Stories

We open the January issue of the Civic Science Series with reflections from Civic Science Fellows and network partners who have fanned out across the globe in recent months to share their work and glean insights to inform civic science efforts, in the United States and abroad, going forward.

Greetings Civic Science Community,

As heartbreaking news comes from the fires in L.A. county, we are beginning the year with a note of collective care for all in our network who have been displaced and affected. In kind, we are also deeply mindful of so many bracing with uncertainty for the year ahead. 

In challenging circumstances, we are also grateful for seeds of hope: for a civic science community developing knowledge and action on many fronts to build inclusive paths to discovery and shared solutions. The transition from a deficit model of science engagement to an asset-based civic science approach is underway, and it will help prepare us to meet and shape the future together.

Examples and insights are coming from around the world, and in many areas of science. We recently have been inspired by reports coming from the Communicating Discovery Science Symposium in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The symposium built on the five-year Science Public Engagement Partnership, a collaboration of The Kavli Foundation and the United States Department of Energy, and several Civic Science Fellows and network members presented their research and projects. Below, the participating Civic Science Fellows share their reflections from the symposium, including:

• “On the other side of discovery and innovation are real people who are impacted by it and whose stories can inform the way science is done. My key takeaway is that engagement can be fun, informative, innovative, groundbreaking, and rigorous, all at the same time. It also reminded me that it can take so many forms and that there is no ‘right way’ to do it, which can be scary and liberating at the same time.” —Alicia Johnson, 2024–25 Rice University Baker Institute Civic Science Fellow

• “Trust is rebuilt when communities are invited to shape scientific narratives. When young people see themselves reflected in these narratives, they are more likely to view science as something that belongs to them. This symposium was a powerful call to action to listen deeply, honor cultural contexts, and make room for voices that have long been excluded from scientific conversations.” —Amml Hussein, 2024–25 Boston University Civic Science Fellow

• “The conference reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to connect people to science in meaningful ways. It also reaffirmed the importance of continuing to push the boundaries of how science is communicated, ensuring that it reaches underserved and disconnected communities, while also remaining engaging, accurate, relevant, and hopefully sometimes genuinely fun!” —Melanie Brown, 2021–23 UK–US Civic Science Storytelling Fellow

For those who would like a taste of the conversations, select videos offer a New Year’s infusion of inspiration. Hear about efforts to find new ways of communicating discovery science in South Africa and around the world, including from civic science network members Brooke Smith, Jeanne Garbarino, and Mónica Féliu-Mójer. Mónica underlines that the relevance of discovery science goes beyond utility: Among the evidence she shares is an unforgettable clip of Corey Gray, lead operator at the LIGO observatory, demonstrating how the frequency of gravitational waves matches the frequency of Siksika Nation ceremonial singing. In the hands of boundary-spanners, science can offer many points of relevance, including comfort and inspiration when we need it most.

Warmly, 

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Christopherson
President and Chief Executive Officer, Rita Allen Foundation

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Melanie Brown, 2021–23 UK–US Civic Science Storytelling Fellow

“The conference reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to connect people to science in meaningful ways.”

At the recent Communicating Discovery Science Symposium in South Africa, I had the opportunity to share insights from both my work as a science journalist and my recent Civic Science Fellowship. I gave two distinct talks: one on the role of comedy in science storytelling, based on my experience as the producer of the BBC science/comedy show The Infinite Monkey Cage, and the other as part of a panel on the meaning and future of civic science, where I discussed my approach to science storytelling and lessons from my fellowship at the University of Oregon.

Both sessions were well-received, sparking lively follow-up questions that indicated a strong engagement with the topics. Particularly rewarding was how these discussions continued beyond the formal sessions, spilling into informal conversations during the breaks—much like the best conversations at a party happening in the kitchen! This informal networking highlighted the enthusiasm and curiosity around the subject matter.

In the comedy session, questions focused on the risks and benefits of using humor in science communication, the power dynamics of humor, and ensuring scientific accuracy. Meanwhile, the civic science panel was fast-paced and dynamic, with many in the audience remarking that they hadn’t previously encountered the concept of civic science but found it immediately relevant to their work.

Rather than focusing on theoretical concepts, I shared practical examples from my journalism career, such as developing a civic science storytelling course for science and journalism students, creating Spanish-language science programming for rural farming communities, and spending a year investigating wildfires. The audience appreciated these hands-on examples and found the panel energizing, particularly as it showed how civic science principles can be applied creatively in storytelling.

A key challenge discussed was how to make science meaningful to marginalized communities, such as those living near the Square Kilometre Array of radio telescopes in South Africa. The theoretical nature of the science poses challenges in connecting with local populations, highlighting one of the central issues in civic science: how to make science relevant for people whose daily struggles seem worlds apart from academic research. This conversation, which included examples of some creative approaches being used, like hip-hop and storytelling based on traditional indigenous mythology, was especially thought-provoking.

I left South Africa inspired by the many innovative ways scientists and journalists are engaging with diverse audiences. The conference reinforced my belief in the power of storytelling to connect people to science in meaningful ways. It also reaffirmed the importance of continuing to push the boundaries of how science is communicated, ensuring that it reaches underserved and disconnected communities, while also remaining engaging, accurate, relevant, and hopefully sometimes genuinely fun!

