Knowledge #2 – Helping European scientists tell their stories

Helping European scientists tell their stories

Researchers at Europe’s biggest science event took advantage of Minerva’s expertise in storytelling to learn how to communicate more effectively.

Rhonda & Kate introduce the ESOF crowd to Kylie the fish...!
Rhonda & Kate introduce the ESOF crowd to Kylie the fish…!

Our drop-in sessions at the European Science Open Forum (ESOF, Copenhagen, June 2014) introduced delegates to “Kylie the fish” & the story of the EC-funded project PROteINSECT; an imaginative approach to ensure the science made a lasting impression (see pic)!

Rhonda Smith, Director of Minerva, explains, “Every scientific research project has a story to tell – a beginning (the hypothesis), a middle (the methodology) and an end (the results) – and the human brain is wired to respond to stories, so interpreting and communicating data in this novel way can maintain the audience’s interest and secure a lasting impact.”

Minerva also hosted two ESOF master classes on ‘Engaging the Citizen in Science’.  These informal, interactive workshops were packed full of case studies and advice, to encourage delegates to think about how, why and when we should involve citizens in science, from researchers’ social and political obligations to the benefits of crowdsourcing.