Photo credits: Therese Iacono for SCIP
By Iasmim Amiden dos Santos
The Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Metcalf Institute at the University of Rhode Island (URI) organized a workshop on inclusive and culturally responsive science communication for the third and final cohort of fellows in the SciComm Identities Project (SCIP). Held from January 6 to 10 at the University of Rhode Island’s main campus in South Kingstown, the workshop trained 14 fellows from diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds who share a strong commitment to science communication and inclusive community engagement.
The workshop featured sessions on strategic science communication with Knight Center research director Dr. Bruno Takahashi; STEM storytelling, podcasting, and interview techniques with associate professor Jason Jaacks (URI); dialoguing across differences with professor Dr. Sunshine Menezes (URI); and arts-based and theater approaches to communicating science and identities with Knight Center post-doctoral associate Dr. Nic Bennett. An inaugural session with storyteller Valerie Tutson focused on culturally responsive storytelling and included prompts and movement-based activities.
Photo credits: Therese Iacono for SCIP
During the week-long event, fellows explored their “inner” and “outer” cultural identities through photo collages and received training in understanding audiences, establishing goals and measurable objectives, identifying effective tactics, and conducting evaluations. They also learned to use sound recording equipment, design compelling interview questions, and practice deep listening. Sessions emphasized storytelling fundamentals, such as character, conflict, and narrative arc, and offered tools to enhance listening skills and foster dialogue across differences.
Reflecting on the workshop, Dr. Erika Diaz-Almeyda, an Assistant Professor of Biology at California State University, San Marcos, said: “This workshop provided me with the tools to elevate my science to a deeper level, enabling me to make a greater impact and engage in community-based research. I also had the opportunity to meet incredible new colleagues and make lasting connections.”
Beyond skill-building, the workshop fostered a strong sense of community among participants. Dr. Janani Hariharan, a Richard and Yvonne P. Smith Postdoctoral-to-Tenure Track Fellow in
Photo credits: Therese Iacono for SCIP
Biology at Bucknell University, shared: “I enjoyed the sense of community we built through the week, thanks to our shared values around science communication and identity. It was really empowering to work with a group who believed in the importance of identity for communication and were open to sharing and receiving from each other in open and vulnerable ways. The tools I gained at SCIP were also different from other trainings I’ve attended in the past, with a greater focus on strategy and storytelling techniques.”
Photo credits: Therese Iacono for SCIP
Fellows were eager to apply their learnings to community-based research. Dr. Deepak Joshi, an Assistant Professor and Precision Agriculture Extension Specialist at Kansas State University, stated: “The SCIP workshop was one of the most unique and inspiring experiences I’ve had, filled with emotions, science, and respect. As a new extension specialist, I’ve always been interested in podcast creation but lacked knowledge about its steps, ingredients, and how to connect each piece to make an impactful podcast. Now, I plan to use these skills in Kansas to effectively communicate science at the community level.”
This year’s fellowship focuses on the intersection of climate change and food-related issues. Fellows bring diverse expertise from their respective fields and personal experiences, including being immigrants and first-generation Americans. The next SCIP workshop will take place in July at Michigan State University.
_______________________________
The SciComm Identities Project is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants DRL-2115971 and DRL-2115522. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.