Sessions of special interest for Art 

Choose a scientific paper. Now, picture it. Really, picture it in your head - if it were hanging on the wall of a museum as a painting, what would be in it? Whilst it may seem like a pointless thing to do, this exercise is more relevant than ever. From graphical abstracts to illustrated magazine covers to online article banners… eye-catching graphics open many doors when it comes to successfully communicating science, both inside and (particularly) outside specialist circles.

So, if visuals play such a significant role in drawing audiences in (pun intended), why don’t more scientists utilise illustration as a way to break the barrier between them and the public? For many, the answer simply is “I can’t really draw”. But what if you could?

Using principles and examples from stylized illustration, this hands-on short course will guide you through the process of creating a scientific illustration from start to finish, and prove to you that you can, in fact, draw. If you wish to, you will be able to use the last part of the course to work on your first scientific illustration, inspired by a piece of work chosen by you. Whilst I am a digital illustrator, you may choose any media to work with, this is not a course for learning how to draw with pixels!

At the very least, you will never lose at Pictionary again ;)

In this interactive short course, participants will explore how the art of paper folding and
sculpture can serve as a powerful tool to overcome creative blocks and reignite inspiration.
Whether struggling with writer’s block, a lack of ideas, or the pressure to innovate, this hands-on
workshop demonstrates how engaging in tactile, meditative processes like origami and paper
sculpture can unlock new ways of thinking.
Using simple materials and techniques, attendees will learn to create unique paper forms that
encourage mindfulness, focus, and the flow of fresh ideas. The course will also highlight the
parallels between the iterative process of folding and the journey of idea development in
scientific research, emphasizing the importance of experimentation, flexibility, and patience.
No prior artistic experience is necessary; just bring an open mind and a willingness to explore! By
the end of the session, participants will leave with their own paper creations and actionable
strategies for navigating moments of creative stagnation in both academic and professional
pursuits.

Maps are used in Sci-Fi and Fantasy books for worldbuilding and adding perspective to a story. A lot of thought goes into their creation to help readers visualise how a character goes from point A to B. Famous examples include Tolkien’s map of Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings, George R. R. Martin’s Westeros in Game of Thrones, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and C. S. Lewis’ Narnia. Most of us have read books – or been in the audience during a scientific talk – and felt lost within a sprawling story, but maps help to forge an immersive experience.

This workshop aims to merge the fictional story world with science. During the workshop, we will be creating our own fantasy-style maps that relates to our scientific research. I will guide you, step by step, through hand drawing geographical features, settlements, or anything else that you’d like on your map. At the end of this workshop, you will have a unique and beautiful map of your research to decorate your offices with!

No prior artistry needed – come along for a well-deserved break from EGU chaos!

Can’t wait to see you there!

Modern-day challenges such as climate change, pollution, desertification, natural hazards, and species extinction demand urgent solutions. While science is often at the forefront of addressing these issues, art has traditionally been seen primarily as a source of entertainment. However, a growing community of artists and scientists is coming together to address these pressing concerns. Art, with its ability to evoke emotion, serves as a powerful tool for cognitive learning and delivering messages that reignite a sense of beauty and responsibility for the planet. Collaborations between scientists and artists are becoming essential in engaging people more deeply with environmental issues and promoting sustainable lifestyles. These interdisciplinary partnerships offer a unique way to communicate complex scientific topics to non-experts—particularly in areas like climate change, where public understanding can be fragmented or confused. Both scientific and artistic communities share a common interest and responsibility in raising awareness of planetary boundaries and the fragility of Earth's ecosystems. While traditional educational methods have addressed these challenges, science-art collaborations create new pathways for research and dialogue, offering a human and emotional context through artistic expression. This session aims to explore these interdisciplinary conversations through lectures, academic posters, and visual art displays. By symbiotically blending STEM and the arts, we hope to foster discussions on how these disciplines can collaborate to explore, communicate, and respond to the societal, economic, political, and environmental issues we face—ultimately driving more effective communication and action.

Games have the power to ignite imaginations and place you in someone else’s shoes or situation, often forcing you into making decisions from perspectives other than your own. This makes them powerful tools for communication, through use in outreach, disseminating research, in education and teaching at all levels, and as a method to train the public, practitioners, and decision-makers in order to build environmental resilience.

Games can also inspire innovative and fun approaches to learning. Gamification and game-based approaches add an extra spark of engagement and interaction with a topic. Gaming technology (e.g. virtual reality) can transport and immerse people into new worlds providing fascinating and otherwise impossible experiences for learners.

In this session we welcome contributions from anyone who has used games, gaming technology, and/or game-based approaches in their research, their teaching, or public engagement activities.

Visit www.games4geoscience.wordpress.com to learn more about the session.

Join us for an immersive evening of geoscience gaming as we delve into the depth of our planet's challenges and wonders by gaming with colleagues! This event provides games for many interests, including card games, board games, video games, and even Pictionary for you artistically inclined gamers.

The Games Night is associated with the "Games for Geoscience" session. We encourage you to explore this session as convenors and numerous presenters will have their captivating games available to play. It's also a chance to engage directly with the creators, gaining insights into the innovative approaches shaping the intersection of geoscience and gaming. We also highly recommend anyone who has developed their own game to bring it along.

This geoscience games night promises to be an unforgettable journey through the processes and decisions that shape our world, so bring your curiosity and competitive spirit as we explore the Earth in a whole new dimension!