Learn to tell your science story in this interactive Science Communication Workshop
Let me tell you a story.
As a former microbiology researcher, I, Sarah, found it difficult to relate to how microbiologists look at their experimental data. They see signals going up or down, colouring levels increase or decrease or protein bands becoming stronger or weaker. I, however, saw bacteria swimming faster or slower, producing vibrant colours or more or less of a protein.
What is the difference between these two viewpoints? One states static facts, one tells a story.
Introducing the storytelling in science communication workshop
In my eyes, every scientist is a storyteller. And even though most know this to be true, they struggle with it.
They are brilliant at conducting research. Within their projects, experiments and data points, they see the connections. It all seems logical to them since they are so deep into the topic. Yet they find it difficult to communicate their findings in a way that others can understand.
Explaining experimental results based on plain numbers and data is often the way scientists communicate their findings. However, what might be more relatable to an audience unfamiliar with the topic? From which will they learn more? Reading about scientific data or a story?
Why storytelling in science communication
The human brain loves logic and tells itself stories about what is going on to make sense of the world. Because of the underlying nature of stories, they have been around throughout humanity.
Stories were what our ancestors told each other around campfires. They are the first things 2- or 3-year-olds tell themselves to understand the world around them. Parents tell their children fairy tales to teach them about the world, history and morals. With stories, we comprehend bigger concepts by making logical sense of them.
Since the human brain prefers logic, we also understand facts and concepts better when they are connected as stories. So if we want someone not only to understand but also remember an important fact, it’s effective to pack it into a logical and comprehensive story.
Whether scientists share their experimental findings in a scientific journal, break them down in a social media post or introduce their research projects at a conference. Even when talking to neighbours, friends or family about their research, a logical and comprehensive story will help an audience connect with the science and get the big picture.
To create an engaging and logical story from a research project, I rely on four pillars: emotions, the hero’s journey, active language and connecting the story. Applying these will make the science relatable to any audience, make them care about it and help them remember and apply their new knowledge. And with this, scientific research will make a true impact.
In this interactive workshop on storytelling in science communication, scientists will learn about the theoretical background of storytelling and with hands-on guidance and open discussions craft their own stories.
What a workshop on storytelling in science communication with me will look like:
Based on our successful guide on using storytelling in science communication, I created an interactive workshop to apply the storytelling model. During this workshop, scientists will gain the following science communication skills:
- Understanding the importance of storytelling in science communication
- Breaking down complex scientific concepts into accessible story components
- Creating engaging and logical narratives from scientific topics
- Making an impact on an audience using emotions
One workshop session is outlined for 4 and 16 scientists participating, with one session lasting about 90 minutes and consisting of:
- First half: theoretical background on storytelling in science communication, focusing on the four pillars of scientific storytelling
- ~10 minutes: participants working by themselves to apply the theory and coming up with a science story about their research projects
- Second half: open discussion during which participants share their narratives and ask questions allowing us to together polishing their science stories
During the last part, I will help them develop their stories by helping them identify the essential storytelling components in their projects, creating engaging narratives and triggering the right emotions in the audience.
Together with the participants, we will create engaging and logical science stories that can be shared immediately. At the end of the workshop, participants will have a comprehensive story to tell and will receive a certificate to add to their CVs and social media profiles.
Ready to tell a story about science?
The goal of this workshop is for each participant to leave with an engaging and logical science story. They can share these during talks at conferences, publish them on social media or elaborate them into more comprehensive narratives for grant applications or job interviews.
Contact me now and tell me who you want this workshop for, for how many participants and when you want it to take place. I am looking forward to hearing from you.