphasized sustained inquiry, collaboration, and public-facing communication. Using a case study design with convergent mixed methods, data were collected from instructor ethnographic journals, student-produced podcast episodes, and post-participation surveys with expert guests. Findings indicated that instructors experienced the partnership and course implementation as highly valuable, though time, coordination, and technical challenges emerged. Analysis of podcast content revealed themes related to sustainable ANR solutions, the importance of diverse perspectives, and systems-level thinking about agriculture, environment, and society. Expert guests reported high satisfaction with communication quality, collaboration, and student competence, while perceiving opportunities to strengthen message effectiveness for public audiences. Results suggest that international podcast-based project learning can effectively support global communication competence and dialogic science engagement when supported by structured scaffolding, iterative feedback, and explicit training in translating complex science for nonexpert audiences.