Do You Hear the Science? Data Sonification as Method for Outreach

Sonification is the process of representing data through sound and can be an effective tool in bridging the gap between science and the public. Compared to vision, we engage in a more corporeal and spatial way with sound and music – low end bass sounds can be felt in the chest when played at loud volume; panning, effects, and filters can place sounds spatially even on a simple stereo headset; and with the use of multi-channel audio the listener can become totally immersed in the experience.

 

However, representation alone is not sufficient for the type of engagement we are seeking – the type that leaves a lasting impression on the audience. There must be audible ties to the data, tangible links to the facts and the story line of what is being conveyed. This can be done in many ways and does not have to be of a literal nature - Verfremdung techniques can be equally effective causing the listener to wonder why a particular set of sounds have been chosen to represent the data.

 

In this presentation I will give an overview of sonification as method and give examples of how subject matter and sound can be linked conceptually. Examples will be drawn from my own sonifications of auroras, Earth’s magnetic field, Kelvin-Helmholz instabilities in the magnetosphere, and space debris.

 

As an extension of the presentation, I will perform a live sonification created for the occasion. The data has not yet been chosen but will be geophysically relevant and have a visual representation to accompany it. Presentation and performance can be done within 10-15 minutes.