Let science be told: A review of ideas for storytelling in science communication

Authors

  • Aleida Rueda Press Officer at the Center of Complex Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • Cecilia Rosen Press Officer at the Institute of Cellular Physiology (IFC), National Autonomous University of Mexico.
  • Javier Crúz-Mena Science Journalism Unit of the General Directorate of Science Outreach (DGDC), National Autonomous University of México.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.14.26522

Keywords:

storytelling, science communication, narrative, science journalism, emotions

Abstract

There is a rich literature on storytelling in public science communication, mostly advancing the premise that it helps in telling science to the public. We present here a summary of results from a review of ideas on the subject guided by a set of questions about goals, techniques, and research. We found no consensus on the notion of what is a story, yet some useful approximations emerged. There are various goals driving the use of storytelling to communicate science, from engaging to creating emotions to favouring understanding. The structure of the stories appeared as a crucial element, and three types of structures are dominant. As a field in evolution, there are not many empirical studies, but the few we found appear promising. We conclude that there is ample opportunity for discussion and research regarding emotions, persuasion, understanding and innovation in the use of narrative concepts and techniques to better let the science be told.



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Author Biographies

Aleida Rueda, Press Officer at the Center of Complex Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Press Officer at the Center of Complex Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico. Journalist and science communicator. She has worked in press offices of scientific institutions for more than 10 years and as a freelance journalist for digital media in Mexico and abroad. In the last five years, she has taught several courses and workshops on narrative in science journalism.

Cecilia Rosen, Press Officer at the Institute of Cellular Physiology (IFC), National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Press Officer at the Institute of Cellular Physiology (IFC), National Autonomous University of Mexico. Researcher, teacher and journalist specializing in science, technology, innovation, health and environment, with 15 years of experience. She is communications coordinator at the Institute of Cellular Physiology at UNAM and professor of outreach and journalism at various higher education institutions.

Javier Crúz-Mena, Science Journalism Unit of the General Directorate of Science Outreach (DGDC), National Autonomous University of México.

Editor at the Science Journalism Unit of the General Directorate of Science Outreach (DGDC), National Autonomous University of Mexico. Physicist from UNAM, he began doing science journalism in 1993 in print, radio, TV and Internet. Since 2003, Editor in the Science Journalism Unit of Mexico’s National University, combining science journalism with research and teaching of public science communication.

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Published

2024-01-11

How to Cite

Rueda, A., Rosen, C., & Crúz-Mena, J. (2024). Let science be told: A review of ideas for storytelling in science communication. Metode Science Studies Journal, (14), 151–157. https://doi.org/10.7203/metode.14.26522
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Issue

Pieces of science (vol. 14, 2024)

Section

Storytelling. Science through stories

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