From Data to Stories: Human-Centered Podcasting for Hazard and Risk Communication

Effective hazard and risk communication requires not only the transmission of scientific knowledge but also the cultivation of curiosity, empathy, and purpose among future scientists. This contribution presents Behind The Science Podcast as a low-cost, scalable, and human-centered communication platform that advances resilience education by highlighting the personal stories, motivations, and challenges of scientists working on environmental and societal risks. The podcast is co-presented with the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), whose mandate to advance interdisciplinary resilience research, education, and public engagement makes it a natural institutional partner.

Rather than focusing solely on technical results, Behind the Science emphasizes the lived experiences behind resilience research—how scientists navigate uncertainty, field realities, and community engagement. This narrative-driven approach makes complex topics such as climate change, food security, fisheries sustainability, and disaster risk more relatable, particularly to students and early-career audiences. By foregrounding the human dimensions of science, the platform fosters early interest in resilience-oriented careers and encourages young listeners to see themselves as future contributors to solutions.

The podcast is produced in collaboration with The Philippine Agricultural Scientist, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, SciEnggJ, and UPRI, and is distributed via Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts, with short-form clips adapted for social media. With approximately 100–150 listeners per episode, 19,000 Facebook followers, 6,000 YouTube subscribers, 1,800 Spotify followers, and growing audiences on other platforms, it demonstrates the viability of digital media as a complementary educational tool.

We argue that UPRI’s role as a co-presenter strengthens the podcast’s credibility, interdisciplinary scope, and alignment with national resilience goals. By combining institutional expertise with accessible storytelling, Behind The Science shows how digital platforms can raise early awareness of hazards and inspire the next generation to engage with resilience as a deeply human and socially relevant challenge.