STEAM Factory grant from Battelle helps advance science through storytelling
A picture might say a thousand words, but a good story is more persuasive than either a picture or facts and figures alone.
Storytelling and science are unlikely bedfellows, but a new grant from the Battelle Engineering, Technology and Human Affairs (BETHA) Endowment provides support for just such a pairing. The STEAM Factory, a grass-roots network in the Ohio State community that promotes creative and interdisciplinary collaboration between Ohio State departments and community members, won support for “The Scientist Next Door: Making STEM Accessible Through Storytelling” was one of five projects selected in Battelle’s 2020 award cycle.
What could storytelling have to do with more effective science, and why should we care?
It is, in fact, a story that began long, long ago. According to neuroscientists and anthropologists, early humans survived in part by learning from one another. Sitting around a fire, tribal members listened eagerly as other members revealed how they escaped danger or solved problems. Over time, human beings became hard-wired to be receptive to storytelling, reinforced by the release of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals help the point of a story to stick better than just facts: cortisol helps us form memories; dopamine keeps us engaged; and oxytocin helps maintain and deepen connections with others. Writers who can tap into the brain’s desire to find out how a story (a conflict or problem) is resolved can electrify a reader's curiosity and hold an audience’s attention--crucial in our fast-paced world.
Storytelling is important for the advancement of science because in order for the work of the scientist to be adopted into society, the message about its importance needs to cut through the noise to reach--and stick in the minds of--a variety of audiences.
“Translating scientific knowledge into terms that other scientists, funders, and the general public can understand is crucial for building connections and conveying the importance and relevance of the work.”
–STEAM Factory Director Lisa M. Hall
The value of the work must first of all be effectively communicated to potential research collaborators and potential funders. Then, to obtain backing from government, policymakers must be persuasively engaged. Storytelling also helps draw community interest to specific projects in order to increase community engagement with STEM and STEM outcomes, and can help inform and inspire the general public about specific innovations and their benefits to daily life.
Although there are distinct differences between writing a classic story and a scientific paper or grant proposal, the similarities are also surprising. A number of organizations now offer science-communication training, such as COMPASS, The Story Collider. Author and scientist Rafael Luna has made a mission out of helping scientists improve their messaging. “There are thousands of research articles in our respective fields. How do we get someone to read our publications? Storytelling provides a platform to learn, publish and share your science. Framing information into a compelling story can be a useful tool to disseminate your data and share your passion for science, to make a greater impact with your research and to advance your career," Luna said.
The STEAM Factory's "Making STEM Accessible Through Storytelling" project seeks to strengthen the science storytelling capacity within the Ohio State research community via professional development, live performance, video development and public outreach initiatives. Through these activities, this project will significantly benefit participating researchers as well as the general public. The project has the potential to have a substantial ongoing impact by further integrating science storytelling into existing university infrastructure and Columbus community.
STEAM Factory's first public event, "Stories from STEAM Factory" will stream live on November 18, 2020 on StoryCollider.org. Story Collider is a nonprofit that helps people from all walks of life -- from scientists to doctors to patients to engineers to teachers to firefighters -- tell their true, personal stories about science to reveal the human experience behind scientific work and how science is a vibrant and integral part of all of our lives. Sign up for the live event story collider.
BETHA grants support projects that examine the complex relationship between science and technology on society and cultural issues.
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A few resources regarding storytelling for scientists:
Luna, R.E., “The art of scientific storytelling: framing stories to get where you want to go.” Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 21, 653–654 (2020). nature website
Luna, Rafael E., The Art of Scientific Storytelling: Transform Your Research Manuscript with a Step-By-Step Formula, 2013 Amado International; EAN-13: 978–0615821993; ISBN-10: 0615821995.
Sohn, Emily, “Secrets to writing a winning grant,” Nature, 20 December 2019. article
Cron, Lisa, Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence. Ten Speed Press, 2012;
