La science est une culture - comprendre, vivre, raconter

Presentation

The climate communication project Dear2050 developed an in-depth residency format that allows scientists to closely collaborate with artists to present their findings. The resulting art and science exhibitions successfully manage to attract non-scientific audiences by not simply representing scientific content but translating it to a visual format and adding layers of emotion and understanding that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. We look at the learnings of the first residency project and talk about how science communication can be individually adapted to the specific needs of research groups, and we highlight why scientists benefit from working with artists and vice-versa, and why the depth of this format is important for successful science communication.

Presentation

The CERN Science Gateway offers tours, exhibitions, workshops, and science shows for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. In a research center that continuously pushes the boundaries of physics, developing such a program comes with many challenges: how can we make particle physics accessible to such a diverse audience? This presentation explores various techniques for transforming abstract scientific concepts into engaging narratives and interactive experiences. Like following a recipe, it involves balancing metaphors, interactivity, and emotions to spark curiosity without compromising scientific accuracy—then letting it simmer and carefully observing the audience’s reactions. Through concrete examples, this talk illustrates how storytelling and staging can turn complex topics into immersive and enriching experiences, bringing science to life and inspiring future generations.

Presentation

In an age of information overload, Free from Fear (SNSF Agora) proposes a different way to earn the public’s attention – not through louder messaging, but through deeper connection. This participatory project on dementia moves beyond top-down knowledge transfer to create space for open dialogue rooted in lived experience. Across five public events, each exploring a specific theme, informal caregivers participate not just as audience members but as experts. Their personal testimonies do more than illustrate research findings; they embody them, translating evidence into understandable, relatable, and relevant human stories. In a communication landscape often shaped by marketing logic, Free from Fear experiments with modesty as a strength: listening before explaining, sharing space rather than owning it. How can humility itself become an attention-worthy stance?

Presentation

At the planetariums of L’ideatorio, the Science et Cité hub in Italian-speaking Switzerland, scientific data becomes narrative— and at times, even emotion. Drawing on years of experience developing planetarium shows and educational programs for schools and the general public, we will share what we’ve learned about scientific storytelling that reaches people from all walks of life. While scientific facts are fixed, it is up to scientific mediators to choose which story to tell — offering interpretations that go beyond data and formulas. Therefore, at L’ideatorio, science is always presented as something deeply connected to the human experience: something that raises questions, helps us interpret reality, and engages in dialogue with other forms of knowledge. In other words, a science that is culture.

Presentation

India's cultural and religious diversity presents unique challenges and opportunities in the dissemination and understanding of scientific knowledge. Understanding the role of culture and religion while communicating science can help in tailoring messages that resonate with different communities, leading to better public engagement and informed decision-making. Pulse Polio Campaign of India remains one of the most successful health campaigns globally till date. This study explores how cultural factors and religion influence the efficacy of scientific information in India especially in the area of health by analyzing case studies and conducting interviews with science communicators. The research seeks to identify the strategies that could be employed to overcome the challenges faced by science communicators. The study’s insights could be useful for other culturally diverse nations.