The Center originated in 1994 as an interdisciplinary research and service organization dedicated to the study of communication processes and practices in environmental and health policy contexts. The mission of the Center is to enhance the understanding and quality of communication processes and practices among citizen, industry, and government participants in environmental and health policy formation and implementation. The Center's research agenda includes the design, analysis, and evaluation of informational and persuasive messages and campaigns produced by and addressed to individuals and institutions which pertain to environmental and human health risk contexts and controversies; the analysis and evaluation of communication processes within environmental and health-related organizations; and the design, facilitation, and evaluation of processes of stakeholder involvement in risk-based decision-making.