EGU23-7280
EGU General Assembly 2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

From science to stories: different ways to engage new audiences

Carol Cotterill1, Maryalice Yakutchik2, Laura Guertin3, Marlo Garnsworthy2, Expedition 392 scientists4, and South Atlantic Transect IODP Expedition 390 and 393 scientists4
Carol Cotterill et al.
  • 1Columbia University, Marine and Large Programs, New York, United States of America (carol.cotterill.usssp@gmail.com)
  • 2Columbia University, US Science Support Program, New York, USA
  • 3Penn State Brandywine, Media, PA, USA
  • 4International Ocean Discovery Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA

Through poetry, quilting, illustration and a range of other media, we are reaching out to new audiences, showing scientific ocean drilling research in highly relatable and increasingly visual ways. There is mounting evidence that science-art collaborations provide a more emotional and human lens that allows for both a clearer view and deeper understanding of even the most dense and technical research – one that sidesteps off-putting jargon and ultimately reveals scientific methods and discoveries as inspiration in addition to information.

Through a series of case studies, we aim to show the range of ways that the U.S Science Support Program is using this art-science interface to create outputs from the JOIDES Resolution expeditions, part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). From 3.9.2. Haiku to storytelling through quilting; watercolor illustrations in books to photo journalism using video and photography, we are exploring how art can help us tell stories. Stories about cores of mud and rocks that engage with audiences in an altogether different way from the typical method of scientific journals and presentations.  In this paper we present some observations from the case studies, and ways we are moving forwards.