Christopher J. Kramer is Head of External Communications at Argonne National Laboratory, where he leads communications strategy for one of the nation’s leading scientific research institutions. He oversees external communications, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management across 21 research divisions, 6 national user facilities, and $1.3 billion in operations. He has positioned Argonne at the forefront of science storytelling, strengthening ties with national media, government sponsors, and academic and industry partners, while training scientists and executives to communicate their work effectively to many audiences.
Kramer has helped modernize Argonne’s communications approach through expanded digital engagement, increased use of generative AI tools, and new systems that highlight breakthroughs in advanced computing, discovery science, energy technologies, and national security research.
Prior to his current role, Kramer led national crisis and risk communication initiatives at Argonne, developing training, exercises, and communication tools for federal agencies including the Department of Energy, FEMA, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security. He also served as Lead Public Information Officer for the Utah Department of Public Safety, where he managed communications during major emergencies and the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Internationally, he has served as a subject matter expert for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, International Atomic Energy Agency, Israeli Ministry of Health, and Sacco University of Milan. He has also been a longtime instructor at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute, where his contributions continue to shape crisis communication practices worldwide.
He holds a B.S. in Communication from the University of Utah and an M.A. in Communication from Marist College. In his free time, he can be found spending time with his wonderful wife, annoying his children with dad jokes, hiking with his obnoxious dog, watching classic science fiction films, baking pies, and continuing his global search for the perfect donut.
