McKinnon began doing science communication as a Master's student at UBC. The producers of the television show "Stargate: Atlantis" wanted a physicist who could help with accurate scientific explanations for the show's science fiction plots. McKinnon answered. After graduation, she worked in science communication including popular science writing and continued helping on the television shows Stargate: Atlantis and "Stargate: Universe". Recently, McKinnon has worked on "Doomsday: 10 Ways the World Will End", "No Tomorrow", "Madam Secretary", and . McKInnon says that her interest in communication started with the media's incorrect reporting of a major landslide in the Pacific Northwest. 