Amml Hussein, 2024–25 Boston University Civic Science Fellow

“Trust is rebuilt when communities are invited to shape scientific narratives.”

There are moments that change the way you see the world. Attending the Communicating Discovery Science Symposium in Stellenbosch, South Africa, was one of those moments for me. The conversations there made me think differently about science communication: not as a way to deliver facts, but as a way to build trust by listening deeply and honoring the stories communities already hold. One of the most memorable aspects of the symposium was seeing South African communicators use culture, music, and oral traditions to bring science to life. It became clear that science is woven into the stories we tell, the traditions we pass down, and the ways we understand the world around us.

As part of a civic science panel focused on the evolving relationship between scientists, journalists, and communities, I shared my work in bridging scientific knowledge with community engagement, highlighting the need to prepare science communicators who can foster trust and inspire action through culturally relevant storytelling. The audience engaged thoughtfully, asking how civic science communication could address local challenges and build sustainable partnerships. Many expressed excitement about the Civic Science Labs model we use in the Civic Science Fellows program, especially its focus on systems change and community-driven solutions. They shared examples from their own contexts, reinforcing a global desire for more inclusive approaches to science communication.

A key theme of our discussion was the need to professionalize science communication. I shared our efforts to create formal educational pathways for civic science communicators to advocate for public health, environmental justice, and equity.  I also discussed the development of the Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication at Boston University’s College of Communication, which equips students with the tools to engage diverse audiences through storytelling, advocacy, and real-world applications.

The audience was particularly interested in the certificate program’s focus on mentorship and capacity-building through initiatives like our SciCommers Group and Mentoring Chats. Several attendees expressed interest in replicating these models in their own institutions to strengthen the development of civic science communicators.

The conversations that followed the panel were collaborative and energizing. Participants, particularly those from the Global South, highlighted the need for more professional opportunities in science communication, where community engagement is essential to addressing pressing health and environmental inequities. There was a shared sense of urgency—a recognition that the field is at a critical juncture and that we need to reimagine how science connects with society to advance equity and inclusion.

What stood out most to me was how the dialogue continued beyond the panel. Attendees approached me afterward to share ideas, offer potential collaborations, and continue conversations about strengthening the field. It became clear that there is a global desire to rethink how science is communicated and to equip communicators with the skills needed to tackle today’s most pressing challenges.

Hearing stories from South Africa, Puerto Rico, and other parts of the world deepened my belief that co-creation and cultural relevance must be at the heart of science communication. Trust is rebuilt when communities are invited to shape scientific narratives. When young people see themselves reflected in these narratives, they are more likely to view science as something that belongs to them.

This symposium was a powerful call to action to listen deeply, honor cultural contexts, and make room for voices that have long been excluded from scientific conversations. Leaving Stellenbosch, I felt a profound sense of hope. Across the globe, there is a growing recognition of the need for more equitable and inclusive approaches to science communication. I am grateful to be part of this movement and inspired to continue working toward a future where every community feels seen, heard, and valued in the scientific story.

Alicia Johnson, 2024–25 Rice University Baker Institute Civic Science Fellow

“On the other side of discovery and innovation are real people who are impacted by it and whose stories can inform the way science is done.”

As part of the Communicating Discovery Science Symposium, I was happy to have the opportunity to share my work, which exists at the intersections of regulatory policy, environmental synthetic biology, and community engagement. My presentation focused on the need to bridge the gaps between policy, communities, and scientists so that research can be equitable and impactful and realize its full potential.

Scientists are often told that they must be civically engaged but are unsure of where to start or how civics can impact the day-to-day of their work. My project aims to translate dense regulatory documents into accessible language for scientists so that they can begin to understand how the policy landscape impacts their work and vice versa. On the community side, there is a need for scientists to reckon with the harm that historically marginalized communities have suffered for the sake of science. Engagement is not as simple as “give people more facts, and they’ll listen to us.” Instead, engagement requires humility and an intentional seeking of common ground to build genuine, effective, and sustainable community engagement efforts.

The session prompted reflections on how to build an ecosystem where science benefits everyone, and it highlighted potential gaps to fill in this ecosystem. One question that came up was about the differences in communicating with scientists versus broader communities. This prompted a discussion about identifying the goals of communication and the opportunity to demonstrate the process of science by showing how basic discoveries lead to the “flashy” applied science.

Hearing international perspectives of community engagement was the highlight of the conference, especially all the ways that cultural traditions, music, art, and storytelling are used to communicate science. These avenues are an important reminder that on the other side of discovery and innovation are real people who are impacted by it and whose stories can inform the way science is done.

My key takeaway is that engagement can be fun, informative, innovative, groundbreaking, and rigorous, all at the same time. It also reminded me that it can take so many forms and that there is no “right way” to do it, which can be scary and liberating at the same time.

One challenge within civic science and science communication that was highlighted is the need to professionalize these efforts and have them meaningfully count toward tenure. In this context, I was especially excited to hear that science communication, civic science, and ethics education are being incorporated into university STEM curriculums and mentorship programs. For me, this is a sign that this work and the study of these intersections are being normalized. Hopefully, these efforts will open up more funding opportunities and help streamline career paths.

I left the conference feeling hopeful that science communication, policy, and ethics will soon no longer be considered “alternative” career paths, but instead will become a pillar of the way science is designed, taught, conducted, and communicated.